How to write literature review

怎么写文献综述2篇How to write literature review document编订：JinTai College怎么写文献综述2篇前言：论文格式就是指进行论文写作时的样式要求，以及写作标准，就是论文达到可公之于众的标准样式和内容要求，论文常用来进行科学研究和描述科研成果文章。

本文档根据论文格式内容要求和特点展开说明，具有实践指导意义，便于学习和使用，本文下载后内容可随意调整修改及打印。

本文简要目录如下：【下载该文档后使用Word打开，按住键盘Ctrl键且鼠标单击目录内容即可跳转到对应篇章】1、篇章1：怎么写文献综述2、篇章2：文献综述标注文档篇章1:怎么写文献综述文献综述是对某一方面的专题搜集大量情报资料后经综合分析而写成的一种学术论文，它是科学文献的一种。

文献综述是反映当前某一领域中某分支学科或重要专题的最新进展、学术见解和建议的它往往能反映出有关问题的新动态、新趋势、新水平、新原理和新技术等等。

通过写作文献综述，至少从以下几方面受益：①通过搜集文献资料过程，可进一步熟悉专业文献的查找方法和资料的积累方法;在查找的过程中同时也扩大了知识面;②查找文献资料、写文献综述是科研选题及进行实践科研的第一步，因此学习文献综述的撰写也是为今后科研活动打基础的过程;③通过综述的写作过程，能提高归纳、分析、综合能力，有利于独立工作能力和科研能力的提高;④文献综述选题范围广，题目可大可小，可难可易，可根据自己的能力和兴趣自由选题。

文献综述与“读书报告”、“文献复习”、“研究进展”等有相似的地方，它们都是从某一方面的专题研究论文或报告中归纳出来的。

但是，文献综述既不象“读书报告”、“文献复习”那样，单纯把一级文献客观地归纳报告，也不象“研究进展”那样只讲科学进程，其特点是“综”，“综”是要求对文献资料进行综合分析、归纳整理，使材料更精练明确、更有逻辑层次;“述”就是要求对综合整理后的文献进行比较专门的、全面的、深入的、系统的论述。

literaturereview⽂献综述的写法（英⽂版）Literature ReviewThis packet details the steps necessary to produce a literature review that may be required for work in various disciplines, including English, history and psychology. This packet is not intended to replace instructor guidelines and should not be used in that manner. The packet’s intended use is as a supplement to classroom instruction on assembling a literature review. Therefore, it contains only general information that must be tailored to fit specific guidelines as required by your discipline and by your instructor.This packet is subdivided into six sections:I. General InformationStates what a literature review is and what purpose it serves.II. ProcessGives step-by-step instructions on how to get started on your literature review.III. OrganizationExplains the two most common ways of arranging information in a literature review.IV. FormatProvides descriptions for two of the most common formats used in a literature review, the item to item comparison and contrast (Format A) and the criteria to criteria comparison and contrast (Format B).V. ChecklistAllows appraisal of your completed literature review to assure that it follows all necessary guidelines.VI. ResourcesLists helpful resources used to compile this packet so that you may obtain further information.M General Information MDefinitionLiterature reviews can have two roles: In their first role, they function as a stand-alone paper. At other times they will actually be part of a larger research thesis. In this handout, literature reviews will be referred to in the stand-alone sense. As a stand-alone paper, literature reviews are multi-layered and are more formal and detailed than book reviews. As the author of a literature review, you must become familiar with a large amount of research on a specific topic. You will then develop your own thesis about the topic related to this research. After this, you will classify and critically analyze research on the topic by making a comparison between several different studies and by emphasizing how these studies and their comparison relate to your own thesis.In effect, a literature review is a paper that compiles, outlines and evaluates previously established research and relates it to your own thesis. It provides a context for readers as if theywere researching the topic on their own. Just from reading your paper, readers should be able to gain insight into the amountand quality of research on the topic. Your thesis and the literature reviewed serve several important functions within the paper:Your thesis creates a foundation for the literature review because it helps narrow the topic by providing a sense of direction; however, you will have to conduct some initial research and reading before deciding on an appropriate thesis. Your personal thesis may be a statement addressing some of the following situations: “why your research needs to be carried out, how you came to choose certain methodologies or theories to work with, how your work adds to the research already carried out”(Brightwell, G. and Shaw, J., 1997-98), or it may present some other logical perspective.Reviewed literature is organized in a logical manner that best suits the topic of the review and the hypothesis of the literature (see Organization and Format). The selected method of organization and style of format should draw attention to similarities and differences among the reviewed literature; these similarities and differences are based on specific criteria you revealed in the literature review’s introduction. According to Brightwell and Shaw (1997-98), your goal in the body of the review “. . . should be to evaluate and show relationships between the work already done (Is Researcher Y’s theory more convincing than Researcher X’s? Did Researcher X build on the work of Researcher Y?) and between this work and your own [thesis].” Additional information on these topics can be found in the Organization and Format sections of this packet. Therefore, carefully planned organization is an essential part of any literature review.PurposeAlthough literature reviews may vary according to discipline, their overall goal is similar. A literature review serves as a compilation of the most significant sources on a subject and relates the findings of each of these sources in a rational manner while supporting the literature review author’s own thesis. A literature review establishes which sources are most relevant to its author’s point and which sources are most credible to the discipline at hand.In a literature review, the results of previous research are summarized, organized and evaluated. Discipline-SpecificityA literature review’s organization, format, level of detail and citation style may vary according to discipline because different disciplines have different audiences. Examples here pertain to the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities.Natural and social sciences The author of a literature review in the natural or social sciences must pay close attention to measurements, study populations and technical aspects of experimental findings. Typically, a portion of the natural or social sciences literature review is set aside for reviewing sources on the primary topic. Then, a comparative analysis or discussion section is used to analyze the similarities and differences among the sources, tying them in with the literature review author’s original thesis.Humanities The author of a literature review in the humanities usually does not set aside a special section for reviewing the sources; instead, citations may be found randomly throughout the paper. The literature being reviewed is arranged according to paragraphs based on the author’s points, which in turn, support the author’s thesis. The paper itself may not be called a literature review at all. It is more likely to be called a critical analysis.Remember that the best bet for determining what type of literature review is appropriate for your course is checking with the instructor prior to beginning research.REVIEW1. What is the purpose of a literature review? What is the connection between theauthor’s thesis and the literature being reviewed?2. What discipline will your literature review be classified in?M Process M1. Find several articles that deal with your research topic. Sometimes it is helpful to review the bibliography of one of the first scholarly sources that you encounter and compare it to the bibliographies of other sources on the topic. If the same source is listed within several of these bibliographies, it is probably a fundamental, credible source that will aid you in your review.2. Before you begin reviewing literature, realize that you are looking to accomplish two things:A. Defining your research problem/thesis (examples: finding a flaw inresearch, continuing previous research, etc . . .)B. Reading and evaluating significant works that are relevant to yourresearch problem.You will be conducting Steps A and B simultaneously because the two form a circular pattern. As you read related sources (Step B), you define your problem, and as you define your problem (Step A) you will more easily be able to decide what material is relevant enough to be worthy of reading (Step B).3. Once you begin reviewing, make an entry with complete bibliographical information and comments for each work that you are going to include in the review.4. Compare the articles by evaluating the similarities and differences among them. This will be the initial stage in the formulation of your thesis.5. Form a thesis that is clearly written and can be logically supported by the literature you will include in your review.6. View the articles briefly again and jot down any notes that seem to relateto your thesis.7. Decide which organizational pattern and format are best for the topic of your review.8. Construct an appropriate outline for the literature review.9. Write an introduction that introduces the topic, reveals your thesis statement, and arranges key issues.10. Organize and write the body of your paper according to the appropriate format: topical or chronological.11. Write a conclusion that reconciles similarities and differences on the topic and reemphasizes the criteria used to arrive at this conclusion./doc/8b508cc25fbfc77da269b1c1.html plete the final draft of the literature review.13. Check over the final draft for grammar and punctuation errors.14. Use the checklist provided here to make sure that all parts of the literature review are addressed and focused. REVIEW1. What do you consider to be the most crucial step(s) in the process of your literature review ? Why? Justify your response(s).A literature review can be arranged either topically or chronologically.Topical organization occurs in reviews where previous research being evaluated is divided into segments with each one representing a part of some larger issue. In a topical review, the author begins by describing the characteristics of research shared by several studies and then moves on to analyze their similarities and differences. For more information, see the example below.ExampleThe organization of a literature review begins in the introduction. For example, in the introduction of a literature review about the effect of seating arrangements on peer tutoringcommunication, you would first introduce the topic and what your literature review will attempt to assess:…Writing centers can set the table for collaborative tutoring sessions through a careful consideration of spatial