How to Read Literature Like a Professor Outline

As every student knows, writing academic essays and research papers is an integral role of the educational program. You lot create a thesis, support it using valid sources, and codify systematic ideas to environment information technology. However, not all students know that they will also have to confront some other type of paper known as a Literature Review in college.

Literature Review Definition

As this is a less mutual academic writing type, students often ask: "What is a literature review?" According to the definition, a literature review is a torso of work that explores various publications within a specific subject area area, and sometimes inside a set timeframe.

This type of writing requires you to read and analyze various sources that relate to the primary subject and present each unique comprehension of the publications. Lastly, a literature review should combine a summary with a synthesis of the documents information technology uses. A summary is a brief overview of the of import information in the publication; a synthesis is a re-organization of the information that gives the writing a new and unique pregnant.

Typically, a literature review is a role of a larger paper, such equally a thesis or dissertation. Yet, you may likewise be given it in the form of a stand-lonely consignment.

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The Purpose

The main purpose of a literature review is to summarize and synthesize the ideas that were created by previous authors, without implementing personal opinions or other additional information.

However, a literature review'south objective is not merely to list out summaries of sources; rather, information technology is to notice a central tendency or principle seen inside all of the publications. Simply like a inquiry paper has a thesis that guides information technology on rail, a literature review has a main organizing principle (MOP). The goal of this type of bookish writing is to identify the MOP and evidence how it exists in all of your supporting documents.

Why is a literature review of import? The value of such work is explained past the following goals it pursues:

Highlights the significance of the master topic within a specific subject area.
Demonstrates and explains the background of research for a particular subject matter.
Helps to find out the key themes, principles, concepts, and researchers that exist inside a topic.
Helps to reveal relationships betwixt existing ideas/studies on a topic.
Reveals the major points of controversy and gaps within a topic.
Suggests questions to drive further inquiry based on previous studies.

Here are some case topics to give y'all an idea of what a literature review can exist about:

Exploring racism in "To Kill a Mockingbird", "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn", and "Uncle Tom'due south Cabin"
Isolationism in "The Catcher in the Rye", "Frankenstein", and "1984"
Understanding Moral Dilemmas in "Offense and Punishment", "The Ruddy Letter", and "The Lifeboat"
Corruption of Power in "Macbeth", "All the Rex's Men", and "Fauna Farm"
Emotional and Concrete survival in "Lord of the Flies", "Hatchet", and "Congo"

How Long Is a Literature Review?

When facing the need to write a literature review, students tend to wonder "how long should a literature review be?" In some cases, the length of your paper'south trunk may be determined by your instructor. Be sure to read the guidelines advisedly to larn what is expected from you.

If you haven't been provided with any specific guidelines, it is recommended to keep your literature review around 15-xxx% of your entire newspaper. To requite you a rough idea, that is well-nigh 2-3 pages for a 15-page paper. In instance yous are writing a literature review as a stand-lonely assignment, its length should be specified in the instructions provided.

Literature Review Format: APA, MLA, and Chicago

The essay format you use should adhere to will be the citation style preferred by your instructor. Seek clarification from your teacher for several other components as well to found a desired literature review format:

How many sources should yous review and what kind of sources should they be (published materials, periodical articles, or websites)?
What format should you lot utilize to cite the sources?
How long should the review exist?
Should your review consist of a summary, synthesis, or a personal critique?
Should your review include subheadings or background information for your sources?

If you want to format your paper in APA style , and then follow these rules:

Employ 1-inch page margins.
Unless provided with other instructions, use double-spacing throughout the whole text.
Make certain you choose a readable font. The preferred font for APA papers is Times New Roman fix to 12-bespeak size.
Include a header at the summit of every folio (in capital letter letters). The page header must be a shortened version of your essay title and limited to fifty characters, including spacing and punctuation.
Put folio numbers in the upper right corner of every folio.
When shaping your literature review outline in APA, don't forget to include a title folio. This page should include the paper's name, the writer's proper noun, and the institutional affiliation. Your title must exist typed with upper and lowercase letters and be centered in the upper part of the folio; use no more 12 words and avoid using abbreviations and any useless words.

