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Writing a Literature Review

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A literature review is a document or section of a document that collects key sources on a topic and discusses those sources in conversation with each other (also called synthesis ). The lit review is an important genre in many disciplines, not just literature (i.e., the study of works of literature such as novels and plays). When we say “literature review” or refer to “the literature,” we are talking about the research ( scholarship ) in a given field. You will often see the terms “the research,” “the scholarship,” and “the literature” used mostly interchangeably.

Where, when, and why would I write a lit review?

There are a number of different situations where you might write a literature review, each with slightly different expectations; different disciplines, too, have field-specific expectations for what a literature review is and does. For instance, in the humanities, authors might include more overt argumentation and interpretation of source material in their literature reviews, whereas in the sciences, authors are more likely to report study designs and results in their literature reviews; these differences reflect these disciplines’ purposes and conventions in scholarship. You should always look at examples from your own discipline and talk to professors or mentors in your field to be sure you understand your discipline’s conventions, for literature reviews as well as for any other genre.

A literature review can be a part of a research paper or scholarly article, usually falling after the introduction and before the research methods sections. In these cases, the lit review just needs to cover scholarship that is important to the issue you are writing about; sometimes it will also cover key sources that informed your research methodology.

Lit reviews can also be standalone pieces, either as assignments in a class or as publications. In a class, a lit review may be assigned to help students familiarize themselves with a topic and with scholarship in their field, get an idea of the other researchers working on the topic they’re interested in, find gaps in existing research in order to propose new projects, and/or develop a theoretical framework and methodology for later research. As a publication, a lit review usually is meant to help make other scholars’ lives easier by collecting and summarizing, synthesizing, and analyzing existing research on a topic. This can be especially helpful for students or scholars getting into a new research area, or for directing an entire community of scholars toward questions that have not yet been answered.

What are the parts of a lit review?

Most lit reviews use a basic introduction-body-conclusion structure; if your lit review is part of a larger paper, the introduction and conclusion pieces may be just a few sentences while you focus most of your attention on the body. If your lit review is a standalone piece, the introduction and conclusion take up more space and give you a place to discuss your goals, research methods, and conclusions separately from where you discuss the literature itself.

Introduction:

• An introductory paragraph that explains what your working topic and thesis is
• A forecast of key topics or texts that will appear in the review
• Potentially, a description of how you found sources and how you analyzed them for inclusion and discussion in the review (more often found in published, standalone literature reviews than in lit review sections in an article or research paper)
• Summarize and synthesize: Give an overview of the main points of each source and combine them into a coherent whole
• Analyze and interpret: Don’t just paraphrase other researchers – add your own interpretations where possible, discussing the significance of findings in relation to the literature as a whole
• Critically Evaluate: Mention the strengths and weaknesses of your sources
• Write in well-structured paragraphs: Use transition words and topic sentence to draw connections, comparisons, and contrasts.

Conclusion:

• Summarize the key findings you have taken from the literature and emphasize their significance
• Connect it back to your primary research question

How should I organize my lit review?

Lit reviews can take many different organizational patterns depending on what you are trying to accomplish with the review. Here are some examples:

• Chronological : The simplest approach is to trace the development of the topic over time, which helps familiarize the audience with the topic (for instance if you are introducing something that is not commonly known in your field). If you choose this strategy, be careful to avoid simply listing and summarizing sources in order. Try to analyze the patterns, turning points, and key debates that have shaped the direction of the field. Give your interpretation of how and why certain developments occurred (as mentioned previously, this may not be appropriate in your discipline — check with a teacher or mentor if you’re unsure).
• Thematic : If you have found some recurring central themes that you will continue working with throughout your piece, you can organize your literature review into subsections that address different aspects of the topic. For example, if you are reviewing literature about women and religion, key themes can include the role of women in churches and the religious attitude towards women.
• Qualitative versus quantitative research
• Empirical versus theoretical scholarship
• Divide the research by sociological, historical, or cultural sources
• Theoretical : In many humanities articles, the literature review is the foundation for the theoretical framework. You can use it to discuss various theories, models, and definitions of key concepts. You can argue for the relevance of a specific theoretical approach or combine various theorical concepts to create a framework for your research.

