How to Format a Literature Review?

A literature review format is a structured way to present journal articles on a specific topic. It synthesizes previous studies, identifies key themes, gaps, inconsistencies, and provides context for your research question. A well-structured literature review demonstrates your knowledge of the field and highlights the relevance of your research.

When writing a literature review as a full research paper, the general structure of a literature review includes several key components. These key components can also be adapted to suit literature reviews that are written as a sub-section within a broader empirical study. The title page contains the title of your paper, your name, and your institution. The abstract is a concise summary of the review, including the research question, methods, and conclusions, typically 150-250 words. The introduction provides an overview of the topic, the research question, and the significance of the review. The body of the review is the main content, organized thematically, chronologically, or methodologically. The conclusion summarizes the main findings, discusses implications, and suggests future research. Finally, the references, bibliography, or annotated bibliography lists all sources cited in the review.