For MLA style text, apply the following guidelines:

Apply 1-inch page margins.
Double your spacing across the entire paper.
Set ½ inch indents for each new paragraph.
The preferred font for MLA papers is Times New Roman set to 12-signal size.
Include a header at the meridian of your paper's first page, or on the title page (note that MLA way does not require yous to have a title page, merely you are allowed to decide to include ane). A header in this format should include your full name; the proper noun of your instructor; the name of the class, class, or section number; and the due date of the assignment.
Include a running head in the tiptop correct corner of each page in your paper. Place it one inch from the page'south right margin and half an inch from the acme margin. Only include your last name and the page number separated by a infinite in the running caput. Do non put the abridgement p. before folio numbers.

Finally, if you are required to write a literature review in Chicago mode , here are the key rules to follow:

Set page margins to no less than 1 inch.
Use double spacing across the unabridged text, except when it comes to table titles, figure captions, notes, blockquotes, and entries inside the bibliography or References.
Do not put spaces between paragraphs.
Make certain y'all choose a articulate and easily-readable font. The preferred fonts for Chicago papers are Times New Roman and Courier, set to no less than 10-indicate size, but preferably to 12-point size.
A encompass (title) folio should include your full name, class information, and the date. Centre the cover page and identify information technology one tertiary below the superlative of the folio.
Place page numbers in the upper correct corner of each page, including the embrace page.

Structure of a Literature Review

How to structure a literature review: Similar many other types of academic writing, a literature review follows a typical intro-body-conclusion style with 5 paragraphs overall. Now, let's look at each component of the basic literature review construction in particular:

Introduction

You should direct your reader(s) towards the MOP (primary organizing principle). This means that your information must offset from a broad perspective and gradually narrow downwardly until it reaches your focal point.

Start by presenting your general concept (Corruption, for instance). After the initial presentation, narrow your introduction'due south focus towards the MOP by mentioning the criteria you lot used to select the literature sources you have chosen (Macbeth, All the King's Men and Animal Farm). Finally, the introduction volition end with the presentation of your MOP that should directly link it to all iii of the sources of literature.

Body Paragraphs

Generally, each body paragraph will focus on a specific source of literature laid out in the essay'south introduction. As each source has its ain frame of reference for the MOP, information technology is crucial to structure the review in the most logically consistent fashion possible. This ways that the writing should either exist structured chronologically, thematically, or methodologically.

Chronologically

Breaking down your sources based on their publication date is a solid way to go along a correct historical timeline. If applied properly, it can nowadays the development of a sure concept over fourth dimension and provide examples in the form of literature. However, sometimes there are better alternatives we can use to construction the body.

Thematically

Instead of taking the "timeline arroyo", another option tin can exist looking at the link between your MOP and your sources. Sometimes, the main idea volition simply glare from a piece of literature. Other times, the author may have to seek out examples to bear witness their point. An experienced author volition usually present their sources by club of strength. For instance, in "To Kill A Mockingbird", the entire novel was centralized around racism; in "The Adventures of Blueberry Finn", racism was one of many themes.

Methodologically

Equally made obvious past the terminology, this type of structuring focuses on the methods used to present the fundamental concept. For example, in "1984", George Orwell uses the constabulary-and-order approach and shows the dangers of a dystopia for a social species.

In "Frankenstein", Mary Shelley exposes the graphic symbol's physical traits equally repulsive and horrifying, forcing him to suffer in an isolated surroundings. By showcasing the various methods used to portray the MOP, the writer tin compare them based on things similar severity, ethicality, and overall touch on.

Conclusion

After presenting your findings in the body paragraphs, there are 3 final objectives to complete in the essay's conclusion. Kickoff, the author should summarize the findings they have made or found in other words, and briefly respond the question: "What accept you learned?"

After discussing that information, the next stride is to present the significance of the information in reference to our current world today. In other words, how can the reader accept the information and apply information technology to today's society? From that bespeak, we stop off with a breadcrumb trail.

As the author, you want to leave the readers' trail of idea within the actual essay topic. This provides them with a means of further investigation—meaning that the reader may consider where the discussion will get next.