arrangement . . .Then state what angle is going to be explored:…These studies will be used to support the author’s claims that spatial arrangement is instrumental in encouraging collaborative environments in the writing center…Then, arrange key issues that will be addressed in this review by answering questions that you have personally developedand are tailored to fit your topic. In the introduction, give the audience a clear picture of how you will organize your paper: Establishing a Critical Response for a Literature ReviewYou may find this section helpful at Steps 3, 4 and 5 of the process. When reviewing your sources, explore the following areas to help develop your critical response:What is the purpose of the research or work?What research or literary methods are used?How do the major concepts operate?In a research study, how accurate are the measurements?In a literary work, is the author’s position objective or biased? What are the different interpretations of the results of the study or of the literary work itself?M Organization MIn the following, I1 first review some relevant research concerning spatial arrangement and then discuss some recommended and alternate seating arrangements to encourage a collaborative environment in the writing center. Finally, I include some other considerations.In the body of this literature review, you would organize the information topically around each point (or question) that you asked yourself:-Research Review-Recommended Spatial Arrangement-Alternative Spatial Arrangement-Other ConsiderationsThen, write a conclusion that explains the significance of your findings:…While the seating arrangements outlined above are generally a good ‘setting’ for peer tutoring sessions, we should remember that each tutoring session is unique. Not all students will be comfortable with a side-by-side spatial arrangement at a round table. Tutors should be perceptive of and receptive to students who may have other spatial needs…Chronological organization occurs when a review is organized in time order and is most often used when a historical context is needed for discussing a topic from its beginning to its current state; chronological organization is especially helpful when discussing inactive periods and shifts in perspective on a given topic.ExampleThe organization of a literature review begins in the introduction. For example, in the introduction of a literature review entitled Development of Social Science Research on Attitudes Towards Gender in America, you would first introduce the topic and what your review hopes to assess:…This literature review will assess the development of research designed to uncover gender attitudes in America during the latter part of the 20th Century…Then state what angle is going to be explored:..As research progressed throughout the 20th century, the methods that social scientists use for measuring these attitudes developed and changed as well…Then, chronologically arrange issues that will be addressed in this review:Gender stereotypes still exist today, and varying attitudes can be traced over the past fifty years. Survey instruments used to gather data on these varying attitudes have also changed drastically over the course of time.In the body of this literature review, you would organize the information chronologically, adressing each point (or question)that is being asked for a particular time period:-Stereotypes and Survey Instruments of the 1950’s-Stereotypes and Survey Instruments of the 1960’s-Stereotypes and Survey Instruments of the 1970’s-Stereotypes and Survey Instruments of the 1980’s-Stereotypes and Survey Instruments of the 1990’s-Current Advancements1 Always clear the use of I with your instructor. An alternative to this would be the use of third person wording, such as “This paper reviews some relevant research concerning spatial arrangement and then discusses some recommended and alternate seating arrangements to encourage a collaborative environment in the writing center.”Then, write a conclusion that explains the significance of your findings:Although the survey instruments used in the 1950’s and 1960’s developed an obvious bias when surveying Americans regarding gender attitudes, the 1970’s brought about great change. Today social scientists are more careful than ever about testing the quality of a survey instrument before using it on the general public.M Format MThere are also two suggested formats for composing your literature review. Format A is used when comparing several studies that have similar hypothesis but different findings. Each piece of research is summarized individually. Format A is good for reviews with a small number of entries; however, this format may confuse the audience when used with a large number of reviews because descriptions of so many studies may get in the way of the analysis. Keep in mind that each piece of research usually will not receive equal attention in the review.Format A OutlineI. Introduction consists of four parts that are usually discussed in one paragraph.a. Identify the general topic being discussed.b. Mention trends published about the topic.c. State thesis establishing the reason for writing the literaturereview.d. Explain criteria by giving a description of each of the criteria used in evaluating theliterature review and rationalizing its organizationII. Literature reviewed section is divided up according to study.a.First study is summarized and discussed.b.Second study is summarized and discussed.c. Third study is summarized and discussed.III. Comparative analysis acknowledges the similarities and differences between studies.a. Similarities (if any) among the studies are evaluated and discussed.b. Differences (if any) among the studies are evaluated and discussed.IV. Conclusion/Summary effectively wraps up the review.a.Summarize points of comparison or contrast among the works based on Section IIIof your review.b.Provide insight of relationship between the topic of the review and a larger area ofstudy such as a specific discipline or professionFormat B organizes the literature review according to similarities and differences among research rather than by literature studied. In a review organized according to Format B, little background information on the literature being reviewed is given outright. Instead, it is worked into the body paragraphs of the sections on similarities and differences. The conclusion then uses these two sections (similarities and differences) to tie in points of comparison and contrast between the works. Format B better suits papers that are topically organized. Format B is outlined below.Format B OutlineI. Introduction consists of four parts usually discussed in one paragraph.a. Identify the general topic being discussed.b. Mention trends published about the topic.c. State thesis establishing the reason for writing the literaturereview.d. Explain criteria by giving a description of each of the criteria used in evaluating theliterature review and rationalizing its organizationII.Similiarities within the research are discussed.a. First similarity among research is discussed.b. Second similarity among research is discussed.c. Third similiarity among research is discussed.III. Differences in the research are discussed.a.First difference between research is discussedb.Second difference between research is discussedc.Third difference between research is discussedIV. Conclusion/Summarya. Summarize points of comparison or contrast between the works.b. Provide insight into relationship between the topic of the literature and a largerarea of study such as a specific discipline or profession.The most important thing to remember when organizing a literature review is that it is not a list summarizing one work after another. The review should be organized into sections according to theme that are set apart by subject-related headings. REVIEW1.Which format have you chosen for your literature review? Why?M A Literature Review Checklist: MDid I . . . . . . ?□ Establish a valid thesis based on the examined research□ State this thesis clearly in my introduction□ Define unfamiliar terms□ Incorporate background information to define the problem□ Begin each entry in the review with a complete bibliographical reference□ List and describe the hypothesis/thesis in each work reviewed□ Describe the outcome of the work or the research□ Develop and incorporate my own comments, including response to the research, similarities and differences among literature reviewed, and reservations regarding author’s methods or conclusions□ Avoid overquoting□ Check for grammar and punctuation errors□ Correctly cite all references in uniform documentation styleM Resources MBrightwell, G. and Shaw, J. (1997-98). Writing up research. RetrievedAugust 20, 2002 from Languages and Educational Development at theAsian Institute of Technology’s Web page at/doc/8b508cc25fbfc77da269b1c1.html nguages.ait.ac.th/EL21OPEN.HTMCentral Queensland University Library. (2000). The literature review. RetrievedJuly 22, 2003 from /doc/8b508cc25fbfc77da269b1c1.html .au/litreviewpages/Cuba, L. (2002). A short guide to writing about social science. New York:Addison-Wesley Publishers.Leibensperger, S. (2003). Setting the table: Encouraging collaborative environments with spatial arrangement in the writing center. Unpublished literature review.Northern Arizona University. (1999). Electronic textbook - A blast from thepast: Your literature review. Retrieved May 30, 2002 from/doc/8b508cc25fbfc77da269b1c1.html /~mid/edr720/class/literature/blast/reading2-1-1.htmlTaylor, D., & Procter, M. (2001). The literature review: A few tips onconducting it. Retrieved June 17, 2002 fromhttp://www.utoronto.ca/writing/litrev.htmlTrinder, L. (2002). Appendix. The literature review. Retrieved August 27, 2003/doc/8b508cc25fbfc77da269b1c1.html /~w071/teaching/ppf/Appendix%20Lit%20Review.pdfThe University of Wisconsin-Madison Writing Center. (2001). Academicwriting: Reviews of literature. Retrieved May 30, 2002 from/doc/8b508cc25fbfc77da269b1c1.html /writing/Handbook/ReviewofLiterature.html*In traditional APA style, this section would be entitled “References” and would be listed on a separate page double-spaced. Due to space constraints in this packet, it has been formatted differently.Copyright 2003 by the Academic Center and the University of Houston-Victoria.Created 2003 by Candice Chovanec-Melzow.。

