Information on Writing a Literature Review
admin September 25th, 2008
A literature review talks about published material in a particular field and often information in a particular branch within a particular period.
1. Utilize evidence. A literature review is a type of academic research paper. The interpretation of the obtainable sources should be supported with evidence in order to show that what you state is valid.
2. Be selective. You should choose only the most significant points in every source to emphasize in your literature review. The kind of information that you select for mentioning must relate to the review’s concentration, whether it is chronological, thematic, or methodological.
3. Use citations sparingly. The survey nature of the work does not let for detailed quotes or in-depth discussion. Some brief quotes are normal, when you wish to highlight a point, or when what the author stated cannot be interpreted by other words. When you find yourself willing to put in more citations, you should check it with your instructor.
4. Synthesize and summarize. Remember to synthesize and summarize your sources within every paragraph and throughout the review. The authors recapitulate significant points of Hamilton’s study, but synthesize it by rewording the study’s implication and connecting it with their own work.
5. Stick to your own voice. When the literature review introduces others’ thoughts, your voice should remain center and front. You should weave references to some other sources into your own text and maintain your own voice by beginning and ending the part with your own thoughts and your own words. The sources maintain what you are saying.