Writing an Outline for a Literature Review

Students often underestimate the importance of planning the structure of their papers in accelerate. All the same, this is non a wise arroyo. Having a rough APA literature review outline (or other style outlines) will non only help you follow the right format and structure, merely will also make the writing process simpler and help ensure that yous include all of the important data without missing annihilation.

How to write a literature review outline: As you lot already know from the Construction section of this guide, every part of your literature review performs its ain of import role. Respectively, yous should create your outline while keeping the general introduction-body-conclusion structure in mind and ensuring that each section meets its own objectives. However, it is of import to remember that a literature review outline is slightly different from outlines of other types of essays because it does not provide new information. It focuses on existing studies relevant to the main topic.‍

Hither is a literature review outline example on the subject of the Ebola virus to help you lot get it right:

Introduction

Introduce the general topic. Provide groundwork data on the Ebola virus: genome, pathogenesis, transmission, epidemiology, treatment, etc.
Shape the master research question: What is the potential role of arthropods (mechanical or biological vectors) in the distribution of the Ebola virus?
Methodology: For example, the information was searched through X databases to find relevant research manufactures about the Ebola virus and arthropods' role in its spreading. The data was extracted using a standardized class.
Expected outcomes
Overall trends in the literature on this topic: While the natural reservoir of the virus is still not known with certainty, many researchers believe that arthropods (and fruit bats, in detail) pay a meaning office in the distribution of the virus.

Body

Subject i: A brief overview of the particular piece of literature in general terms; an analysis of the key aspects of the study; a review of the enquiry questions, methods, procedures, and outcomes; and an overview of the strong and weak points, gaps, and contradictions.
Field of study ii: A cursory overview of the particular slice of literature in general terms; an analysis of the fundamental aspects of the study; a review of the research questions, methods, procedures, and outcomes; and an overview of the potent and weak points, gaps, and contradictions.
Bailiwick 3: A brief overview of the particular piece of literature in general terms; an analysis of the key aspects of the study; a review of the inquiry questions, methods, procedures, and outcomes; and an overview of the strong and weak points, gaps, and contradictions.

Decision

Indicate the relationships between the pieces of literature discussed. Emphasize key themes, common patterns, and trends. Talk near the pros and cons of the different approaches taken past the authors/researchers.
State which studies seem to exist the virtually influential.
Emphasize the major contradictions and points of disagreement. Define the gaps all the same to be covered (if any).
If applicative: define how your own study will contribute to further disclosure of the topic.

Hopefully, this sample outline will help y'all to structure your own newspaper. However, if you experience like you lot need some more advice on how to organize your review, don't hesitate to search for more literature review outline examples in APA or other styles on the Web, or simply enquire our writers for assist.

How to Write a Good Literature Review

Whether y'all are writing a literature review within the framework of a big research project (eastward.g. thesis, dissertation, or other) or equally a stand up-alone assignment, the arroyo you should take to writing by and large remains the same.

At present, as you lot know about the general rules and accept a basic literature review outline template, allow's ascertain the steps to take to handle this task correct:

Stride i: Identifying the Topic

This is probably the only matter you lot may approach differently depending on whether your literature review comes within a enquiry newspaper or a split up assignment altogether. If you are creating a literature review as a part of another piece of work, you need to search for literature related to your main research questions and problem. Respectively, if y'all are writing it as a stand up-alone chore, you will have to option a relevant topic and central question upon which yous will be collecting the literature. Earlier in this guide nosotros suggested some engaging topics to guide your search.

Footstep two: Conducting Inquiry

When yous have a clearly divers topic, information technology is time to start collecting literature for your review. Nosotros recommend starting past compiling a list of relevant keywords related to your primal question—to brand the entire research process much simpler and help yous find relevant publications faster.

When you have a list of keywords, use them to search for valid and relevant sources. At this indicate, be sure to apply simply trusted sources, such as ones from university libraries, online scientific databases, etc.

Once yous have constitute some sources, be certain to define whether or not they are really relevant to your topic and enquiry question. To save you time, you tin read abstracts to get general ideas of what the papers are about, instead of the whole thing.

Pro Tip: When you finally find a few valid publications, take a look at their bibliographies to notice other relevant sources besides.