一些英文审稿意见的模板最近在审一篇英文稿，第一次做这个工作，还有点不知如何表达。

幸亏遇上我的处女审稿，我想不会枪毙它的，给他一个major revision后接收吧。

呵呵网上找来一些零碎的资料参考参考。

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++1、目标和结果不清晰。

It is noted that your manuscript needs careful editing by someone with expertise in technical English editing paying particular attention to English grammar， spelling，and sentence structure so that the goals and results of the study are clear to the reader。

2、未解释研究方法或解释不充分。

In general, there is a lack of explanation of replicates and statistical methods used in the study。

Furthermore, an explanation of why the authors did these various experiments should be provided。

3、对于研究设计的rationale：Also， there are few explanations of the rationale for the study design。

4、夸张地陈述结论/夸大成果/不严谨：The conclusions are overstated。

For example, the study did not showif the side effects from initial copper burst can be avoid with the polymer formulation.5、对hypothesis的清晰界定：A hypothesis needs to be presented。

Writing a Literature ReviewA literature review…•Provides an overview and a critical evaluation of a body of literature relating to a research topic ora research problem.•Analyzes a body of literature in order to classify it by themes or categories, rather than simply discussing individual works one after another.•Presents the research and ideas of the field rather than each individual work or author by itself.A literature review often forms part of a larger research project, such as within a thesis (or major research paper), or it may be an independent written work, such as a synthesis paper.Purpose of a literature reviewA literature review situates your topic in relation to previous research and illuminates a spot for your research. It accomplishes several goals:•provides background for your topic using previous research.•shows you are familiar with previous, relevant research.•evaluates the depth and breadth of the research in regards to your topic.•determines remaining questions or aspects of your topic in need of research.Relationship between a literature review and a research projectAcademic research at the graduate level is always part of a dialogue among researchers. As a graduate student, you must therefore indicate that you know where your topic is positioned within your field of study.Therefore, a literature review is a key part of most research projects at the graduate level. There is often a reciprocal relationship between a literature review and the research project for which it is written:• A research project is often undertaken in response to a literature review. Doing the literature review for a topic often reveals areas requiring further research. In this way, writing the literature review helps to formulate the research question.• A literature review helps to establish the validity of a research project by revealing gaps in the existing literature on a topic that offer opportunities for new research.Importance of the research questionOnce identified, the research question will drive the research project. Whatever you read or write should have a clear connection to your question.How to write a strong literature reviewThere are several steps toward writing a strong literature review:1.Synthesize and evaluate information2.Identify the main ideas of the literature3.Identify the main argument of the literature reviewanize the main points of the literature review5.Write literature review1. Synthesize and evaluate informationA literature review requires critical thinking, reading, and writing. You will take the information that you have gathered through your research and synthesize and evaluate it by indicating important ideas and trends in the literature and explaining their significance.Strategies for reading•As soon as you begin reading, take note of the themes or categories that you see emerging. These may be used later to develop a structure for the literature review.•Take note of how other writers classify their data, the literature in their fields, etc. It can be helpful to read literature reviews in your discipline to see how they are structured.Categories for analysis and comparisonA strong literature review examines each work on its own and in relation to other works by identifying and then analyzing them with regards to a number of different research aspects and ideas. Here are some possible categories to use for comparison and analysis.topicargumentresults found and conclusions methodstheoretical approach key wordsOverall, a literature review seeks to answer the following questions:•What does the literature tell you?•What does the literature not tell you?•Why is this important?Questions for analyzing individual works-What is the argument? Is it logically developed? Is it well defended?-What kind of research is presented? What are the methods used? Do they allow the author to address your research question effectively? Is each argument or point based on relevant research?If not, why?-What theoretical approach does the author adopt? Does it allow the researcher to make convincing points and draw convincing conclusions? Are the author’s biases and presuppositions openlypresented, or do you have to identify them indirectly? If so, why?-Overall, how convincing is the argument? Are the conclusions relevant to the field of study? Questions for comparing works-What are the main arguments? Do the authors make similar or different arguments? Are some arguments more convincing than others?-How has research been conducted in the literature? How extensive has it been? What kinds of datahave been presented? How pertinent are they? Are there sufficient amounts of data? Do theyadequately answer the questions?-What are the different types of methodologies used? How well do they work? Is one methodology more effective than others? Why?-What are the different theoretical frameworks or approaches used? What do they allow the authors to do? How well do they work? Is one approach more effective than others? Why?-Overall, is one work more convincing than others? Why? Or are the works you have compared too different to evaluate against each other?The Academic Writing Help Centre offers more information on synthesis and evaluation in the discussion group and accompanying handout on Information Management for a Literature Review.2. Identify the main ideas of the literatureOnce you have begun to synthesize your research, you will begin to identify some main ideas and trends that pervade the topic or that pertain to your research question.Use these main ideas to classify the information and sources that you have read. Later, these ideas can be used as the main topics of discussion in the literature review, and if you have already organized your literature on these topics, it will be easy to summarize the literature, find examples, etc.3. Identify the main argument of the literature reviewJust like any academic paper, the literature review should have a main idea about the literature that you would like the readers to understand. This argument is closely related to your research question in that it presents a situation in the body of literature which motivates your research question.ExampleArgument from a literature review: “Although some historians make a correlation between the Ukrainian Catholic and Orthodox churches and the retention of Ukrainian culture and language by Ukrainian immigrants in Canada, little has been said of the role of the Roman Catholic Church in the development of Ukrainian communities in Canada.”Research question:“How has the Roman Catholic Church shaped Ukrainian-Canadian identity?”4. Organize the main points of the literature reviewAfter identifying the main ideas that need to be presented in the literature review, you will organize them in such a way as to support the main argument. A well-organized literature review presents the relevant aspects of the topic in a coherent order that leads readers to understand the context and significance of your research question and project.As you organize the ideas for writing, keep track of the supporting ideas, examples, and sources that you will be using for each point.5. Write the literature reviewOnce the main ideas of the literature review are in order, writing can flow much more smoothly. The following tips provide some strategies to make your literature review even stronger.Tips for Writing and PresentationGive structure to the literature review.Like any academic paper, a literature review should contain an introduction, a body and a conclusion, and should be centered on a main idea or argument about the literature you are reviewing.If the literature review is a longer document or section, section headers can be useful to highlight the main points for the reader. However, the different sections should still flow together.Explain the relevance of material you use and cite.It is important to show that you know what other authors have written on your topic. However, you should not simply restate what others have said; rather, explain what the information or quoted material means in relation to your literature review.•Is there a relevant connection between a specific quote or information and the corresponding argument or point you are making about the literature? What is it?•Why is it necessary to include this piece of information or quote?Use verb tenses strategically.•Present tense is used for relating what other authors say and for discussing the literature, theoretical concepts, methods, etc.“In her article on biodiversity, Jones stipulates that ….”In addition, use the present tense when you present your observations on the literature.“However, on the important question of extinction, Jones remains silent.”•Past tense is used for recounting events, results found, etc.“Jones and Green conducted experiments over a ten-year period. They determined that it was not possible to recreate the specimen.”BibliographyBell, Judith. Doing Your Research Project: A Guide for First-time Researchers in Education, Health and Social Science.Maidenhead, Berkshire: Open University Press, 2005.Boote, David N. and Penny Beile. “Scholars before researchers: On the centrality of the dissertation literature review in research preparation.” Educational researcher, 34.6 (2005): 3-15.Booth, Wayne C., Gregory G. Colomb, and Joseph M. Williams. The Craft of Research. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2003.Verma, Gajendra K. and Kanka Mallick. Researching Education: Perspectives and Techniques. London: Falmer Press, 1999.The Writing Center, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill. Literature Reviews. Chapel Hill, NC. 2005. Available /depts/wcweb/handouts/literature_review.html.© 2007 Academic Writing Help Centre, University of Ottawawww.sass.uottawa.ca/writing 613-562-5601 cartu@uOttawa.ca。

ai写文献综述英文版Writing a literature review in English involves several steps and considerations. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to write a literature review:1. Understand the Purpose: The purpose of a literature review is to provide an overview and critical evaluation of existing research on a specific topic. It helps identify the current state of knowledge, gaps in research, and potential areas for further investigation.2. Select a Topic: Choose a specific research topicthat is relevant and interesting. It should have enough existing literature to review.3. Conduct a Literature Search: Use academic databases, search engines, and other relevant sources to gather scholarly articles, books, and other publications related to your topic. Ensure that your sources are recent and reputable.4. Organize Your Sources: Create a system to manage and organize your sources. This can be done using reference management software like EndNote or Mendeley. Keep track of the bibliographic information, including authors,publication dates, titles, and page numbers.5. Read and Evaluate: Read each source carefully and critically evaluate its relevance, credibility, and methodology. Take notes on key findings, arguments, and any gaps in the research.6. Identify Themes and Patterns: Look for common themes, ideas, and patterns across the literature. Group similar sources together based on their main arguments or findings.7. Develop an Outline: Create an outline for your literature review. It should include an introduction, main body paragraphs organized by themes, and a conclusion. The introduction should provide background information andstate the purpose of the review. The main body paragraphs should discuss the findings from each theme or subtopic.The conclusion should summarize the main points andhighlight any gaps or areas for future research.8. Write the Review: Start by writing an engaging introduction that provides context and states theobjectives of the review. In the main body paragraphs, present a synthesis of the literature, discussing the main findings, theories, and methodologies. Be sure tocritically analyze and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each source. Use smooth transitions between paragraphs to maintain a logical flow. In the conclusion, summarize the key points and provide suggestions for future research.9. Revise and Edit: Review your draft for clarity, coherence, and logical structure. Ensure that your arguments are well-supported by evidence. Check for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. Seek feedback from peersor professors to improve the quality of your review.10. Cite and Reference: Use the appropriate citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, or Chicago) to cite your sourceswithin the text and create a reference list or bibliography at the end of your review. Make sure to follow the specific formatting guidelines of the chosen citation style.In conclusion, writing a literature review in English requires careful planning, thorough research, critical analysis, and effective writing skills. By following these steps, you can create a comprehensive and well-structured literature review. Remember to acknowledge thecontributions of other researchers and avoid plagiarism by properly citing all sources used in your review.。

How to Write a Paper (Literature Review) for a Social Science Course 怎样写社会科学课程的文献综述Dennis H. Karpowitz, Department of PsychologyCopyright [Dennis H. Karpowitz] All Rights ReservedStep 1. Start Early第一步：尽早着手A good review paper takes thought, time and effort.一个好的文献综述需要很多思考，甚多时间和精力。

It may take time to locate important relevant journal articles.确定重要且相关的杂志文章也许要花些时间。

A relevant book may be in use by someone else and it takes time to get it back and check it out to you.你所需要的相关专著可能别人正在使用，你需要花些时间等那人还回在借过来。

Step 2. Select a topic relevant to the course第二步：选择与课程相关的一个题目Read an overview of the topic you choose in a text or professional book. Such an overview will give you a general feeling for the relevant variables and issues important to your topic. Your paper should be more specific, more narrow and deeper than such an overview.读一下课本或专著中你所选题的综述概况。