What are some strategies or tips I can use while writing my lit review?

Any lit review is only as good as the research it discusses; make sure your sources are well-chosen and your research is thorough. Don’t be afraid to do more research if you discover a new thread as you’re writing. More info on the research process is available in our "Conducting Research" resources .

As you’re doing your research, create an annotated bibliography ( see our page on the this type of document ). Much of the information used in an annotated bibliography can be used also in a literature review, so you’ll be not only partially drafting your lit review as you research, but also developing your sense of the larger conversation going on among scholars, professionals, and any other stakeholders in your topic.

Usually you will need to synthesize research rather than just summarizing it. This means drawing connections between sources to create a picture of the scholarly conversation on a topic over time. Many student writers struggle to synthesize because they feel they don’t have anything to add to the scholars they are citing; here are some strategies to help you:

• It often helps to remember that the point of these kinds of syntheses is to show your readers how you understand your research, to help them read the rest of your paper.
• Writing teachers often say synthesis is like hosting a dinner party: imagine all your sources are together in a room, discussing your topic. What are they saying to each other?
• Look at the in-text citations in each paragraph. Are you citing just one source for each paragraph? This usually indicates summary only. When you have multiple sources cited in a paragraph, you are more likely to be synthesizing them (not always, but often
• Read more about synthesis here.

The most interesting literature reviews are often written as arguments (again, as mentioned at the beginning of the page, this is discipline-specific and doesn’t work for all situations). Often, the literature review is where you can establish your research as filling a particular gap or as relevant in a particular way. You have some chance to do this in your introduction in an article, but the literature review section gives a more extended opportunity to establish the conversation in the way you would like your readers to see it. You can choose the intellectual lineage you would like to be part of and whose definitions matter most to your thinking (mostly humanities-specific, but this goes for sciences as well). In addressing these points, you argue for your place in the conversation, which tends to make the lit review more compelling than a simple reporting of other sources.

DEAN’S BOOK w/ Prof. CONNIE GRIFFIN

Honors291g-cdg’s blog, literature review/poster presentation guide.

Literature Review & Poster/Visual Presentation Guide GIVING & GETTING EFFECTIVE PRESENTATIONS PRESENTATIONS In many disciplines presentations are given at academic conferences, symposia, and other places where scholars share their work with one another (including the Massachusetts Undergraduate Research Conference).  It can be very challenging to display and communicate all of one’s research findings in a synthesized manner and short timeframe.  Following are some thoughts about both preparing your presentation and also how to maximize your experience as an audience member. I. PRESENTER’S ROLE: The overall purpose of your presentation is to share your research process and findings with the class. In all cases, whatever topic you choose for your research, the objective is to stimulate in your listeners an understanding of that topic and how you went about developing that understanding for yourself as a researcher. The purpose of your talk is to present your research. Keep that goal in mind as you consider what to include and how to organize it.. In the visual portion of your presentation, be sure to include the following:

1)    Title 2)    Your research question 3)    Examples of what you found (results) including a.    Visual and quantitative information b.    Important quotes 4)    Your conclusion

Remember to keep your presentation (and your visual material) concise. It is very easy to overwhelm an audience with too much text.  Also, be sure to use a font size that is large enough to read from several feet away. Presentation considerations. Five minutes go fast! Therefore, stick with the most important points (details can come in the Q&A session), and be sure to organize your presentation logically. Be sure to practice. Nothing will prepare you better than giving your presentation several times to an audience. Speak slowly, clearly, expressively. Make eye contact. Also make sure your visual really does support your oral presentation and aid your audience! Concluding your presentation. End your presentation with a quick summary or suggestion of what’s been gained by your research.  Then be prepared for questions. Be ready with a question of your own in case the audience needs prompting. A crucial part of your presentation is thinking about how to engage the audience. Listen closely, be sure you understand each questioner’s intent, and then answer as directly as possible. II. AUDIENCE’S ROLE: Even when not presenting, you play a crucial role in the presentation and determining its quality.  As a listener, demonstrate your interest: make eye contact with the presenter as you listen closely, and take notes so you can ask informed, pertinent, and helpful questions during the Q&A period. Putting a presenter at ease can go a long way to ensuring an effective presentation.

