Easy guide on how to successfully write a literature review

What is Literature Review?

To successfully start writing one, first of all, we need to figure out what is a literature review and ways to compose it. In short, a literature review is a comprehensive research on literature sources in the particular field of knowledge; it discloses the current situation in the particular area of study through in-depth analysis of various publications on the given topic. Literature reviews serve as a foundation for any type of scientific research. It can be included in both graduate and post-graduate scholarly papers, such as a thesis, an article, a research proposal, and to stand on its own as a separate assignment.

Tips and Tricks: In a quest on how to do a literature review, keep in mind that finding examples could be advantageous. Depending on your academic field, there could be some specific details to writing a paper, so it is always nice to read any related bodies of work.

The Main Purpose for Students

The general aim of the literature review is to assure an analytical foundation for further research or to show student’s familiarity with a given topic. However, it should go beyond the descriptive stage and provide critical analysis, outlines, and data clarification. It would help if you also described relations between stated literature sources while specifying their particular relation to your sphere of study.

There are numerous beneficial points in writing a literary review, and here are several key features:

It can help demonstrate insight into your study area, the way you navigate and analyze data related to the given topic. It identifies methods, tools, and research that could be useful in further studies;
It gives a perspective on your own research and its place in the wider field of scientific knowledge;
It helps to fill in any gaps in your individual comprehension of the topic, as well as in general scientific discourse;
It lists sources and people that work in the same area, which could help gain additional contacts or push your research in the definitive direction;
It helps to prevent duplication in your research.

Structure of Writing Literature Review

How to write an essay? Like any other essay, a literature review has a definitive structure that should include an introduction, main body, and conclusion.

The introduction serves as a gate into your research topic. It should define the main theme and introduce appropriate sources; it should explain the structure of your review, state your reasons, and articulate what is included in your research and what is not.
The main body (sometimes also middle body) primarily consists of the literature being organized according to the topics; here, you should also indicate the relationships between the wider area of studies and your particular issue, as well as to narrow the focus from the general picture to your area of interest.
The conclusion is the final stage of your paper. It should provide a synopsis of the main aspects in the reviewed literature, connect your project to the existing studies, point out any gaps and discrepancies in current research.

Tips and Tricks: To better grasp what your essay should be like, you can search for templates and samples online. It is also quite useful, especially if you have troubles in the early composing stages of your research, to build a simplistic “skeleton” of your future paper by writing a plan which highlights main points. Later on, it would be much easier to write a body of text by following these easy guidelines.

How to Write a Literature Review?

With so much information and sources, it is easy to get lost and feel warned out. To start your writing, just comply with this straightforward algorithm.

Develop a research plan for you to understand the aims and goals of your assignment. Choosing some key aspects such as phrases and words to search for may also help. Don’t forget to include synonymic terms to improve your search results.
Define your search sources. Think about primary places you can search for the information. It could be online platforms, scientific journals, local libraries, and various databases. Almost all articles are being published online nowadays, so the Internet is still the main search field. You can also ask your teacher for advice or any specialist in your field.
Don’t be afraid to try even what might seem like a strange place for research, such as Youtube, for instance. Many universities publish their video lectures there. Stay creative and search newspapers, discussion boards, conference papers.

Tips and Tricks: Don’t overwork yourself. Make pauses and rest. There are special apps available for download to expand your efficiency, such as Focus Booster. They work as timers that remind you to take a 5-minute break every now and then. Statistics prove that this way, your brain will show better capability for concentration and long hours of active work.

Format and Style

Now let’s dive into the literature review format, concentrating on the APA style. APA literature review should include:

12 pt. Times New Roman font;
Page header on every page in capitals, consisting of the page number on the right and shortened (under 50 characters) title of your work on the left;
Standard-sized paper with margins on all sides;
Four major sections: title page, abstract, main body, references;

Note: title page should include a title itself, your name, institution you are studying in abstract should be 150-250 words, include page header, summary and key points of your work including conclusions and future possible research development.

References should go at the end of your paper as you quote some source in the main body of text; the title of this page should say “References” and be placed at the middle top of the page.

Examples:
Single author: Berndt, T. J. (2002). Friendship quality and social development. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 11, 7-10.
Two authors: Wegener, D. T., & Petty, R. E. (1994). Mood management across affective states: The hedonic contingency hypothesis. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 66, 1034-1048.
Numerous authors (after the 6th name use ellipses): Miller, F. H., Choi, M. J., Angeli, L. L., Harland, A. A., Stamos, J. A., Thomas, S. T., . . . Rubin, L. H. (2009). Website usability for blind and low-vision users. Technical Communication, 57, 323-335.

How Can TypeMyEssays Help You?

If all of the aforementioned things still confuse you, there is always a better way! Go to our website for qualified help with tough assignments. No matter what kind of literature review or any other academic paper, you can find help there. You will certainly save a lot of time and nerves while we are providing the best service possible. It is especially relevant for people with a thesis coming up. Having so much information on your hands could be frustrating. By completing at least some part of this huge job, TypeMyEssays, a website that types an essay for you online, can make your academic life much easier.

Conclusion

While writing any kind of academic assignment could be stressful, it is certainly not an impossible task. Don’t forget to take occasional breaks, choosing topics and sources properly, and sticking to critical thinking. Check our critical thinking paper writing service to learn more about how to write a critical thinking essay. Here some extra things that can keep you sane while writing a literature review:

Make a step by step scheme of actions and research;
Focus on structure and formatting first;
Don’t spread out – deal only with literature from your study field;
Give a wide perspective of a state of arts in the given area of knowledge, but then narrow it down to your particular issues;
Be analytical!
Point out difficulties and confusions in the current state of studies in a given topic
connect your paper to the general scientific discourse;
Explain why your research is relevant;
Prepare to have a couple of drafts;
Do a little writing every day;
Don’t push yourself too hard; remember – it is just to show your cognition of a given topic. You can do it!
Don’t forget to rest!