Literature ReviewThis packet details the steps necessary to produce a literature review that may be required for work in various disciplines, including English, history and psychology. This packet is not intended to replace instructor guidelines and should not be used in that manner. The packet’s intended use is as a supplement to classroom instruction on assembling a literature review. Therefore, it contains only general information that must be tailored to fit specific guidelines as required by your discipline and by your instructor.This packet is subdivided into six sections:I. General InformationStates what a literature review is and what purpose it serves.II. ProcessGives step-by-step instructions on how to get started on your literature review.III. OrganizationExplains the two most common ways of arranging information in a literature review.IV. FormatProvides descriptions for two of the most common formats used in a literature review, the item to item comparison and contrast (Format A) and the criteria to criteria comparison and contrast (Format B).V. ChecklistAllows appraisal of your completed literature review to assure that it follows all necessary guidelines.VI. ResourcesLists helpful resources used to compile this packet so that you may obtain further information.M General Information MDefinitionLiterature reviews can have two roles: In their first role, they function as a stand-alone paper. At other times they will actually be part of a larger research thesis. In this handout, literature reviews will be referred to in the stand-alone sense. As a stand-alone paper, literature reviews are multi-layered and are more formal and detailed than book reviews. As the author of a literature review, you must become familiar with a large amount of research on a specific topic. You will then develop your own thesis about the topic related to this research. After this, you will classify and critically analyze research on the topic by making a comparison between several different studies and by emphasizing how these studies and their comparison relate to your own thesis.In effect, a literature review is a paper that compiles, outlines and evaluates previously established research and relates it to your own thesis. It provides a context for readers as if theywere researching the topic on their own. Just from reading your paper, readers should be able to gain insight into the amount and quality of research on the topic. Your thesis and the literature reviewed serve several important functions within the paper:• Your thesis creates a foundation for the literature review because it helps narrow the topic by providing a sense of direction; however, you will have to conduct some initial research and reading before deciding on an appropriate thesis. Your personal thesis may be a statement addressing some of the following situations: “why your research needs to be carried out, how you came to choose certain methodologies or theories to work with, how your work adds to the research already carried out” (Brightwell, G. and Shaw, J., 1997-98), or it may present some other logical perspective.• Reviewed literature is organized in a logical manner that best suits the topic of the review and the hypothesis of the literature (see Organization and Format). The selected method of organization and style of format should draw attention to similarities and differences among the reviewed literature; these similarities and differences are based on specific criteria you revealed in the literature review’s introduction. According to Brightwell and Shaw (1997-98), your goal in the body of the review “. . . should be to evaluate and show relationships between the work already done (Is Researcher Y’s theory more convincing than Researcher X’s? Did Researcher X build on the work of Researcher Y?) and between this work and your own [thesis].” Additional information on these topics can be found in the Organization and Format sections of this packet. Therefore, carefully planned organization is an essential part of any literature review.PurposeAlthough literature reviews may vary according to discipline, their overall goal is similar. A literature review serves as a compilation of the most significant sources on a subject and relates the findings of each of these sources in a rational manner while supporting the literature review author’s own thesis. A literature review establishes which sources are most relevant to its author’s point and which sources are most credible to the discipline at hand.In a literature review, the results of previous research are summarized, organized and evaluated. Discipline-SpecificityA literature review’s organization, format, level of detail and citation style may vary according to discipline because different disciplines have different audiences. Examples here pertain to the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities.• Natural and social sciences The author of a literature review in the natural or social sciences must pay close attention to measurements, study populations and technical aspects of experimental findings. Typically, a portion of the natural or social sciences literature review is set aside for reviewing sources on the primary topic. Then, a comparative analysis or discussion section is used to analyze the similarities and differences among the sources, tying them in with the literature review author’s original thesis.• Humanities The author of a literature review in the humanities usually does not set aside a special section for reviewing the sources; instead, citations may be found randomly throughout the paper. The literature being reviewed is arranged according to paragraphs based on the author’s points, which in turn, support the author’s thesis. The paper itself may not be called a literature review at all. It is more likely to be called a critical analysis.Remember that the best bet for determining what type of literature review is appropriate for your course is checking with the instructor prior to beginning research.REVIEW1. What is the purpose of a literature review? What is the connection between theauthor’s thesis and the literature being reviewed?2. What discipline will your literature review be classified in?M Process M1. Find several articles that deal with your research topic. Sometimes it is helpful to review the bibliography of one of the first scholarly sources that you encounter and compare it to the bibliographies of other sources on the topic. If the same source is listed within several of these bibliographies, it is probably a fundamental, credible source that will aid you in your review.2. Before you begin reviewing literature, realize that you are looking to accomplish two things:A. Defining your research problem/thesis (examples: finding a flaw inresearch, continuing previous research, etc . . .)B. Reading and evaluating significant works that are relevant to yourresearch problem.You will be conducting Steps A and B simultaneously because the two form a circular pattern. As you read related sources (Step B), you define your problem, and as you define your problem (Step A) you will more easily be able to decide what material is relevant enough to be worthy of reading (Step B).3. Once you begin reviewing, make an entry with complete bibliographical information and comments for each work that you are going to include in the review.4. Compare the articles by evaluating the similarities and differences among them. This will be the initial stage in the formulation of your thesis.5. Form a thesis that is clearly written and can be logically supported by the literature you will include in your review.6. View the articles briefly again and jot down any notes that seem to relateto your thesis.7. Decide which organizational pattern and format are best for the topic of your review.8. Construct an appropriate outline for the literature review.9. Write an introduction that introduces the topic, reveals your thesis statement, and arranges key issues.10. Organize and write the body of your paper according to the appropriate format: topical or chronological.11. Write a conclusion that reconciles similarities and differences on the topic and reemphasizes the criteria used to arrive at this conclusion.plete the final draft of the literature review.13. Check over the final draft for grammar and punctuation errors.14. Use the checklist provided here to make sure that all parts of the literature review are addressed and focused.REVIEW1. What do you consider to be the most crucial step(s) in the process of your literature review ? Why? Justify your response(s).A literature review can be arranged either topically or chronologically.Topical organization occurs in reviews where previous research being evaluated is divided into segments with each one representing a part of some larger issue. In a topical review, the author begins by describing the characteristics of research shared by several studies and then moves on to analyze their similarities and differences. For more information, see the example below.ExampleThe organization of a literature review begins in the introduction. For example, in the introduction of a literature review about the effect of seating arrangements on peer tutoringcommunication, you would first introduce the topic and what your literature review will attempt to assess:…Writing centers can set the table for collaborative tutoring sessions through a careful consideration of spatial arrangement . . .Then state what angle is going to be explored:…These studies will be used to support the author’s claims that spatial arrangement is instrumental in encouraging collaborative environments in the writing center…Then, arrange key issues that will be addressed in this review by answering questions that you have personally developed and are tailored to fit your topic. In the introduction, give the audience a clear picture of how you will organize your paper: Establishing a Critical Response for a Literature ReviewYou may find this section helpful at Steps 3, 4 and 5 of the process. When reviewing your sources, explore the following areas to help develop your critical response:What is the purpose of the research or work?What research or literary methods are used?How do the major concepts operate?In a research study, how accurate are the measurements?In a literary work, is the author’s position objective or biased? What are the different interpretations of the results of the studyor of the literary work itself?M Organization MIn the following, I1 first review some relevant research concerning spatial arrangement and then discuss some recommended and alternate seating arrangements to encourage a collaborative environment in the writing center. Finally, I include some other considerations.In the body of this literature review, you would organize the information topically around each point (or question) that you asked yourself:-Research Review-Recommended Spatial Arrangement-Alternative Spatial Arrangement-Other ConsiderationsThen, write a conclusion that explains the significance of your findings:…While the seating arrangements outlined above are generally a good ‘setting’ for peer tutoring sessions, we should remember that each tutoring session is unique. Not all students will be comfortable with a side-by-side spatial arrangement at a round table. Tutors should be perceptive of and receptive to students who may have other spatial needs…Chronological organization occurs when a review is organized in time order and is most often used when a historical context is needed for discussing a topic from its beginning to its current state; chronological organization is especially helpful when discussing inactive periods and shifts in perspective on a given topic.ExampleThe organization of a literature review begins in the introduction. For example, in the introduction of a literature review entitled Development of Social Science Research on Attitudes Towards Gender in America, you would first introduce the topic and what your review hopes to assess:…This literature review will assess the development of research designed to uncover gender attitudes in America during the latter part of the 20th Century…Then state what angle is going to be explored:..As research progressed throughout the 20th century, the methods that social scientists use for measuring these attitudes developed and changed as well…Then, chronologically arrange issues that will be addressed in this review:Gender stereotypes still exist today, and varying attitudes can be traced over the past fifty years. Survey instruments used to gather data on these varying attitudes have also changed drastically over the course of time.In the body of this literature review, you would organize the information chronologically, adressing each point (or question) that is being asked for a particular time period:-Stereotypes and Survey Instruments of the 1950’s-Stereotypes and Survey Instruments of the 1960’s-Stereotypes and Survey Instruments of the 1970’s-Stereotypes and Survey Instruments of the 1980’s-Stereotypes and Survey Instruments of the 1990’s-Current Advancements1 Always clear the use of I with your instructor. An alternative to this would be the use of third person wording, such as “This paper reviews some relevant research concerning spatial arrangement and then discusses some recommended and alternate seating arrangements to encourage a collaborative environment in the writing center.”Then, write a conclusion that explains the significance of your findings:Although the survey instruments used in the 1950’s and 1960’s developed an obvious bias when surveying Americans regarding gender attitudes, the 1970’s brought about great change. Today social scientists are more careful than ever about testing the quality of a survey instrument before using it on the general public.M Format MThere are also two suggested formats for composing your literature review. Format A is used when comparing several studies that have similar hypothesis but different findings. Each piece of research is summarized individually. Format A is good for reviews with a small number of entries; however, this format may confuse the audience when used with a large number of reviews because descriptions of so many studies may get in the way of the analysis. Keep in mind that each piece of research usually will not receive equal attention in the review.Format A OutlineI. Introduction consists of four parts that are usually discussed in one paragraph.a. Identify the general topic being discussed.b. Mention trends published about the topic.c. State thesis establishing the reason for writing the literaturereview.d. Explain criteria by giving a description of each of the criteria used in evaluating theliterature review and rationalizing its organizationII. Literature reviewed section is divided up according to study.a.First study is summarized and discussed.b.Second study is summarized and discussed.c. Third study is summarized and discussed.III. Comparative analysis acknowledges the similarities and differences between studies.a. Similarities (if any) among the studies are evaluated and discussed.b. Differences (if any) among the studies are evaluated and discussed.IV. Conclusion/Summary effectively wraps up the review.a.Summarize points of comparison or contrast among the works based on Section IIIof your review.b.Provide insight of relationship between the topic of the review and a larger area ofstudy such as a specific discipline or professionFormat B organizes the literature review according to similarities and differences among research rather than by literature studied. In a review organized according to Format B, little background information on the literature being reviewed is given outright. Instead, it is worked into the body paragraphs of the sections on similarities and differences. The conclusion then uses these two sections (similarities and differences) to tie in points of comparison and contrast between the works. Format B better suits papers that are topically organized. Format B is outlined below.Format B OutlineI. Introduction consists of four parts usually discussed in one paragraph.a. Identify the general topic being discussed.b. Mention trends published about the topic.c. State thesis establishing the reason for writing the literaturereview.d. Explain criteria by giving a description of each of the criteria used in evaluating theliterature review and rationalizing its organizationII.Similiarities within the research are discussed.a. First similarity among research is discussed.b. Second similarity among research is discussed.c. Third similiarity among research is discussed.III. Differences in the research are discussed.a.First difference between research is discussedb.Second difference between research is discussedc.Third difference between research is discussedIV. Conclusion/Summarya. Summarize points of comparison or contrast between the works.b. Provide insight into relationship between the topic of the literature and a largerarea of study such as a specific discipline or profession.The most important thing to remember when organizing a literature review is that it is not a list summarizing one work after another. The review should be organized into sections according to theme that are set apart by subject-related headings.REVIEW1.Which format have you chosen for your literature review? Why?M A Literature Review Checklist: MDid I . . . . . . ?□ Establish a valid thesis based on the examined research□ State this thesis clearly in my introduction□ Define unfamiliar terms□ Incorporate background information to define the problem□ Begin each entry in the review with a complete bibliographical reference□ List and describe the hypothesis/thesis in each work reviewed□ Describe the outcome of the work or the research□ Develop and incorporate my own comments, including response to the research, similarities and differences among literature reviewed, and reservations regarding author’s methods or conclusions□ Avoid overquoting□ Check for grammar and punctuation errors□ Correctly cite all references in uniform documentation styleM Resources MBrightwell, G. and Shaw, J. (1997-98). Writing up research. RetrievedAugust 20, 2002 from Languages and Educational Development at theAsian Institute of Technology’s Web page atnguages.ait.ac.th/EL21OPEN.HTMCentral Queensland University Library. (2000). The literature review. RetrievedJuly 22, 2003 from .au/litreviewpages/Cuba, L. (2002). A short guide to writing about social science. New York:Addison-Wesley Publishers.Leibensperger, S. (2003). Setting the table: Encouraging collaborative environments with spatial arrangement in the writing center. Unpublished literature review.Northern Arizona University. (1999). Electronic textbook - A blast from thepast: Your literature review. Retrieved May 30, 2002 from/~mid/edr720/class/literature/blast/reading2-1-1.htmlTaylor, D., & Procter, M. (2001). The literature review: A few tips onconducting it. Retrieved June 17, 2002 fromhttp://www.utoronto.ca/writing/litrev.htmlTrinder, L. (2002). Appendix. The literature review. Retrieved August 27, 2003/~w071/teaching/ppf/Appendix%20Lit%20Review.pdfThe University of Wisconsin-Madison Writing Center. (2001). Academicwriting: Reviews of literature. Retrieved May 30, 2002 from/writing/Handbook/ReviewofLiterature.html*In traditional APA style, this section would be entitled “References” and would be listed on a separate page double-spaced. Due to space constraints in this packet, it has been formatted differently.Copyright 2003 by the Academic Center and the University of Houston-Victoria.Created 2003 by Candice Chovanec-Melzow.。