The Guide to Literature Reviews

• What is a Literature Review?
• The Purpose of Literature Reviews
• Guidelines for Writing a Literature Review
• How to Organize a Literature Review?
• Software for Literature Reviews
• Using Artificial Intelligence for Literature Reviews
• How to Conduct a Literature Review?
• Common Mistakes and Pitfalls in a Literature Review
• Methods for Literature Reviews
• What is a Systematic Literature Review?
• What is a Narrative Literature Review?
• What is a Descriptive Literature Review?
• What is a Scoping Literature Review?
• What is a Realist Literature Review?
• What is a Critical Literature Review?
• Meta Analysis vs. Literature Review
• What is an Umbrella Literature Review?
• Differences Between Annotated Bibliographies and Literature Reviews
• Literature Review vs. Theoretical Framework
• How to Write a Literature Review?
• How to Structure a Literature Review?
• How to Make a Cover Page for a Literature Review?
• How to Write an Abstract for a Literature Review?
• How to Write a Literature Review Introduction?
• How to Write the Body of a Literature Review?
• How to Write a Literature Review Conclusion?
• How to Make a Literature Review Bibliography?
• How to Format a Literature Review?
• How Long Should a Literature Review Be?
• Examples of Literature Reviews

Introduction

Parts of a literature review presentation

What tools can be used to build a literature review presentation, useful tips for building a literature review presentation.

• How to Publish a Literature Review?

How to Present a Literature Review?

A literature review presentation serves as a tool to showcase your findings and the implications of it. The literature review presentation could make a difference in receiving more funding or growing your presence in the academic community. Read this article to learn how to make a literature review presentation, whether you are presenting your literature review as part of a larger empirical study or as a full standalone research project.

A literature review presentation involves organizing previous literature, structuring the content, and citing sources accurately. The clarity of your presentation depends on how well you can summarize the relevant evidence and ideas from previous literature.

A well-structured literature review presentation begins with a clear template and well-organized slides. Your introduction section should offer an overview of your topic, presenting a concise summary of the literature review and its significance. This helps to support your ideas and provides a foundation for your research. In this section, you should address the main problems and questions your research seeks to answer, providing context and background information from the existing literature. This sets the stage for your audience and helps them understand the relevance and importance of your study.

Throughout your presentation, it is crucial to highlight the differences and similarities between various sources, drawing connections and contrasts to build a cohesive narrative. The organization of your slides should reflect the structure of your literature review, moving logically from one point to the next. Use visual aids such as charts, graphs, and images to enhance understanding and engagement. Each slide should focus on a specific aspect of your literature review, ensuring that complex information is presented clearly and concisely.

At the beginning and end of your presentation, it is recommended to provide a brief summary of the key points and findings from your literature review. This helps to capture the audience's attention and gives them a snapshot of what to expect from your presentation. As you move through your slides, make sure that each point is well-supported by evidence from the literature, citing sources accurately to maintain academic integrity.

By the end of your presentation, you should have addressed the main problems and questions outlined in your introduction, providing a thorough investigation of the topic. Your conclusion should summarize the key findings and their implications, offering insights into the contribution of your research to the field. Understanding how to structure and deliver a literature review presentation will enhance your communication skills and support your academic and professional growth.

When preparing a literature review presentation, it's important to cover key elements that will provide your audience with a clear understanding of your research. Here are the parts you should include:

Title slide

Begin with a title slide that includes the title of your presentation, your name, your institutional affiliation, and the date. This slide sets the stage for your audience and provides essential information about the presentation’s topic and context.

The introduction should provide background information on your topic, highlighting the significance and relevance of the literature review. Clearly state the purpose of your review and the research questions you aim to address. This section helps your audience understand the context and importance of your study.

