Literature Review Outline Template
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1
2Literature Review
● APU Writing Center ● (626)815-6000 ext.3141 ● apu.edu/writingcenter ● ●
A literature review compiles and evaluates the research available on a certain topic or issue that you are
researching and writing about. Because lit review formats vary greatly, be sure to read your professor’s
instructions first and defer to them. A typical writing process for a literature review follows these steps:
Define Topic
Research Question*
• What are you looking to explore?
• Write a specific question to guide
your research.
• Example: The impact of service-
learning curricula on undergraduate
• Example: How has service-learning
university students.
curricula impacted undergrads in
American Christian Universities since
2000?
Research*
Analyze and Evaluate
• Find relevant sources.
• Assess how each source relates to
other research within the field.
• Read and take note of the main
points, conclusions, strengths, and
• Group sources by theme, topic, or
weaknesses of the research.
methodology.
• Critically evaluate research.
Thesis Statement*
Write Literature Review
• Your thesis statement should contain
• Use an introduction, body
the overarching focus for your
paragraph(s), and a conclusion.
literature review as well as the main
• Include summary, analysis, synthesis,
supporting points you found in the
and evaluation (if appropriate).
literature.
• Lit review may be as short as a few
• See back for example.
paragraphs or as long as a chapter.
Use your research question as a guide for research. Once you have completed the bulk of your research,
compile the topic and the research results into one coherent thesis statement.
*
Refer to the Writing Center’s Argument, Research Tips & Resources, and Thesis Statements handouts for more information on these topics.
2/4/2015
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