Step 3: Assess and Prioritize Sources

Throughout your enquiry, you lot will likely find plenty of relevant literature to include in your literature review. At this signal, many students brand the mistake of trying to fit all of their collected sources into their reviews. We suggest looking at what y'all've collected once more than, evaluate the available sources, and select the about relevant ones. You nearly likely won't be able to read everything yous observe on a given topic and so be able to synthesize all of the sources into a single literature review. That's why prioritizing them is important.

To evaluate which sources are worth including in your review, keep in heed the following criteria:

Brownie;
Influence;
Novelty;
Innovation;
Key insights;
Relevancy.

Furthermore, as you read the sources, don't forget to have notes on everything yous can comprise into the review later. And exist sure to get your citations in identify early. If yous cite the selected sources at the initial stage, you will find information technology easier to create your annotated bibliography afterward on.

Stride 4: Identify Relationships, Key Ideas, and Gaps

Before y'all can motility on to outlining and writing your literature review, the final step is determining the relationships between the studies that already exist. Identifying the relationships will help you lot organize the existing cognition, build a solid literature outline, and (if necessary) indicate your own enquiry contribution to a specific field.

Some of the key points to keep an eye out for are:

Main themes;
Contradictions and debates;
Influential studies or theories;
Trends and patterns;
Gaps.

Here are a few examples: Common trends may include a focus on specific groups of people beyond dissimilar studies. At that place may be increased interest among most researchers in sure aspects of the topic in terms of primal themes. Contradictions may include some disagreement apropos the theories and outcomes of a report. And finally, gaps about often refer to a lack of inquiry on certain aspects of a topic.

Step five: Make an Outline

Although students tend to neglect this stage, outlining is one of the about important steps in writing every academic paper. This is the easiest mode to organize the trunk of your text and ensure that y'all haven't missed annihilation important. Besides, having a rough idea well-nigh what you are going to write about in the newspaper will help you get information technology right faster and easier.

Earlier in this guide, we already discussed the bones structure of a literature review and gave you an example of a good outline. At this stage of the workflow, yous can apply all of the knowledge y'all've gained from the states to build your own outline.

Footstep 6: Motion on to Writing

Having constitute and created all of your sources, notes, citations, and a detailed outline, you tin finally get to the writing part of the process. At this stage, all you demand to practise is follow the plan you've created and keep in mind the overall structure and format defined in your professor's instructions.

Step 7: Adding the Concluding Touches

Most students brand a common mistake and skip the final stage of the process, which includes proofreading and editing. We recommend taking enough fourth dimension for these steps to ensure that your work will be worth the highest score. Do not underestimate the importance of proofreading and editing, and classify enough time for these steps.

Pro Tip: Before moving on to proofreading and editing, exist sure to set your literature review aside for a day or two. This will give you a chance to accept your mind off of it and then be able to get back to proofreading with a fresh perspective. This tip will ensure that you won't miss out on whatsoever gaps or errors that might be present in your text.

These steps will help you create a top-notch literature review with ease! Desire to become more communication on how to handle this torso of work? Here are the top 3 tips you demand to continue in listen when writing a literature review:

Skillful Sources
When working on a literature review, the most of import thing any author should keep in mind is to detect the all-time possible sources for their MOP. This means that while doing initial research, you should select and filter through about 5-10 different options. The stronger a piece of literature showcases the central signal, the meliorate the quality of the unabridged review will exist.
Synthesize The Literature
Make sure to structure the review in the about constructive mode possible, whether it be chronologically, thematically, or methodologically. Understand what it is yous would similar to say exactly, and structure the source comparison accordingly.
Avoid Generalizations
Remember that each piece of literature volition approach the MOP from a dissimilar bending. As the author, make sure to present the contrasts in approaches clearly and don't include general statements that offer no value.

Literature Review Examples

Y'all can find two well-written literature reviews by the EssayPro writing team beneath. They volition help y'all understand what the final production of a literature review should ideally wait like.

The commencement literature review compares monolingual and bilingual language conquering skills and uses diverse sources to prove its indicate:

The second literature review compares the impact of fear and hurting on a protagonist's overall evolution in various settings:

Both reviews will help you sharpen your skills and provide good guidelines for writing loftier-quality papers.

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