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Literature Review

This guide will help you conduct and complete a literature review.

General Outline of a Literature Review

You will most likely get an assignment that tells you what to include in your literature review in addition to how many sources to use and the citation style. If you aren't sure what a literature review should include, follow this outline:

First, An Introduction 

  • State the topic or research question including any additional questions the literature may address

  • Tell the reader specific information about the sources you used and why you organized it a certain way (see our Organizing Your Literature Review page for ideas)

  • Consider

Then the Body 

  • Make sure your sources are sorted according to the organization style you chose in the introduction. These groupings will be the headers for your body

  • Paragraphs for each header sections should connect your sources 

  • Consider:

    • Focusing on the ways the literature tell its own story. Do not add your own interpretations at this point.
    • Looking for patterns and find ways to tie the pieces together. Do not list sources only.
    • Summarizing instead of quoting.
    • Including the most important and relevant sources to your topic, not everything you have read.

Then the Summary or Conclusion

  • Briefly state the main findings from the sources you reviewed

  • Point out how your questions were answered or not answered including what gaps exist in the literature 

  • Consider:

Finally the References 

  • Cite your sources in the appropriate citation style. Remember every source must have a citation!

From Example SOC200 Assignment by Prof. Gina Lam, Brown Univ. Literature Review Guide

Remember to: Integrate Your Voice into the Literature Review

It's important to use your own voice when writing a literature review. Watch this short video (5:49) to help you best use your voice in the writing.

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