4 TIPS for Writing a Literature Review's Intro, Body & Conclusion | Scribbr 🎓

Summary

Jessica from Scribbr guides on writing a literature review with a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. She advises summarizing and synthesizing sources, analyzing and interpreting findings, critically evaluating sources, and using well-structured paragraphs. For the conclusion, she suggests summarizing key takeaways and future research suggestions. Scribbr offers academic editing services to ensure a polished final paper.

Takeaways

• 😀 The structure of a literature review should include an introduction, body, and conclusion.
• 📝 The introduction should state the focus and purpose, with background context if it’s a stand-alone paper.
• 🔍 If it's part of a research paper or dissertation, restate the research question and highlight gaps in the literature.
• 📚 The body can be organized by theme, time period, or methodology, with subheadings to guide readers.
• 🔄 Summarize and synthesize sources by showing similarities and differences to create an overall argument.
• 🧐 Analyze and interpret the significance of the findings in relation to the broader literature.
• 🔍 Critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the sources you’re referencing.
• 🔗 Use well-structured paragraphs with clear transitions and topic sentences for cohesion.
• ✍️ The conclusion should summarize the main points, address gaps, and suggest future research opportunities.
• ✅ Proofread carefully, checking for informal language, passive voice, and repetitive phrasing before submission.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the introduction in a literature review?

The introduction of a literature review should clearly state the focus and purpose of the review. If it’s for a research paper or dissertation, the introduction should restate the research question and provide an overview of the topic. In a stand-alone paper, it should give background information, discuss the scope, and state the objective.

How can a literature review introduction highlight the relevance of the topic?

The introduction can emphasize the timeliness of the topic by mentioning recent studies or highlighting gaps in the literature, such as stating, 'while there has been much research on x, few researchers have taken y into consideration.'

What structure should be used for the body of a literature review?

The body can be divided into subsections, with each focusing on a theme, time period, or methodological approach. Subheadings can be used to organize these subsections.

What are the four key tips for writing the body of a literature review?

The four key tips are: summarize and synthesize information, analyze and interpret the research, critically evaluate the sources, and use well-structured paragraphs.

What is the difference between summarizing and synthesizing information in a literature review?

Summarizing involves giving an overview of the main points of a source, while synthesizing combines several sources to make an overall point, showing the similarities and differences between them.

How should you analyze and interpret research in a literature review?

You should add your own interpretation to the research and discuss the significance of the findings in relation to the broader literature, drawing conclusions or identifying trends.

What does it mean to critically evaluate sources in a literature review?

Critically evaluating sources means identifying and discussing the strengths and weaknesses of the studies. You should contribute your own opinion on how the literature addresses the topic.

What techniques can be used to write well-structured paragraphs in a literature review?

To ensure well-structured paragraphs, use transitions and topic sentences to draw connections, comparisons, and contrasts. This helps in maintaining cohesion in your writing.

What should be included in the conclusion of a literature review?

The conclusion should sum up the main takeaways. If the review is part of a dissertation, it should show how your research addresses gaps and contributes new knowledge. In a stand-alone paper, summarize the major findings and implications, and suggest future research.

What are some common issues to look out for when proofreading a literature review?

Common issues include informal or subjective language, repetitive phrasing, overuse of passive voice, and general grammatical errors. It's important to revise carefully to improve clarity and professionalism.