DefinitionA literature review（文献综述）is both a summary and explanation of the complete and current state of knowledge on a limited topic as found in academic books （学术著作）and journal articles（期刊论文）. There are two kinds of literature reviews you might write at university: one that students are asked to write as a stand-alone assignment in a course, often as part of their training in the research processes in their field, and the other that is written as part of an introduction to, or preparation for, a longer work, usually a thesis or research report. The focus and perspective of your review and the kind of hypothesis（假设）or thesis argument you make will be determined by what kind of review you are writing. One way to understand the differences between these two types is to read published literature reviews or the first chapters of theses and dissertations（学位论文）in your own subject area. Analyze the structure of their arguments and note the way they address the issues.Purpose of the Literature Review∙It gives readers easy access to research on a particular topic by selecting high quality articles or studies that are relevant, meaningful, important and valid（有效的）and summarizing them into one complete report.∙It provides an excellent starting point for researchers beginning to do research ina new area by forcing them to summarize, evaluate, and compare originalresearch in that specific area.∙It ensures that researchers do not duplicate work that has already been done. 你所整理的文章中作者主要观察的重点是什么∙It can provide clues（线索）as to where future research is heading or recommend areas on which to focus. 现在的研究都到了什么程度∙It highlights key findings.∙It identifies inconsistencies（矛盾）, gaps and contradictions in the literature.∙It provides a constructive analysis of the methodologies and approaches of other researchers. 前面研究者的建设性的方法和途径Content of the ReviewIntroductionThe introduction explains the focus and establishes the importance of the subject（主题）. It discusses what kind of work has been done on the topic and identifies a ny controversies（争议）within the field or any recent research which has raised questions about earlier assumptions（假设）. It may provide background or history. It concludes with a purpose or thesis statement（中心思想）. In a stand-alone literature review, this statement will sum up and evaluate the state of the art （目前的工艺水平）in this field of research; in a review that is an introduction or preparatory to（为~~做准备）a thesis or research report, it will suggest how the review findings will lead to the research the writer proposes to undertake.Body（论文的内容）Often divided by headings/subheadings（标题/副标题）, the body summarizes and evaluates the current state of knowledge in the field. It notes major themes or topics, the most important trends, and any findings about which researchers agree or disagree. Ifthe review is preliminary to （在~~之前）your own thesis or research project, its purpose is to make an argument that will justify your proposed research. Therefore, it will discuss only that research which leads directly to your own project.ConclusionThe conclusion summarizes all the evidence presented and shows its significance. If the review is an introduction to your own research, it highlights gaps and indicates how previous research leads to your own research project and chosen methodology. If the review is a stand-alone assignment for a course, it should suggest any practical applications of the research as well as the implications and possibilities for future research.Nine Steps to Writing a Literature Review（九步法写综述）1. Find a working topic.Look at your specific area of study. Think about what interests you, and what fertile ground for study is. Talk to your professor, brainstorm, and read lecture notes and recentissues of periodicals（期刊）in the field.2. Review the literature.∙Using keywords search a computer database. It is best to use at least two databases relevant to your discipline.∙Remember that the reference lists of recent articles and reviews can lead to valuable papers.∙Make certain that you also include any studies contrary to your point of view.3. Focus your topic narrowly and select papers accordingly.Consider the following:∙What interests you?∙What interests others?∙What time span（时间跨度）of research will you consider?Choose an area of research that is due for a review.4. Read the selected articles thoroughly and evaluate them.∙What assumptions do most/some researchers seem to be making?∙What methodologies do they use? - What testing procedures, subjects, material tested?∙Evaluate and synthesize（综合）the research findings and conclusions drawn.∙Note experts（专家）in the field: names/labs that are frequently referenced.∙Note conflicting theories, results, and methodologies.∙Watch for popularity of theories and how this has/has not changed over time.5. Organize the selected papers by looking for patterns and by developing sub-topics. Note things such as:∙Findings that are common/contested（争论）∙Two or three important trends in the research∙The most influential theories6. Develop a working thesis.Write a one- or two-sentence statement summarizing the conclusion you have reached about the major trends and developments you see in the research that has been done on your subject.7. Organize your own paper based on the findings from steps 4 & 5.Develop headings/subheadings. If your literature review is extensive, find a large table surface, and on it place post-it notes（便签纸）or filing cards（档案卡）to organize all your findings into categories. Move them around if you decide that (a) they fit better under different headings, or (b) you need to establish new topic headings.8. Write the body of the paperFollow the plan you have developed above, making certain that each section links logically to the one before and after and that you have divided your sections by themes or subtopics, not by reporting the work of individual theorists or researchers.9. Look at what you have written; focus on analysis, not description.Look at the topic sentences of each paragraph. If you were to read only these sentences, would you find that your paper presented a clear position, logically developed, from beginning to end? If, for example, you find that each paragraph begins with a researcher's name, it might indicate that, instead of evaluating and comparing the research literature from an analytical point of view, you have simply described what research has been done. This is one of the most common problems with student literature reviews. So if your paper still does not appear to be defined by a central,Finishing Touches: Revising and Editing Your Work∙Read your work out loud. That way you will be better able to identify where you need punctuation marks（标点符号）to signal pauses or divisions withinsentences, where you have made grammatical errors, or where your sentences are unclear.∙Since the purpose of a literature review is to demonstrate that the writer is familiar with the important professional literature on the chosen subject, check to make certain that you have covered all of the important, up-to-date, andpertinent texts. In the sciences and some of the social sciences it is importantthat your literature be quite recent; this is not so important in the humanities.∙Make certain that all of the citations and references are correct and that you are referencing in the appropriate style for your discipline. If you are uncertain which style to use, ask your professor.∙Check to make sure that you have not plagiarized either by failing to cite a source of information, or by using words quoted directly from a source. (Usually if you take three or more words directly from another source, you should putthose words within quotation marks, and cite the page.)∙Text should be written in a clear and concise academic style; it should not be descriptive in nature or use the language of everyday speech.∙There should be no grammatical or spelling errors.∙Sentences should flow smoothly and logically.∙In a paper in the sciences, or in some of the social sciences, the use of subheadings to organize the review is recommended.。