In the objectives section, outline what you aim to achieve with your literature review. Clearly articulate the goals and intended outcomes of your review, helping your audience grasp the scope and direction of your research.

Methodology

Describe the methodology you used to conduct your literature search. Detail the databases and search engines you utilized, along with the specific keywords and search terms. Explain your inclusion and exclusion criteria, providing transparency about how you selected the literature to review. This section demonstrates the rigour and thoroughness of your research process, which is especially important when presenting a full-paper literature review.

Literature review findings

Summarize the key themes and trends found in the literature. Discuss major theories and models relevant to your topic, highlighting significant findings and their implications. This section should provide a coherent synthesis of the existing knowledge, identifying gaps and areas for further research.

In the discussion section, interpret the findings from your literature review. Explain how they relate to your research questions and objectives. Discuss the implications of these findings for your field of study, considering both the strengths and limitations of the existing literature. This analysis provides depth to your presentation, offering critical insights and reflections.

End your presentation by summarizing the main points and highlighting the significance of your findings. Restate the importance of your research questions and suggest potential directions for future research. This section reinforces the value of your literature review and leaves your audience with clear takeaways.

Include a slide listing all the references cited in your presentation. Use a consistent citation style, such as APA or MLA, to ensure credibility and academic integrity. This slide provides the necessary details for anyone interested in further exploring the sources you discussed.

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Creating a literature review presentation requires a thorough understanding of your topic and the right tools to present your findings effectively. Here are some of the most common and useful tools to consider:

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft PowerPoint is one of the most widely used tools for creating presentations. It offers a variety of templates and design features that make it easy to create professional-looking slides. PowerPoint is versatile and user-friendly, allowing you to add text, images, charts, and graphs to your slides. Its animation and transition features help make your presentation more engaging.

Google Slides

Google Slides is a popular alternative to PowerPoint, especially for collaborative projects. It allows multiple users to work on the same presentation in real time, making it ideal for group assignments. Google Slides offers a range of templates and design tools similar to PowerPoint, and it integrates seamlessly with other Google Workspace applications like Google Docs and Google Sheets.

Prezi is a dynamic presentation tool that uses a zooming user interface to create visually engaging presentations. Unlike traditional slide-based presentations, Prezi allows you to create a single canvas with multiple elements that you can zoom in and out of. This can make your presentation more interactive and help you highlight connections between different parts of your literature review.

Canva is a graphic design tool that offers a range of templates for creating visually appealing presentations. It is user-friendly and provides various design elements like icons, images, and fonts that you can use to enhance your slides. Canva is especially useful for those who want to create visually striking presentations without needing advanced design skills.

LaTeX (Beamer)

LaTeX, particularly with the Beamer package, is a powerful tool for creating presentations, especially for academic purposes. It allows for precise control over the formatting and is excellent for presentations that include complex mathematical formulas or scientific notations. While LaTeX has a steeper learning curve compared to other tools, it is highly valued in academic and scientific communities for its precision and professionalism.

Keynote is Apple’s presentation software, available on macOS and iOS devices. It offers a range of high-quality templates and design tools that make it easy to create polished presentations. Keynote’s integration with other Apple products and its intuitive interface make it a favourite among Mac users.

Visme is an online presentation tool that combines design elements with data visualization capabilities. It is particularly useful for creating presentations that require a lot of charts, graphs, and infographics. Visme offers a wide range of templates and design assets, making it easy to create professional-looking presentations.

Zoho Show is part of the Zoho Office Suite and provides a cloud-based platform for creating presentations. It offers collaboration features, allowing multiple users to work on the same presentation simultaneously. Zoho Show includes a variety of templates and design tools to help you create engaging slides.

Slidebean is an AI-powered presentation tool that helps automate the design process. You input the content, and Slidebean’s AI arranges it into a professional-looking presentation. This can save time and ensure that your slides look polished and cohesive.

Piktochart is a tool focused on creating infographics and visual content. It can be used to create presentations that are rich in visuals and data. Piktochart is user-friendly and offers various templates that make it easy to design professional-looking slides.

