Before diving into writing a literature review, it is essential to understand what it actually is. A literature review in the context of academic research is a critical analysis of the studies that have already been conducted on the topic you are focusing on. For example, if you are researching a specific novel, you will examine the findings and theories other scholars have applied to that work.
Theoretical Frameworks
Depending on the thesis format required by your university, theoretical frameworks may be included in the literature review or addressed under a separate heading. Theoretical frameworks are the specific lenses through which a scholar examines the work. For instance, if you study a story through a Marxist lens, Marxist theories and their elements used in the study will be discussed in this section.
What to Include in a Literature Review
1. Introduction
Write a brief introduction that summarizes the current findings in the field and sets the stage for the discussion.
2. Body
Discuss each dimension of the research systematically, starting from general findings and narrowing down to specifics. For guidance on ordering information, refer to 9 Methods of Ordering Information.
3. Research Gap
Highlight the research gap by identifying areas that previous studies have overlooked. Explain how your study aims to fill this gap.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Find and download relevant research papers using sources like:
- Libgen (Scientific Articles section)
- Google Scholar
- ZLibrary (Articles section)
- Organize papers into folders by keyword (e.g., the novel or topic you are working on).
- Repeat the process with other keywords until all relevant papers are downloaded and organized.
- Install Zotero on your computer and mobile device. Learn how to use it via a YouTube tutorial.
- Upload the organized folders to Zotero. Search for keywords to locate relevant papers quickly.
- Read 3–4 lines before and after the keyword in each paper to understand the context. Copy useful lines into a document (Draft 1), including page numbers, authors, and titles for reference.
- Organize the collected lines from Draft 1 into a new document (Draft 2) in a logical order, connecting ideas and grouping related points.
- Start writing your literature review in a new document (Draft 3). Summarize findings in the introduction, expand on them in the body, and conclude by identifying the research gap and your study's contribution.
- Revise your work, edit for errors, and finalize the document.
Extra Tips:
- Follow the formal styling requirements specified by your institute. For detailed guidance on citation styles and formatting, refer to this invaluable resource from Purdue University.
- Use cohesive devices to maintain the flow and avoid monotonous writing.
- Write clear, concise sentences and avoid ambiguity.
- Maintain objectivity by avoiding personal pronouns.
- Eliminate adjectives and adverbs unless absolutely necessary.
- Explore additional tools like NotebookLM and MyBib for assistance.
