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SURVEYING THE LANDSCAPE
How to Revise a Literature Review
WHAT A LIT REVIEW IS NOT
WHAT A LIT REVIEW IS
• Broad survey of sources on a
particular topic
• Synthesis of those sources in
terms of relationship to topic
• Analysis of those sources by
points of comparison/contrast &
evaluation
• Presentation of Sources in
order to demonstrate which
aspects require further research
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
Researchers have conducted studies about siblings of special needs and
autistic children because this group is vulnerable to adjustment difficulties
(Cuskelly, 1999). In fact, specialists have compared the sibling-autism relationship
to the MR relationship. They have also studied the importance of the family, and
particularly the mother, in this relationship. In addition, Kaminsky and Dewey (2001)
found that the autism-sibling relationship is characterized by less intimacy and pro-
social behavior. This study likewise reports that these relationships were marked by
fewer instances of quarreling. While this phenomenon may occur because of the
unique situation of the autism-sibling relationship, less fighting is also a positive
illustration of a relationship marked by more admiration. Furthermore, Rivers and
Stoneman (2003) define this relationship as asymmetrical. These results are also
similar to the MR-sibling relationship, as reported by Knott, et al. (1995). Rivers and
Stoneman (2003) reveal, too, that parents worry about the autism-sibling relationship
in their families. The importance of the family’s influence on the autism-sibling
relationship is very useful for this research study and thus, will be discussed
in the conclusion of the literature review.
~Ellen Geib, CU
Writing Center Tutor
HOW DID ELLEN DO THAT?
Organize your sources by sub-topics: One sub-topic/paragraph
In the first sentence of each paragraph, transition from the
previous paragraph; then compose topic sentence for the
paragraph
Sum up each source in terms of what research shows
Discuss both the similarities and the differences between
those sources
At the end of each paragraph, make a synthesis statement
TYPICAL NEEDS FOR REVISION
Or: What do I do now that I have my first rough
draft?
IMPROVE YOUR THESIS
Argue for a particular evaluation of the research or
perspective on the research in one sentence near the end of
the introduction
Examples:• The current trend in treatment for congestive heart failure
combines surgery and medicine.• More and more cultural studies scholars are accepting
popular media as a subject worthy of academic consideration.• Source of examples:
http://writingcenter.unc.edu/resources/handouts-demos/specific-writing-assignments/literature-reviews
LOGICAL STRUCTURE
Break the “string of pearls”: This is not an annotated bib.Follow Your ThesisRevise material so it fits a logical structure (3 basic
choices):• Chronology (of publication or of trend)• Methodology• Thematic
Develop logical structure from rough draft:• “Post-outline” to discover organizational problems. Go.• “Shadow Draft” to discover what the sub-topics are:
Go.
Sources that don’t relate to
one another in terms of
theme/topic, methodology, etc.
Sources that aren’t peer-
reviewed
Sources that may be too
obscure
Do more research to
find sources you can
compare & contrast
Do more research to
find sources that are
significant and peer-
reviewed
REVISING RESEARCH
Eliminate Irrelevant Sources Add Relevant Sources
FLUENT WRITING
Every paragraph should flow
from & connect back to the
thesis
Each paragraph should flow
from & develop its topic
sentence
Use transitions!
Look at each paragraph,
and answer: • How does this
paragraph develop my thesis?
• How can I revise this paragraph so that it does develop my thesis?
• Do I need to eliminate this paragraph?
Look at each paragraph
and answer:• How does this paragraph
develop my topic sentence?
• How can I revise this paragraph so that it does develop my topic sentence?
• Do I need to rewrite my topic sentence?
THESIS & T.S. CHECKS
Circle Thesis Circle Every Topic Sentence
TRANSITIONS . . .
To Show Addition: and, also, further, furthermore, in addition, moreover,
next, too, first, second
To Give Examples: for example, for instance, to illustrate, in fact,
specifically
To Compare: also, similarly, likewise
To Contrast: but, however, on the other hand, in contrast, nevertheless,
still, even though, on the contrary, yet, although
To Show Time (Chronology): after, as, before, next, during, later,
finally, meanwhile, since, then, when, while, immediately
To Indicate Logical Relationship: if, so, therefore, consequently,
thus, as a result, for this reason, because, since Source: Diana
Hacker & Nancy Sommers, A Writer’s Reference, 7th ed.
PARAPHRASES
Paraphrase carefully• Avoid plagiarism!• Must translate original source into your own words & sentence
syntax• Use appropriate documentation style per assignment (APA,
MLA, Turabian, etc.)
Paraphrase accurately• Double check with original source• Fix whatever you’ve misrepresented or taken out of context
Paraphrase far more than you quote (quote only once or
twice)
Introduction• Set up & explain
literature review structure • (Thematic?
Chronological? Methodology?)
• Present thesis
BEGIN & END WELL
Conclusion• Specifically identify the
study that will follow (i.e., your original study!) as a result of this literature review.
• Specifically identify the study that should follow (i.e., the original study that some researcher should do) as a result of this literature review.
WRITING CENTER
Afternoons: MWF 1:00-5:00 & T/R 12:30-5:00 p.m.
Evenings: Sundays, 7-9 p.m. & M-R 7:00-11:00 p.m.
One hour (extended consultations) for 3000- &
4000-level courses with required papers of 8+ pages
in length (once/week)
Online appointment schedule:
http://www.cedarville.edu/Offices/Writing-Center/
Edit-an-Appointment.aspx