When writing a book or a report about a certain topic, it is expected of you to come up with a critical analysis of the book or the report, state the arguments and theories that go with the selected topic, this is what we call a literature review.
This review of the literature gives a thorough introduction to the reader on the topic at hand.
A literature review is relevant because:
1) It enables you to detect conflicting points of view expressed by different authors.
2) Provides the reader with an up to date account and information of the research findings on a certain topic.
3) It also enables you to discuss any relevant research carried out in the same topic.
Take a look at the table of contents of the book; review the introduction and the concluding chapter. Read enough to know and clearly get an understanding of the book so you can summarize it in an intelligent fashion.
Structure of literature review
Introduction
Define your topic and elaborate reasons as to why you chose to write the literature review. Give a brief introduction of the literature review explaining its flow and sequence.
Describe the scope of the literature review by stating what is included and what is not included.
Main body
This is where you structure the research according to common themes. Give a more detailed insight of your topic and start with the basic wider view of the literature being reviewed to the specifics. There should be a clear link between your arguments and the evidence uncovered in your reading.
When grouping together writers with similar opinions, use linkers such as: also, similarly, moreover. However, if the writers are in disagreement use linkers such as nevertheless, however.
Most importantly have clear lines of your arguments because you do not want them to be too far-fetched to the extent of bringing irrelevance to your subject of discussion.
Conclusion
Provide a summary of the body of your literature review and evaluate the current state of the literature reviewed then link your research to existing knowledge.
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