Literature reviewWhat is a literature review?A literature review is a description of the literature relevant to a particular field or topic. This is often written as part of a postgraduate thesis proposal, or at the commencement of a thesis. A critical literature review is a critical assessment of the relevant literature. It is unlikely that you will be able to write a truly critical assessment of the literature until you have a good grasp of the subject, usually at some point near the end of your thesis.The review, like other forms of expository writing, has an introduction, body and conclusion, well-formed paragraphs, and a logical structure. However, in other kinds of expository writing, you use relevant literature to support the discussion of your thesis; in a literature review, the literature itself is the subject of discussion.What counts as 'literature'?‘Literature’ covers everything relevant that is written on a topic: books, journal articles, newspaper articles, historical records, government reports, theses and dissertations, etc. The important word is 'relevant'. Check with your supervisor or tutor when in doubt.Why do a literature review?A literature review is written to highlight specific arguments and ideas in a field of study. By highlighting these arguments, the writer attempts to show what has been studied in the field, and also where the weaknesses, gaps, or areas needing further study are. The review should therefore also demonstrate to the reader why the writer’s research is useful, necessary, important, and valid.A review of the literature has the following functions:•To justify your choice of research question, theoretical or conceptual framework, and method •To establish the importance of the topic•To provide background information needed to understand the study•To show readers you are familiar with significant and/or up-to-date research relevant to the topic•To establish your study as one link in a chain of research that is developing knowledge in your fieldHow many references to look for?This depends on what the literature review is for, and what stage you are at in your studies. Your supervisor or tutor should specify a minimum number of references.Generally speaking, a reasonable number of references in a literature review would be:undergraduate review: 5-20 titles depending on level.Honours dissertation: 20+ titles.Masters thesis: 40+ titlesDoctoral thesis: 50+ titles.How to write a literature review1.The literature search2.Noting the bibliographical details3.Finding the literature4.Reading the literatureTake notes as you read the literature. You are reading to find out how each piece of writing approaches the subject of your research, what it has to say about it, and (especially for research students) how it relates to your own thesis:Is it a general textbook or does it deal with a specific issue(s)?Is it an empirical report, a theoretical study, a sociological or political account, a historical overview, etc? All or some of these?Does it follow a particular school of thought?What is its theoretical basis?What definitions does it use?What is its general methodological approach? What methods are used?What kinds of data does it use to back up its argument?What conclusions does it come to?5. Writing the reviewHaving gathered the relevant details about the literature, you now need to write the review. The kind of review you write, and the amount of detail, will depend on the level of your studies.Note 1: do not confuse a literature review with an annotated bibliography.An annotated bibliography deals with each text in turn, describing and evaluating the text, using one paragraph for each text.In contrast, a literature review groups related works together and discusses trends and developments rather than focusing on one item at a time. It is not a summary; rather, it evaluates previous and current research in regard to how relevant and/or useful it is and how it relates to your own research.A Literature Review is more than an Annotated Bibliography or a summary, because you are organizing and presenting your sources in terms of their overall relationship to your own project.Note 2: think of the review as a funnelThe review must be shaped by a focus on key areas of interest, including research which provides a background to the topic (depending on whether it is for an Honours thesis or for a PhD). It should also be selective. A common mistake in writing the review is to comment on everything you have read regardless of its relevance. In your writing it is useful to think of the review as a funnel - start wide with the overview and then quickly narrow into discussing the research that relates to your specific topic.•Another way of looking at the process, particularly if you are examining several topics (or variables), is to think of yourself as a film director (Rudestam and Newton, 1992). You can think of providing your audience with:•long shots to provide a solid sense of the background•middle distance shots where the key figures and elements to be examined are brought clearly into view•close-up shots where the precise focus of your work is pinpointedSections of literature reviewLike all academic writing, A literature review is written in essay format. It must have an introduction, body, and conclusion.The introduction should include:1)the nature of the topic under discussion (the topic of your thesis)2)the parameters of the topic (what does it include and exclude)?3)the basis for your selection of the literatureThe conclusion should include:1)A summary of major agreements and disagreements in the literature2)A summary of general conclusions that are being drawn.3)A summary of where your thesis sits in the literatureThe body paragraphs could include relevant paragraphs on:1)historical background, including classic texts;2)current mainstream versus alternative theoretical or ideological viewpoints, including differing theoretical assumptions, differing political outlooks, and other conflicts;3)possible approaches to the subject (empirical, philosophical, historical, postmodernist, etc);4)definitions in use;5)current research studies;6)current discoveries about the topic;7)principal questions that are being asked;8)general conclusions that are being drawn;9)methodologies and methods in use;Structure of literature reviewThere are several ways to organize and structure a literature review. Two common ways are chronologically and thematically.1)Chronological: group and discuss your sources in order of their appearance (usuallypublication), highlighting the changes in research in the field and your specific topic over time.e.g. metaphor—how the definition of it changes through time by giving some examplesof key concepts made by scholars, and ending with current thoeries and the definition you will use in your thesis2)Thematic: group and discuss your sources in terms of the themes or topics they cover.This method is often a stronger one organizationally, and it can help you resist the urge to summarize your sources. By grouping themes or topics of research together, you will be able to demonstrate the types of topics that are important to your research.e.g. study of Feminism in Jane Eyre—commnets on Charlotte Brontecomments on Jane Eyrecomments on Feminism※No matter which method you choose, remember:Within each section of a literature review, it is important to discuss how the research relates to other studies (how is it similar or different, what other studies have been done, etc.) as well as to demonstrate how it relates to your own work. This is what the review is for: don’t leave this connection out!Criteria of good literature reviewA review of the literature should:•Set up a theoretical framework for your research•Show your reader that you have a clear understanding of the key concepts/ideas/studies/ models related to your topic•know about the history of your research area and any related controversies•can discuss these ideas in a context appropriate for your own investigation•can evaluate the work of others•Clarify important definitions/terminology•Develop the research space you will also indicate in the Introduction and Abstract•Narrow the problem; make the study feasibleQuestions you need to ask yourself when you are planning and drafting your Literature Review: •What has been done in your field of research? What principles of selection are you going to use?•How are you going to order your discussion? Chronological, thematic, conceptual, methodological, or a combination? What section headings will you use?•How do the various studies relate to each other? What precise contribution do they make to the field? What are their limitations or are there any gaps? Are there new ways of looking at the topic?•What future directions should research in this subject take?•How does your own research fit into what has already been done? What contribution will your research make to the field?Sample Analysis。

