Writing a Literature Review

Literature reviews typically include the following elements:

• Citations for the referenced materials
• A discussion of the materials' research purpose, methods, and findings
• A discussion of how those findings relate to your research
• A discussion of the differences between cited materials 
• A discussion of the gaps created by the material referenced and how your research can close those gaps

Literature Reviews synthesize information available on a topic.

Annotated bibliography components:

• A citation for the information source
• A summary of the source
• A reflection on how you think you will use the source in your project

Annotated bibliographies look at individual sources.

Be sure to review your assignment prompt and/or speak to your professor.

What is a Literature Review?, Joshua Vossler: https://vimeo.com/90324266

This video provides a definition and comprehensive overview of the literature review. Also explains how a literature review differs from an annotated bibliography, in that an annotated bibliography lists and evaluates sources individually, whereas a literature review is a synthesized analysis of sources.