Harrisburg University Library Blog

Essential Guide to Writing a Literature Review!

In our last post, we explored APA format and provided a tutorial. Now, let’s dive into an essential section of any research paper—the Literature Review. 

What is a Literature Review?

• A “lit review” summarizes and evaluates the existing knowledge on a topic, capturing both historical context and current perspectives. By referencing expert writings—such as scholarly articles, books, and research papers—a literature review builds on the ongoing academic conversation, helping you situate your work within the broader field.

Why is the Literature Review Important?
The literature review serves several purposes:

• Identifies Knowledge Gaps: Reveals unexplored areas that your research could address.
• Builds on Existing Research: Avoids duplicating past work and highlights new directions.
• Broadens Your Knowledge: Provides a thorough understanding of your field.
• Identifies Key Works: Helps you pinpoint influential studies and theories.
• Offers Different Perspectives: Introduces opposing viewpoints and debates in the field.
• Guides Methodology: Suggests useful methods that may apply to your own work.

Steps in the Literature Review Process

• Planning: Define the focus, scope, and type of review you’re conducting.
• Reading and Researching: Collect and evaluate only the most relevant sources.
• Analyzing: Summarize, synthesize, and critique sources to understand the research landscape.
• Drafting: Formulate a thesis or main argument and organize your review.
• Revising: Edit for clarity, structure, and style.

The process may not be entirely linear—you might revisit steps as your review evolves. 

For a Quick Guide to Literature Reviews and more resources, visit our library website!