Writing Your Literature Review

Created by staff at the OLLU Mary Francine Danis University Writing

Center

What Is a Literature Review?

A literature review (or review of literature) is an essay that introduces readers to the key sources on a topic or a question. It’s like a guided tour of the key sources on a topic.

Why Do We Write Literature Reviews?

• Establish credibility.

• Analyze existing sources.

• Show connections among previous studies.

• Provide foundation for new research.

Literature Review, Sample Page

Literature Review, Link to Sample Paper

Sample APA papers: Literature review. Online Writing Lab (OWL):

http://faculty.mwsu.edu/psychology/Laura.Spiller/Experimental/sample_apa_style_litreview.pdf

Literature Review vs. Research Paper

• Similarity: in both, you accumulate sources to help you and your readers understand a topic.

Literature Review vs. Research Paper

• Research paper

– Clear window

– Focus on topic: view it through the sources

• Literature review

– Stained glass window

– Focus on sources themselves: key ideas; quality, value

Literature Review

vs. Annotated Bibliography

• Similarity: in both, you summarize the sources and comment on their value.

• Difference:

– Annotated bibliography: list of sources with brief comments.

– Review of literature: an essay, with developed paragraphs and transitions.

Packing for Trip into LitRevLand (1)

• Plan backwards and start early.

• Brainstorm.

• Create guiding question.

• Seek librarians’ help.

Packing for Trip: Creative Searching

– Look at a dictionary or thesaurus for synonyms.

– Look at References or Works Cited in the articles you find.

– Look for a few “extra” sources; don’t stop with the minimum.

Packing for Trip: Reading & Note-Taking

• Read articles more than once.

• Print articles for easy reference and annotation.

• Make notes. – On copies

– On separate sheets of paper

– On synthesis matrix (see next slide)

• Look for keywords: thesis, main point, methodology, strategy, key, etc.

• Highlight very short quotes that you might use.

Synthesis Matrix

http://www.ncsu.edu/tutorial_center/writespeak/PDF%20Handouts/synthesis%20matrix.pdf

Source #1 Source #2 Source #3 Source #4

Main Idea #1

Main Idea #2

Create a Tentative Map

• Order of Sources

– Possibly chronological, but not necessarily

– Sample paper from Ashton (n.d.): • Response to mentally ill

people

• Reduction of fear and rejection through contact

• Ways to arrange contact for best effect

Organizing Your Review: Introduction

• Introduction – Identify topic

– Identify trends • General directions

• Conflicts

• Gaps

• New problem or perspective

– Give overview • Your point of view, using third

person

• Your criteria (expectations, standards) for analyzing and evaluating sources

• Your organizational plan for the review

Organizing Your Review: Body

– Discuss each source • Main point

• Support

• Value

– Show connections among the sources • Similarities

• Contrasts

– Use transitions to maintain the flow

• See guide and sample in William Ashton’s piece, “Writing a Short Literature Review”:

http://www.york.cuny.edu/~washton/student/Org-Behavior/lit_rev_eg.pdf

Conclude Your Review

• Let readers know that you’re wrapping up the essay, not just stopping.

• Remind readers of key ideas.

Use Resources for APA

• EasyBib

– OLLU / Sueltenfuss Library / Citation Tools

– http://www.ollusa.edu/s/1190/ollu-3-column.aspx?sid=1190&gid=1&pgid=2695

• Purdue OWL

– http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/section/2/10/

Review Your Review! • Writing Center

– Make an appointment ahead of time using WC Online! Register a profile at https://ollusa.mywconline.com using your school email address and your same password for your email. Log in and schedule appointments at your convenience.

– Call or email for assistance with WC Online: 210-431-4199; writing@ollusa.edu

• Smarthinking – myOLLU / Application Links

What Else Should You Remember?

• Keep your readers in mind.

– Use language that YOU understand.

– You’re the tour guide, helping readers understand a portion of the field.

• Allow time for revising!

References

• Ashton, W. (n.d.) Writing a short literature review. Retrieved from http://www.york.cuny.edu/~washton/student/Org-Behavior/lit_rev_eg.pdf

• Learn how to write a review of the literature. (2012). The Writer’s Handbook. University of Wisconsin-Madison. Retrieved from http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/ReviewofLiterature.html

• Paiz, J. M., Angeli, E., Wagner, J., Lawrick, E., Moore, K., Anderson, M., . . . Keck, R. (2013). APA formatting and style guide: General format. Retrieved from http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/

• Remillard, G. (2013). APA style 6th edition guides/Sample papers/Templates. Retrieved from http://www.academia.edu/1747981/APA_Style_6th_Edition_Guides_Sample_Papers_Templates

• Writing a literature review and using a synthesis matrix (2006). Writing & Speaking Tutorial Services. North Carolina State University. Retrieved from http://www.ncsu.edu/tutorial_center/writespeak/PDF%20Handouts/synthesis%20matrix.pdf