Writing
How to write a literature review.
By the EssayMate team · Updated November 4, 2026
A literature review surveys what has already been published on a question, and shows how it fits together: what is agreed, what is disputed, and what is still unknown. It can be a section of a research paper or thesis, or an assignment on its own.
The difference between a weak and a strong review is synthesis. A weak review summarises one source per paragraph; a strong one is organised by ideas and compares what different studies found.
What a literature review does
- Maps the main ideas, debates and methods in the field.
- Shows how studies relate to each other: agreement, contradiction, development.
- Identifies the gap your own research addresses (in a paper or thesis).
- Shows you know the field well enough to contribute to it.
1. Search and select sources
Define your question first, then search databases in your field (Google Scholar, PubMed, JSTOR, PsycINFO, your library's catalogue) with combinations of keywords. Prefer peer-reviewed articles and scholarly books, note recent reviews (they map the field quickly), and follow the reference lists of the most useful papers.
Record each source's full details as you go and note its main finding in one line, as in an annotated bibliography. A spreadsheet with columns for author, year, method, findings and theme makes the next step much easier.
2. Organise by theme, not by source
| Structure | Organises by | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Thematic | Topics or questions within the field | Most reviews; makes synthesis natural |
| Chronological | How thinking developed over time | Fields where the history matters |
| Methodological | Research methods used | Comparing what different methods show |
| Theoretical | Competing theories or frameworks | Reviews grounded in theory |
Group your sources under three to five themes, then decide the order of the themes so that each leads to the next and, finally, to the gap or question your review ends with.
3. Outline
I. Introduction
The topic and why it matters · the scope (years, populations, kinds of study) · how the review is organised.
II. Theme 1
What studies found · where they agree or differ · why.
III. Theme 2
Same pattern.
IV. Theme 3
Same pattern.
V. Conclusion
What the literature shows overall · limitations and gaps · what research is needed (or what your study will do).
4. Write with synthesis
Synthesis means connecting sources in the same paragraph: comparing findings, explaining why results differ, and drawing a conclusion across studies. Compare these two approaches:
Kuznekoff and Titsworth (2013) studied phone use in lectures. They found students who used phones learned less. Sana et al. (2013) studied laptops. They found multitasking reduced learning.
Experimental studies agree that using devices in class reduces learning, and that the cost extends beyond the user. Students who used phones during a recorded lecture took fewer notes and scored lower on a later test than those who did not (Kuznekoff & Titsworth, 2013), and students seated near a classmate multitasking on a laptop understood less of a lecture than those with a clear view (Sana et al., 2013). Evidence from real courses points the same way: when students in a university course were allowed devices in some lectures, their exam performance on that material was lower, even weeks later (Glass & Kang, 2019). At the scale of whole schools, phone bans in English schools were followed by higher test scores, with the largest gains among low-achieving students (Beland & Murphy, 2016). Together, these studies suggest the effect is robust across settings, although most measure short-term recall rather than long-term understanding.
The strong version opens with a claim about the literature, groups studies by what they show, notes how methods differ (lab, course, school system), and ends with a limitation: exactly what a marker looks for.
Literature review checklist
- The scope is clear: question, years, kinds of sources.
- Paragraphs are organised by theme and open with a claim about the literature.
- Each paragraph compares several sources, not one.
- Disagreements are explained, not just listed.
- The conclusion names the gaps or the need for further research.
- Every source is cited and appears in the reference list.
Example papers
Sample papers written with EssayMate, to read for structure and citations, not to copy.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a literature review?
In a journal article or essay, often 15 to 30% of the paper. As a standalone assignment, usually 1,500 to 5,000 words, and in a thesis a full chapter. Follow your brief.
How many sources should a literature review have?
It depends on the level and length: roughly 10 to 20 for an undergraduate review, more for postgraduate work. Coverage of the key studies matters more than the count.
What's the difference between a literature review and an annotated bibliography?
An annotated bibliography discusses sources one at a time. A literature review is an essay organised by ideas that compares sources and draws conclusions across them.
Can a literature review have its own argument?
Yes: its argument is about the state of the research, for example that the evidence on a question is strong but limited to short-term effects.
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