Introduction
This planner walks you through how to write a literature review of scholarly sources relevant to your research topic. Its purpose is to inform your audience of the research that has already been done on your topic. Your task is to present to your audience the nature of the existing scholarly conversation about your topic. You’ll want to avoid simply summarizing what your sources say. Instead, argue that they provide insight into the development of your research topic. Consider, as well, how they provide that insight.
Your literature review may be only one component of your assignment. You may be asked to situate your own argument within the scholarly conversation. Consult your assignment guidelines and instructor about the review’s scope and purpose.
Steps to Complete
Step 1: Understand the assignment and genre and gather your resources
Read the instructions carefully. Highlight the major questions being asked and the goals of the assignment. This resource provides a list of questions to consider about your assignment. If you have questions, ask your instructor during their office hours. You can also make an appointment with a writing consultant from the Judith Anderson Herbert Writing Center.
If you’ve never done this type of writing assignment before or would like a refresher, review the common expectations and features. Conduct a genre analysis, or look at samples (bottom of the page).
- Watch this video to learn handy tips for thinking through the writing process of a literature review.
For this project, gather your resources. They may include your assigned readings, your notes, and other sources for the project.
(This step should take 5% of your project time)
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Step 2: Find, read, and evaluate sources
Find secondary sources related to your topic. Use books, peer-reviewed articles, theses/dissertations, conference presentations/proceedings, or other reliable and relevant sources.
- Use OneSearch in the UT Libraries to find sources. Use keywords that are central to your topic. You’re encouraged to ask a librarian for help finding sources.
- If you’re taking a first-year composition course (English 101, 102, 112, 132, or 298), use the research guide that has been compiled by the Library. You can also read the Library’s research suggestions for a literature review.
- As you search for articles, read the abstract first. It will help you decide whether it’s a good fit for your paper.
Read your sources.
- As you read, annotate each source–take notes on key ideas, themes, and important passages.
- Tip: Annotation tools like PowerNotes help you keep track of your quotes and make notes on digital sources as you read them. (It also captures citation information!)
Evaluate the credibility of your sources.
- Once you’ve determined that a source may be useful for your annotated bibliography, make sure it’s credible. Use the Library’s guidelines or view their tutorial.
(This step should take 25% of your project time)
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Step 3: Organize your information
Plan out the structure of your literature review.
- You can use the BEAM/BEAT method to understand which type(s) of sources you have.
- Then choose how you’ll want to sort your sources for your outline. You can use one of the following structures (adapted from OWL Purdue’s Writing a Literature Review webpage):
- (1) Chronological: present them as progress that was made around your topic that happened in chronological order.
- (2) Thematic: present them as a conversation happening around specific themes relevant to your topic.
- (3) Methodological: present your sources according to the methodology used in their data collection (i.e. qualitative, quantitative, etc.).
- (4) Theoretical: organize your sources according to which theory(ies) they’re using as their major/underlying framework.
- Create your outline. This resource includes examples of different outline formats. Watch this demo about creating a traditional outline.
- Consider doing some focused freewriting to create a “zero-draft.” A zero-draft is a “first attempt to assemble thoughts related to your research topic or question. It is a more or less unstructured piece of writing that flows quickly from your own mind as you reflect upon your topic, your questions, and your reading.” This can be a helpful way to get your thoughts on paper without worrying about making them neat and organized.
This stage of the writing process is a great time to visit your instructor during their office hours. You can make an appointment with a writing consultant from the Judith Anderson Herbert Writing Center to sort through and clarify your ideas for the paper.
(This step should take 15% of your project time)
Continue with the step in the next box, or return to the Assignment Planners tool to start again.
Step 4: Write a draft
Using your outline and notes, write a first draft. The draft should include:
- an introduction with a statement explaining the purpose of your literature review;
- a body section with the organization you selected in step 3;
- reference to and explanation of the sources you’re reviewing;
- and a conclusion.
The following steps are listed in a suggested order. But feel free to approach them in whichever order will best help you with your project.
- Consider the most important background information your readers will need in your introduction to understand your review.
- For each body paragraph, write a topic sentence. The topic sentence should make your method of connecting and organizing your sources within that paragraph clear. To make your ideas within and between paragraphs connect, select appropriate transition words. How do your sources connect with, or speak to, each other?
- Think about various strategies for including supporting evidence.
- Use the BEAM/BEAT method to help you understand which types of sources you have.
- Summarize and/or paraphrase to condense source material in your own words.
- If you quote directly, be sure it includes three parts. This is sometimes called making a “quote sandwich.” Introduce the point you’re emphasizing, quote the relevant passage from your source, and then explain how the passage illustrates your current point and/or larger purpose. (i.e. the ways your sources are speaking to each other/your topic).
- Make sure you avoid plagiarism by acknowledging your use of others’ ideas and statements. Create your references page depending on the citation style you’re using e.g., MLA, APA, Chicago. Insert in-text citations consistent with the citation style that you’re using.
- Format the paper according to your instructor’s instructions (margins, font size, line spacing, etc.)
(This step should take 25% of your project time)
Continue with the step in the next box, or return to the Assignment Planners tool to start again.
Step 5: Get feedback
Get feedback from your instructor during their office hours, from the Judith Anderson Herbert Writing Center, or from a peer. Refer to the assignment guidelines and/or a rubric.
One effective way to review a draft yourself is to read it out loud. Another is to use the reverse outlining technique to help you identify areas for revision.
After receiving feedback or reviewing the draft on your own, write down at least 2-3 major things you need to revise. Rather than focus on sentence-level concerns, think more about things like
- how clearly you communicate the purpose of your literature review;
- the structure of your review;
- how you’re discussing the connections both between your sources and between your sources and your topic;
- and how you’re providing evidence from your sources to demonstrate those connections.
(This step should take 10% of your project time)
Continue with the step in the next box, or return to the Assignment Planners tool to start again.
Step 6: Revise
Revise as needed, based on the feedback you received.
- If you need to do further research in areas where you identified gaps in your review or your evidence, remember the Library’s resources for finding sources. Remember, you can always ask a Librarian for help.
- Look over these literature review guidelines to help make sure your draft is complete.
(This step should take 15% of your project time)
Continue with the step in the next box, or return to the Assignment Planners tool to start again.
Step 7: Finalize the project
Check the assignment instructions to make sure you met all the requirements for the content and formatting of your paper.
Proofread your work carefully. Remember the “read out loud” approach to reviewing your work. It can help you find things you might otherwise miss.
Double-check that you have cited all sources (ideas, information, paraphrases, and quotes) correctly. Ensure that your reference/bibliography/works cited page is accurate. See this resource on how to avoid plagiarism.
(This step should take 5% of your project time)
Continue with the step in the next box, or return to the Assignment Planners tool to start again.
Get Feedback on Your Work
Contact your instructor or make an appointment with the Judith Anderson Herbert Writing Center anytime during the process of working on your project! It’s always a good idea to seek out more information and feedback.
The main Assignment Planners page includes access to the planner tool and links to the steps for other types of writing projects.