Organize the presentation and create a logical outline. This will make sure your findings are clearly explained and presented. Develop a clear and logical structure for the presentation, including an introduction, body, and conclusion. Organize the literature into sections and subsections to facilitate easy navigation. Use headings and subheadings to provide a clear hierarchy of information. Choose visual aids that enhance the presentation and facilitate understanding, such as diagrams, charts, and tables. Visual aids should be clear, concise, and relevant to the literature review. Use visual aids to illustrate key findings and trends.

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.css-1qrtm5m{display:block;margin-bottom:8px;text-transform:uppercase;font-size:14px;line-height:1.5714285714285714;-webkit-letter-spacing:-0.35px;-moz-letter-spacing:-0.35px;-ms-letter-spacing:-0.35px;letter-spacing:-0.35px;font-weight:300;color:#606F7B;}@media (min-width:600px){.css-1qrtm5m{font-size:16px;line-height:1.625;-webkit-letter-spacing:-0.5px;-moz-letter-spacing:-0.5px;-ms-letter-spacing:-0.5px;letter-spacing:-0.5px;}} best practices The skill all powerful storytellers share — and why it’s more important now than ever

by TED Masterclass Team • September 30, 2021

To be human is to tell stories. Stories are how we make sense of the world and share our ideas, passions, and unique perspectives. This TED-Ed video shares how presentation literacy, a skill to improve public speaking, can transform storytelling into your superpower.

An impactful story stays with your audience long after you’ve told it. For thousands of years humans have shared stories that ignite a “spark” in their audience and evoke a sense of empathy, trust, and connection. Listeners pass powerful messages along, spreading interesting ideas and stories far and wide.

The importance of presentation literacy

While storytelling remains as critical as ever, the qualities of an impactful story have had to evolve to continue to captivate in our modern world. As the speed at which information and headlines are shared has accelerated, the average attention span has been reduced to just eight seconds . Eight seconds! In our current media environment it now requires more than words to captivate people. This is where presentation literacy comes into play.

Touted as “ a core skill of the 21st century ”, presentation literacy can be a critical skill to leverage in your career. It requires us to create a compelling story that engages the audience’s other senses too, using high-resolution pictures, videos, or music. Often, it’s a combination of all of the above in addition to words, spelled out and spoken, that make a story truly shine.

In mastering presentation literacy, a storyteller ushers in a clear vision, replete with supplementary audiovisual cues to convey a message or, perhaps, convince others of it. While honing presentation literacy is immensely rewarding, the idea of putting it to practice on the stage can be terrifying to many people .

What presentation literacy can teach you

Many powerful speakers have struggled with stage anxiety. Even some acclaimed TED speakers, as shared by TED curator Chris Anderson , aren’t exempt from this: Monica Lewinsky thought she wasn’t worthy of a spot on the TED stage; Jacqueline Novogratz resisted public speaking in her younger years; and even Elon Musk wasn’t reputed as a “public speaker.” And yet, their TED Talks have been collectively viewed over 60 million times.

These speakers were able to cast aside their insecurities to tell a story that they wanted others to hear. And as a result, they have amassed millions of views and received critical acclaim among their colleagues and many of those who’ve listened to their Talks.

Mastering public speaking and presentation literacy isn’t just limited to speaking onstage. The skill is also valuable in your everyday life. It can teach you how to communicate with others effectively, articulate your ideas clearly, and speak with confidence, whether to colleagues, new acquaintances, family, or friends.

Innovating storytelling

Technology has opened up avenues that allow us to tell our stories in myriad ways. Anderson explains, “we live in an age where you don’t have to be able to speak to thousands of people at a time to have an outsized impact. It could just be you talking intimately to a video camera, and letting the Internet do the rest.”

The hardest part is plucking up the courage to try. We’re ready when you are: To learn how to hone your presentation literacy skills and master public speaking, visit our website, TED Masterclass . Our course guides you through the storytelling process, so you can present your most pressing ideas clearly, concisely, and impactfully.

© 2024 TED Conferences, LLC. All rights reserved. Please note that the TED Talks Usage policy does not apply to this content and is not subject to our creative commons license.