A Literature Review Outline Is Simple! Check These Great Tips

You can’t draw a cat before you learn what a cat is and, what is even more important, what it’s not. A cat is a small house pet, but it’s not a guinea pig; it likes milk, but it’s not a mongoose. Knowing all this makes your drawing of a cat better, even though it can do so in subtle ways.
The same thing is true for writing a literature outline. When dealing with a review of literature, outline writing is your first task. And the first and foremost thing you must know is what a literature review outline is not: it’s not an outline for a research paper, it’s not an annotated bibliography, and it’s not a research proposal.

An outline of literature review is…

… an update on the status of current research related to the issue in question.
This is not yet a paper – you discuss the sources. And here’s what you can discuss:

1. whether the research results known so far have strong/weak points;
2. whether various research findings have practical implications yet, and, if so, what kind of implications they have;
3. the kind of approaches adopted by various researchers in the field;
4. the conclusions that authors come to and the results they offer.

Literature Review Outline Specifics: Create Brilliant Papers!

When planning a literature review, remember that, no matter whether you’re dealing with a Chicago, MLA or APA literature review outline, there are several rules you’ll have to follow anyway:

1. This is not a research proposal;

Do not explain the method, state the subject, etc. Instead, focus on main issues reported in current related research and discuss their features.

2. Use subparagraphs (at least two for each point);

e.g., check this sample literature review outline:
Review of Literature: Outline

1. Issue #1
   1. Its Features
      1. Positive features
         1. Feature number one. (Continue the text on the same line…)
         2. Feature number two. (Continue the text on the same line…)
      2. Negative features
         1. Feature number one. (Continue the text on the same line…)
         2. Feature number two. (Continue the text on the same line…)
   2. Its Significance
      1. Positive effects
         1. Effect number one. (Continue the text on the same line…)
         2. Effect number two. (Continue the text on the same line…)
      2. Negative effects
         1. Effect number one. (Continue the text on the same line…)
         2. Effect number two. (Continue the text on the same line…)
2. Issue #2…

Now that’s what experts call an example of a literature review!

3. Make sure that the points make a logical sequence;
4. Make certain that the outline reflects the key ideas you present;
5. Clearly state what each paragraph is about.

It seems that you’re quite ready for a great sample of a literature review format! Coming up next… an example outline format!

Literature Review Outline Elements: Remember the Basics

Well, it’s time to learn how to outline a literature review! There’s a bazillion ways to do it. For example, literature review outline writing like this will do you a good job:
Example of an Outline Format

1. Introduction: how well researched is the topic nowadays?
2. Crucial research studies on the issue
   1. Study A: the issue, main point, conclusions;
   2. Study B: the issue, main point, conclusions;
   3. Study C: the issue, main point, conclusions;
3. Conclusion: what can be done to research the topic further?

Alternatively, you can split the studies investigated according to the stage of research presented and the results they offer – check this sample of literature review writing:

1. Introduction: how well researched is the topic nowadays?
2. Description of existing research studies on the issue;
1. All-embracing, fully-developed research studies;
2. Research studies with preliminary results;
3. Research studies which make an interesting point, but are not fully developed.
3. Conclusion: what can be done to research the topic further?

In addition to the above, you might also need to consider other aspects – take a look at the following sample review of literature:

1. Introduction: how well researched is the topic nowadays?
2. Seminal research studies on the issue
1. 1^st Aspect of the issue: research studies that deal with it;
2. 2^nd Aspect of the issue: research studies that deal with it;
3. 3^rd Aspect of the issue: research studies that deal with it;
3. Conclusion: what can be done to research the topic further?

And now, it’s time you check an example of an outline for literature review writing!

Literature Review Outline Template: Follow This Example

When creating a literature review plan, it’s best to use a template to guide you. Consider the following scheme:
Literature review outline sample

1. Introduction: Post-Modern Literature
   1. Definition of the phenomenon
   2. The development of Postmodern literature
2. Seminal Research Studies on the Issue
   1. Research studies on Postmodern themes
   2. Research studies on Postmodern techniques
   3. Research studies on Postmodern perspectives
3. Conclusion: Promising Ideas for Research on Post-Modern Literature
   With this literature review outline example, you’ll surely handle the most complicated literature review structure!

Literature Review Outline: The Final Essential Ingredient

There is still one more ingredient you’ll need to know before you start writing your literature review outline.

To outline literature review papers correctly, try drawing first a concept map for your literary review outline!

Create a graphic map with all the concepts and ideas you’ll want to include in the outline for a literature review. When you start to outline literature review writing, make sure that you’ve included everything you have on the map into it.
Well, now you’re ready to write the most fantastic outline for a literature review ever! So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and try writing your own outline of a literature review– your success is just around the corner!

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