WRITING A LITERATURE REVIEW: ADVICE FOR RESEARCHSTUDENTSIn a research thesis, the purpose of a literature review chapter is to provide the context of your study. It should make clear that you have acquired an expertise in the subject, that you are aware of all the appropriate literature, and that you can use past research and other evidence to put together a logical and structured argument. It is usually quite useful if it concludes with the need for your study and some specific research objectives. The purpose of this article is to provide some advice and guidance about the mechanics of carrying out the literature review.When you are reviewing research papers, allocate keywords to each paper. You should use your own ke ywords not the author’s. This is because your purpose is to review the literature that forms the context of your study. The author’s purpose was to provide indexing terms. Therefore, it is likely thatyou will want to develop and allocate your own keywords that will help you to develop your own understanding of the field. As you go through each successive research paper, you will need to introduce new keywords, especially at the outset of the study. This is a good thing to do, but youmust re-check previous keyword allocations to see if the new keyword applies to papers that you have already looked at, or renders an older one redundant.As well as allocating keywords to topics, try to also use keywords for describing the methods and data sources used in the research that you are reviewing. For example, does the paper that you are reviewing report the results of a survey, a case study, a controlled experiment? Where was the data collection undertaken and when?Using the word processor, make an alphabetical list of keywords and under each one, list the author and year of the paper to which they have been2allocated. Then, in a separate document where you record the details of the paper, add the keywords, and store this list alphabetically by author’s surname. This gives you a double-entry record system which will come in extremely useful when it is time to write up the literature review. Of course, you might choose to use bibliographical software for keeping track of your literature search, and this can be extremely useful, but research is plausible without it. How ever you do it, keywords should be used with care.As you acquire the copies of papers that you find, take notes on everything that you read. Always begin with the full bibliographical record, and addyour notes as you go. Reproduce the author’s abstract as well as your ownnotes, but ensure that you keep them separate. Include quotable quotes as you go. You might not use them again, but if you do, it can save an enormous amount of time later on if you know exactly where they came from (including page numbers). Make your own critical notes of the paper as well as your own summary of what it is about. Again, this will differ from the author’s summary or abstract, as your purposes are different. Use the questions from Hughes (2001) as a guide.Once you have reviewed most of the papers that you have found, look for connections between the themes. The keywords that you have chosen will provide you with the main headings for your write-up. Those that crop up most frequently will probably form the main sections of the write-up. Draw “mind-maps” to show the links, looking for strong links between key ideas.It is a good idea to use words, boxes and arrows to sort out your own view of these relationships, but do not reproduce these in the thesis. Such diagrams convey little to anyone else. So, structure the chapter according to your diagram, then dispose of the diagram.One very important matter that is frequently done badly in the majority of published papers is name-dropping instead of useful citation. You will often see authors place a citation after a particular idea, so that they can denote where the idea came from. We all do it. But we tend to be sloppy about it. If we merely provide the citation, the reader has no idea what led the cited author to make the claim that we are attributing to him or her, nor any idea about the context in which the cited author stated it. Most pieces of writing contain observations made in passing, as well as major research findings. So a few words or a sentence about what the cited author did that led to this marvellous fact being quoted makes the argument a lot more persuasive. For 3example, “Lorrimer (1934) stated that scaffolding tends to be merely thrown up unless scaffold erectors are closely supervised” is nowhere near as persuasive as “Lorrimer (1934), in a review of site diaries and accidents on 162 building sites monitored in 1931-2, recorded poor supervision as a major factor in 27 out of 35 fatalities”. The former approach requires the reader to go and find your source material, or to be left with the sense that this is not particularly convincing. The worst thing to do is to merely scatter citations through the text at the end of sentences. These tell your reader nothing about your understanding of past research or the relative strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to the problem.In choosing what to review, use authoritative sources. Your work is only as good as these sources, so base it on good papers from refereed journals, not magazine articles. Peer reviewed material is better simply because the strength of the science is more likely to have been checked by someone who knows about the field. This includes sources that have been vetted by editors, referees, or funders. If you feel that there has been nothing written on your topic, then you are probably defining it too narrowly. Remember, itwould be a strange piece of research if you were investigating a totally new field previously unknown to science. One way out of such a block is to thinkof topics that provide useful metaphors. Are there other industrial sectors in which this particular issue has been a problem? What is the general class of problem of which yours is a specific example? How would your question look if you applied a similar approach to a different academic discipline? By making these connections, you are more likely to come up with something that is more generalizable, a common aim in research.One of the most useful books on constructing a scientific argument is by Latour (1987).Latour explains, using copious examples, how to structure an argument. Of particular interest is the way that you can marshall an army of people behind you to help defend your position. One of the purposes of the traditional approach to scientific writing is to enable you to defend what you have done. If someone wishes to attack your data, you want to be able to stand aside and point at examples of others who have successfully published in respected journals using the same approach to data collection. For an attack on these grounds to be successful, your detractor needs to show that all those you have emulated were wrong. But you are not being attacked: they are. Perhaps they were wrong, but for that to be true, the referees who reviewed the papers before they were published must also be wrong, and so 4must the editors. The, too, is possible, but if the work was funded, then the reviewers of the research proposal and the funding committee who took the decision to fund it must also have made a mistake. This line of attackquickly becomes untenable if you have marshalled good resources. With an army like that behind you every step of the way, you are much more likely to be able to rebuff an attack, if you have been careful in following their examples. The same holds true for all the methods that you use.Another useful tactic is for you to decide who the leader of the field is. Who has written most extensively on this topic? Make a short-list of the two or three people upon whose work you are going to depend the most. This list may change as you proceed with the research, but at any one point, you should be able to state the three most important papers in your research. Similarly, you should aim to have a clear idea about which is the most important journal for your work. And which is the most appropriate journalfor your work to be published in when you have your findings? The answers to these questions will help you to be clear about the kind of approach that you are taking in your research.In writing up the literature review, think about questions that arise from your readings. Structure your writing to reveal gaps in knowledge or weaknesses of previous work. Conclude the literature review with the need for your study, and then review methodological problems. There may be two or even three contextualizing chapters in your work, especially if you involved with inter-disciplinary research. One of these chapters, or a main section of theliterature chapter, should cover literature on research methods. Show how different methods are appropriate to different types of question and how various authors have used different methods on questions similar to yours (although not necessarily questions based in the construction sector). Select your research method to suit the question – a good book on research methods will help with this. And don’t worry if you have already gone ahead with a research question and done your field work – simply select a question that suits your methods! The thesis is not intended to be a journal of everything that you did, and is not intended to trace every twist and turn of your thinking during the study. By all means, keep such a journal if you wish. But do not structure the thesis along those lines. The thesis should be a self-contained, internally consistent and persuasive document.5If you pay attention to structuring your contextualizing chapters, then the structure of the conclusions, limitations and recommendations will be that much easier. And remember, if you have read and understood the work of the few people at the forefront of research in a particular topic, then, in terms of your understanding of the issues, you are at the forefront too!。

