Be selective
• Select only the most important points in each source to highlight in your review. The type of information you choose to mention should relate directly to the focus of your research and dissertation. Always ask how each source helps support the need for and the significance of your study.
Summarize and synthesize
• Remember to summarize and synthesize your sources throughout the review. Go beyond providing a summary of related research. Discuss the significance of previous research and how it relates to your own study.
Use evidence
• Your interpretation of the available sources must be backed up with evidence to show that what you are saying is valid. Avoid making generalizations without supporting research as evidence.
Avoid excessive quoting
• Excessive quoting breaks the flow of the chapter and disrupts your “voice”. Before including a quotation, ask yourself if the quote is really necessary and whether a summary or paraphrase could convey the same information.
Use caution when paraphrasing
• When paraphrasing a source that is not your own, be sure to represent the author's information or opinions accurately and in your own words. Familiarize yourself with plagiarism guidelines and make sure that all your in-text sources are appropriately formatted.
How to organize
• Introduction: Gives a brief idea of the topic to be covered in the chapter as well as the general organization of the information.
• Body: Contains your discussion of sources and is organized either chronologically, thematically, or methodologically. Take the time to outline the general organization of the body so that you have an idea of what topics you want to cover.
• Conclusions/Recommendations: Discusses what you have drawn from reviewing literature so far and suggests where and how you will proceed.
