Literature Review Writing

It is possible to have current, credible, authoritative, and reliable sources for research but fail to deliver high-quality or effective literature reviews. How then do you overcome this setback in literature review writing?

a)     Present strong evidence

Good literature review writing should be characterized by evaluation as opposed to summarizing. As such, just like you would state facts in your research paper and back them with facts, demonstrate that your interpretation is valid through presenting unquestionable evidence from your sources.

b)     Write your paper selectively

You must employ selecting skills in literature review writing. from each source, select the most important point, making sure that it is directly related to the research problem or question.

c)      Synthesize

You demonstrate synthesis of the literature you review by demonstrating or stating the significance of your source to the study.

d)     Sparingly use quotes

The last thing an evaluator would want to see in a research paper or a literature review writing is a paper dotted with quotes all over. Do not use so many of quotes or simply use unacceptable paraphrase in the place of quotes.

e)     Use acceptable paraphrase

A common mistake students make in writing a literature review is simply rearranging the order of words in a sentence or simply using synonyms. This is UNACCEPTABLE! Acceptable paraphrase requires that you demonstrate an aspect of synthesis; it is using your own words to express your understanding of a particular text. In fact, the wrong use of paraphrase can lead to the accusation of plagiarism, an academic crime.

f)       Let the reader feel your presence

Research focuses on building upon the already available body of knowledge. As such, as much as you will be referring to works done by other researchers, let the reader feel your contribution in the text, your contribution matters.