THE WRITING CENTERAcademic Services • Phone: 962-7710/depts/wcweb/How to Write a Literature ReviewWhat This Handout is About…This handout will explain what a Literature Review is and offer insights into the form and construction of a Literature Review in the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Sciences. IntroductionOK. You’ve got to write a literature review. You dust off your world literature anthology book, settle down in your Ebert and Roper at the Movies theatre chair with your popcorn and soda in hand, and get ready to issue a “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” as you leaf through the pages. “Literature Review” done. Right?Wrong! The “literature” of a literature review refers to any collection of materials on a topic, not necessarily the Great Literary Texts of the World. “Literature” could be anything from a set of government pamphlets on British colonial methods in Africa to scholarly articles on the treatment of a torn ACL. And a review does not necessarily mean that your reader wants you to give your personal opinion on whether or not you liked these sources.What is a literature review, then?A literature review discusses published information in a particular subject area, and sometimes information in a particular subject area within a certain time period.A literature review can be just a simple summary of the sources, but it usually has an organizational pattern and combines both summary and synthesis. A summary is a recap of the important information of the source, but a synthesis is a re-organization, or a reshuffling, of that information. It might give a new interpretation of old material or combine new with old interpretations. Or it might trace the intellectual progression of the field, including major debates. And depending on the situation, the literature review may evaluate the sources and advise the reader on the most pertinent or relevant.But how is a literature review different from an academic research paper?While the main focus of an academic research paper is to support your own argument, the focus of a literature review is to summarize and synthesize the arguments and ideas of others. The academic research paper also covers a range of sources, but it is usually a select number of sources, because the emphasis is on the argument. Likewise, a literature review can also have an “argument,” but it is not as important as covering a number of sources. In short, an academic research paper and a literature review contain some of the same elements. In fact, many academic research papers will contain a literature review section. But it is the aspect of the study (the argument or the sources) that is emphasized that determines what type of document it is.Why do we write literature reviews?Literature reviews provide you with a handy guide to a particular topic. If you have limited time to conduct research, literature reviews can give you an overview or act as a stepping stone. For professionals, they are useful reports that keep them up to date with what is current in the field. For scholars, the depth and breadth of the literature review emphasizes the credibility of the writer in his or her field. Literature reviews also provide a solid background for a research paper’s investigation. Comprehensive knowledge of the literature of the field is essential to most research papers.Who writes these things, anyway?Literature reviews are written occasionally in the humanities, but mostly in the sciences and social sciences; in experiment and lab reports, they constitute a section of the paper. Sometimes a literature review is written as a paper in itself.Let’s get to it! What should I do before writing the literature review?1. ClarifyIf your assignment is not very specific, seek clarification from your instructor:• Roughly how many sources should you include?• What types of sources (books, journal articles, websites)?• Should you summarize, synthesize, or critique your sources by discussinga common theme or issue?• Should you evaluate your sources?• Should you provide subheadings and other background information, such as definitions and/or a history?2. Find modelsLook for other literature reviews in your area of interest or in the discipline and read them to get a sense of the types of themes you might want to look for in your own research or ways to organize your final review. You can simply put the word “review” in your search engine along with your other topic terms to find articles of this type on the Internetor in an electronic database. The bibliography or reference section of sources you’ve already read are also excellent entry points into your own research.3. Narrow your topicThere are hundreds or even thousands of articles and books on most areas of study. The narrower your topic, the easier it will be to limit the number of sources you need to read in order to get a good survey of the material. Your instructor will probably not expect you to read everything that’s out there on the topic, but you’ll make your job easier if you first limit your scope.And don’t forget to tap into your professor’s (or other professors’) knowledge in the field. Ask your professor questions such as: “If you had to read only one book from the 70’s on topic X, what would it be?” Questions such as this help you to find and determine quickly the most seminal pieces in the field.4. Consider whether your sources are currentSome disciplines require that you use information that is as current as possible. In the sciences, for instance, treatments for medical problems are constantly changing according to the latest studies. Information even two years old could be obsolete. However, if you are writing a review in the humanities, history, or social sciences, a survey of the history of the literature may be what is needed, because what is important is how perspectives have changed through the years or within a certain time period. Try sorting through some other current bibliographies or literature reviews in the field to get a sense of what your discipline expects. You can also use this method to consider what is “hot” and what is not.Strategies for Writing the Literature Review:1. Find a focusA literature review, like a term paper, is usually organized around ideas, not the sources themselves as an annotated bibliography would be organized. This means that you will not just simply list your sources and go into detail about each one of them, one at a time. No. As you read widely but selectively in your topic area, consider instead what themes or issues connect your sources together. Do they present one or different solutions? Is there an aspect of the field that is missing? How well do they present the material and do they portray it according to an appropriate theory? Do they reveal a trend in the field? A raging debate? Pick one of these themes to focus the organization of your review.2. Construct a working thesis statementThen use the focus you’ve found to construct a thesis statement. Yes! Literature reviews have thesis statements as well! However, your thesis statement will not necessarily arguefor a position or an opinion; rather it will argue for a particular perspective on the material. Some sample thesis statements for literature reviews are as follows:The current trend in treatment for congestive heart failure combines surgery and medicine.More and more cultural studies scholars are accepting popular media as asubject worthy of academic consideration.For more information on how to construct thesis statements, see our handout/depts/wcweb/handouts/thesis.html "Constructing Thesis Statements."3. Consider organizationYou’ve got a focus, and you’ve narrowed it down to a thesis statement. Now what is the most effective way of presenting the information? What are the most important topics, subtopics, etc., that your review needs to include? And in what order should you present them? Develop an organization for your review at both a global and local level:• • First, cover the basic categoriesJust like most academic papers, literature reviews also must contain at least three basic elements: an introduction or background information section; the body of the review containing the discussion of sources; and, finally, a conclusion and/or recommendations section to end the paper.Introduction: Gives a quick idea of the topic of the literature review, such as the central theme or organizational pattern.Body: Contains your discussion of sources and is organized eitherchronologically, thematically, or methodologically (see below for moreinformation on each).Conclusions/Recommendations: Discuss what you have drawn fromreviewing literature so far. Where might the discussion proceed?Once you have these in place, then you must consider how you will present the sources themselves within the body of your paper. Create an organizational method to focus this section even further.To help you come up with an overall organizational framework for your review, consider the following scenario and then three typical ways of organizing the sources into a review:You’ve decided to focus your literature review on materials dealing with sperm whales. This is because you’ve just finished reading Moby Dick, and you wonderif that whale’s portrayal is really real. You start with some articles about the physiology of sperm whales in biology journals written in the 1980’s. But these articles refer to some British biological studies performed on whales in the early 18th century. So you check those out. Then you look up a book written in 1968 with information on how sperm whales have been portrayed in other forms of art, such as in Alaskan poetry, in French painting, or on whale bone, as the whale hunters in the late 19th century used to do. This makes you wonder about American whaling methods during the time portrayed in Moby Dick, so you find some academic articles published in the last five years on how accurately Herman Melville portrayed the whaling scene in his novel.Chronological:If your review follows the chronological method, you could write about the materials above according to when they were published. For instance, first you would talk about the British biological studies of the 18th century, then about Moby Dick, published in 1851, then the book on sperm whales in other art (1968), and finally the biology articles (1980s) and the recent articles on American whaling of the 19th century. But there is relatively no continuity among subjects here. And notice that even though the sources on sperm whales in other art and on American whaling are written recently, they are about other subjects/objects that were created much earlier. Thus, the review loses its chronological focus.By PublicationOrder your sources by publication chronology, then, only if the orderdemonstrates a more important trend. For instance, you could order areview of literature on biological studies of sperm whales if theprogression revealed a change in dissection practices of the researcherswho wrote and/or conducted the studies.By TrendA better way to organize the above sources chronologically is to examinethe sources under another trend, such as the history of whaling. Then yourreview would have subsections according to eras within this period. Forinstance, the review might examine whaling from pre-1600-1699, 1700-1799, and 1800-1899. Under this method, you would combine the recentstudies on American whaling in the 19th century with Moby Dick itself inthe 1800-1899 category, even though the authors wrote a century apart. Thematic:Thematic reviews of literature are organized around a topic or issue, rather than the progression of time. However, progression of time may still be an important factor in a thematic review. For instance, the sperm whale review could focus on the development of the harpoon for whale hunting. While the study focuses on one topic, harpoon technology, it will still be organized chronologically. Theonly difference here between a “chronological” and a “thematic” approach is what is emphasized the most: the development of the harpoon or the harpoontechnology.But more authentic thematic reviews tend to break away from chronologicalorder. For instance, a thematic review of material on sperm whales mightexamine how they are portrayed as “evil” in cultural documents. The subsections might include how they are personified, how their proportions are exaggerated,and their behaviors misunderstood. A review organized in this manner wouldshift between time periods within each section according to the point made.Methodological:A methodological approach differs from the two above in that the focusing factorusually does not have to do with the content of the material. Instead, it focuses on the “methods” of the researcher or writer. For the sperm whale project, onemethodological approach would be to look at cultural differences between theportrayal of whales in American, British, and French art work. Or the reviewmight focus on the economic impact of whaling on a community. Amethodological scope will influence either the types of documents in the reviewor the way in which these documents are discussed.Once you’ve decided on the organizational method for the body of the review, the sections you need to include in the paper should be easy to figure out. They should arise out of your organizational strategy. In other words, a chronological review would have subsections for each vital time period. A thematic review would have subtopics based upon factors that relate to the theme or issue.Sometimes, though, you might need to add additional sections that are necessary for your study, but do not fit in the organizational strategy of the body. What other sections you include in the body is up to you. Put in only what is necessary. Here are a few other sections you might want to consider:Current Situation: Information necessary to understand the topic or focus of theliterature review.History: The chronological progression of the field, the literature, or an idea thatis necessary to understand the literature review, if the body of the literature review is not already a chronology.Methods and/or Standards: The criteria you used to select the sources in yourliterature review or the way in which you present your information. For instance, you might explain that your review includes only peer-reviewed articles andjournals.Questions for Further Research: What questions about the field has the reviewsparked? How will you further your research as a result of the review?4. Begin compositionOnce you’ve settled on a general pattern of organization, you’re ready to write each section. There are a few guidelines you should follow during the writing stage as well. Here is a sample paragraph from a literature review about sexism and language to illuminate the following discussion:However, other studies have shown that even gender-neutral antecedents are more likely to produce masculine images than feminine ones (Gastil, 1990). Hamilton (1988) asked students to complete sentences that required them to fill in pronouns that agreed with gender-neutral antecedents such as "writer," "pedestrian," and "persons." The students were asked to describe any image they had when writing the sentence. Hamilton found that people imagined 3.3 men to each woman in the masculine "generic" condition and 1.5 men per woman in the unbiased condition. Thus, while ambient sexism accounted for some of the masculine bias, sexist language amplified the effect. (Source: Erika Falk and Jordan Mills, “Why Sexist Language Affects Persuasion: The Role of Homophily, Intended Audience, and Offense,” Women and Language19:2.• • • • Use evidenceIn the example above, the writers refer to several other sources when making their point. A literature review in this sense is just like any other academic research paper. Your interpretation of the available sources must be backed up with evidence to show that what you are saying is valid.Be selectiveSelect only the most important points in each source to highlight in the review. The type of information you choose to mention should relate directly to the review’s focus, whether it is thematic, methodological, or chronological.Use quotes sparinglyFalk and Mills do not use any direct quotes. That is because the survey nature of the literature review does not allow for in-depth discussion or detailed quotes from the text. Some short quotes here and there are okay, though, if you want to emphasize a point, or if what the author said just cannot be rewritten in your own words. Notice that Falk and Mills do quote certain terms that were coined by the author, not common knowledge, or taken directly from the study. But if you find yourself wanting to put in more quotes, check with your instructor. Summarize and synthesizeRemember to summarize and synthesize your sources within each paragraph as well as throughout the review. The authors here recapitulate important features of Hamilton’s study, but then synthesize it by rephrasing the study’s significance and relating it to their own work.• • Keep your own voiceWhile the literature review presents others’ ideas, your voice (the writer’s) should remain front and center. Notice that Falk and Mills weave references to other sources into their own text, but they still maintain their own voice by starting and ending the paragraph with their own ideas and their own words. The sources support what Falk and Mills are saying.Use caution when paraphrasingWhen paraphrasing a source that is not your own, be sure to represent the author’s information or opinions accurately and in your own words. In the preceding example, Falk and Mills either directly refer in the text to the author of their source, such as Hamilton, or they provide ample notation in the text when the ideas they are mentioning are not their own, for example, Gastil’s. For more information, please see our handout on plagiarism:/depts/wcweb/handouts/plagiarism.html.5. Revise, revise, reviseDraft in hand? Now you’re ready to revise. Spending a lot of time revising is a wise idea, because your main objective is to present the material, not the argument. So check over your review again to make sure it follows the assignment and/or your outline. Then, just as you would for most other academic forms of writing, rewrite or rework the language of your review so that you’ve presented your information in the most concise manner possible. Be sure to use terminology familiar to your audience; get rid of unnecessary jargon or slang. Finally, double check that you’ve documented your sources and formatted the review appropriately for your discipline. For tips on the revising and editing process, see our handout Straight Talk about Revision:/depts/wcweb/handouts/revision.html.Sources:Anson, Chris M. and Robert A. Schwegler, The Longman Handbook for Writers and Readers. Second edition. New York: Longman, 2000.Jones, Robert, Patrick Bizzaro, and Cynthia Selfe. The Harcourt Brace Guide to Writing in the Disciplines. New York: Harcourt Brace, 1997.Lamb, Sandra E. How to Write It: A Complete Guide to Everything You’ll Ever Write. Berkeley, Calif.: Ten Speed Press, 1998.Rosen, Leonard J. and Laurence Behrens. The Allyn and Bacon Handbook. Fourth edition. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 2000.Troyka, Lynn Quitman. Simon and Schuster Handbook for Writers. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall, 2002.。