tips on writing a literature review

7/29/2019 Tips on writing a literature review

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Brainstorming

What you know about the topic. What you dont know. Questions you have. Initial thoughts on how to answer the question being asked. Write down phrases which summarize all of your thoughts about the subject, the

different questions and ideas youve had in your mind, and the areas and problems that

have been covered in your reading. Then look for similarities, and related concerns,

and group them together in whatever way makes sense to you. Then, see if you can

number these areas into an order.

Topic: identify the topic in an essay question. This is what, in the most general terms, the

essay should be about.

Focus: Detailed limitation or aspect of the topic. It tells you specifically what you should

write about.

Direction: Key direction word(s) or phrase(s) in the questions which instruct the writer to

deal with the topic in a certain way. Examples of these are: define, compare, critically assess.

View Point: The question may express a viewpoint. If it does, you have to decide what yourposition is on the issue and approach writing the essay from this stance.

Essay Structure

Introduction (Tell the reader what you are going to say)

Start broadly: overall theme of the paper Narrow: what is your approach to the topic? Summarize the arguments/points you are going to be making in the paper Last sentence: Thesis statement for the paper (The point of the paper) Tell us what you are going to say and how you are going to say it.


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Body paragraph (what you have to say)

Introduce idea (One point/argument may take several paragraphs) Discuss in relation to essay question. What is the point you are making in the paragraph? What evidence supports your point? Analyze it. Why is the evidence important? Why does it support the point of the paragraph? Keep to one idea per sentence.

Conclusion (Remind us of what you have just said)

Remind us of what you have just said (summarizing) and start more narrowly. Arguments/points you made to support your thesis. Restate the question and say how you answered it (concluding statement why your

thesis is correct).

What message do you want the reader to come away with? Maybe implications/predictions/ suggestions.

No new ideas or evidenceTips

Support your arguments and conclusions with evidence, why your interpretation isvalid than other alternatives.

In books, read introduction, conclusion and chapters name Explaining the evidence adds to the criticality. Adhere to title and answer question. It shows evidence of background reading/research/theory into practice doesnt just

describe, but analyses, explains and is critical

Enough points and sub-points to support your argument (choose the strongest). Each point has to be supported by evidence (article).


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Do not just accept what writers say. Question their ideas. What evidence do they use? Argue means to make a case for an idea or theory and to back it up with evidence.

Common problems

Not explaining the evidence. Not answering the question. Poor linkages between paragraphs. No introductory sentence in a paragraph. Poor linking between paragraphs or arguments. Too few sources.

No evidence to support statements of opinion. Making broad statements without supporting evidence.

Developing an argument

Essays should develop a line of reasoning that is supported by appropriate evidence and leads

to a conclusion. The line of reasoning should be precise, explicit, logical and clear. It should

indicate why your conclusion is valid and why you think it preferable to other possible

interpretations.

Critical analysis

Many arguments take place within a particular theoretical framework. Tutors will be looking

for evidence that you are aware of the theoretical implications of the argument you have

developed.

Appropriate use of evidence

Sound arguments are based upon evidence. Evidence may be drawn from the literature or

empirical data drawn from field experience. Good evidence is accurate and relevant.


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Evidence given should be balanced and not used simply to advance one particular line of

reasoning. Appropriate use of evidence may involve providing evidence that contradicts the

main line of reasoning.

Structure

Your written work must have a clear structure and one which organizes material into a

coherent whole.

Creativity and imagination

The very best written work shows signs of original thinking. This process may entail the

reappraisal of existing or presentation of new data to provide new insights into current ideas,

understandings and controversies.

tips on writing a literature review

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