One Paragraph Literature Review
In this paragraph, you will take stock of the sources that you have examined all together. Unlike the Annotated Bibliography, where you considered each source separately, this paragraph will be an overall view of the current state of research in your field. It will be helpful for you if you group the overall research into genres or categories, and discuss them in that way. For example, you may say: “Thus far, research in the field of W has primarily focused on the following broad categories: X, Y, and Z.” You can go on to describe each category. This paragraph can later be inserted directly into the opening pages of your research paper as you work to differentiate between what research already exists and the new knowledge you are are contributing in your research paper.
Example from a Literature Review
Literature Review Definition
A literature review identifies scholarly articles, books and other sources relevant to a topic of study, or area of research, providing a description, summary, and critical evaluation of each work. The purpose is to offer an overview of significant literature published on a topic.
For more information, please refer to the following websites:
- The Writing Center at UNC-Chapel Hill - Literature ReviewsThis handout will explain what literature reviews are and offer insights into the form and construction of literature reviews in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences.
- Temple University - Writing Literature ReviewsLiterature reviews are a crucial piece of the academic research project, though many writers may find themselves wondering why. To some, these lit reviews may seem like busywork or like a request for a book report, but a successful literature review is much more than that.
Suggested Resources
The Literature Review by Call Number: LB1047.3 .M33 2012Organized around a proven six-step model and incorporating technology into all of the steps, the book provides examples, strategies, and exercises that take students step by step through the entire process: Selecting a topic, Searching the literature, Developing arguments, Surveying the literature, Critiquing the literature, Writing the literature review.
How to Write a Thesis by Publication Date: 2011 (eBook)How to Write a Thesis provides an invaluable resource to help students consider, plan and write their theses. Chapter 3: Seeking Structure includes information on writing a literature review.
