26 Literature Review
Write a literature review of approximately 1000-1200 words that provides an overview and synthesis of the major writings on a particular topic. Locate and analyze 8-10 relevant scholarly sources to include in your literature review. Be aware that this is a very short literature review, using relatively fewer sources than normal for a literature review; you’ll want to choose a pretty narrowly focused topic!
The key is comprehensively summarizing and evaluating the current state of knowledge on the topic based on the published literature. Your review should explain prevalent themes, findings, debates, theories, methodologies, and gaps or inconsistencies across the sources.
Introduction
Open with an introductory section that provides background on the topic, defines key terms, and describes the objectives and scope of the literature review. Your thesis statement for a literature review should forecast the themes/issues that the body paragraphs cover.
Body
The body should be organized by major themes, debates, methodologies, or other logical categorizations that emerge from analyzing the sources. Structure it something like:
Theme/Issue 1
- Summarize and analyze the key points made by various sources on this theme
- Compare and contrast differing perspectives or findings
- Evaluate strengths and weaknesses
- Note any gaps or limitations
Theme/Issue 2
- Summarize and synthesize the sources relevant to this theme
- Discuss agreements, disagreements, inconsistencies across sources
- Highlight important theories, methodological approaches, etc.
(Continue with other themes, debates, perspectives to organize your review)
Accurately summarize and objectively represent each source, but analyze patterns, tendencies, and relationships across the literature as a whole. Use transitions to convey connections and move between sources.
Conclusion
Summarize the overall state of knowledge as revealed by the literature review. Discuss major findings, prevalent views, ongoing debates, and areas that need further research. Evaluate strengths, shortcomings, and knowledge gaps of the current literature.
References or Works Cited
Provide a comprehensive list of all scholarly sources referenced, properly formatted.