What is the best way to write a literature review that showcases your expertise?

1 Define your scope and purpose

Before you start writing, you need to define the scope and purpose of your literature review. What is the main question or problem that your proposal aims to address? What are the key concepts and terms that you will use? How will you organize and synthesize the literature? How will you relate it to your own research objectives and methods? These questions will help you narrow down your search and selection of sources, as well as guide your analysis and evaluation of the existing literature.

2 Find and evaluate relevant sources

To write a literature review that showcases your expertise, you need to find and evaluate relevant sources that support your argument and fill the gaps in your field. You can use various databases, journals, books, reports, and websites to search for sources, but make sure to use credible and up-to-date sources that match your scope and purpose. You also need to critically assess the quality, validity, and relevance of each source, and identify the strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in the literature.

3 Organize and structure your literature review

Once you have found and evaluated your sources, you need to organize and structure your literature review in a logical and coherent way. There are different ways to organize and structure your literature review, depending on your purpose and audience. For example, you can use a chronological, thematic, methodological, or theoretical approach, or a combination of these. You also need to decide how to group and compare your sources, and how to transition between them. You should use headings, subheadings, and paragraphs to create a clear outline and flow for your literature review.

4 Synthesize and analyze the literature

The next step is to synthesize and analyze the literature in relation to your research question and objectives. This means that you need to summarize, compare, contrast, and evaluate the main findings, arguments, and implications of the sources, and identify the similarities, differences, and gaps in the literature. You also need to explain how the literature informs, supports, or challenges your own research, and how it contributes to the advancement of knowledge in your field. You should use evidence, examples, and quotations from the sources to support your analysis and synthesis.

5 Write clearly and concisely

The final step is to write clearly and concisely, using a formal and academic tone and style. You need to use appropriate language, grammar, punctuation, and spelling, and avoid jargon, slang, and personal opinions. You also need to use consistent and accurate citations and references, following the guidelines and format of your chosen citation style. You should also proofread and edit your literature review, checking for clarity, coherence, consistency, and correctness.

6 Follow the instructions and requirements

One of the most important tips to write a literature review that showcases your expertise is to follow the instructions and requirements of the grant proposal. You need to adhere to the word limit, format, and structure specified by the grant agency or organization, and tailor your literature review to the expectations and criteria of the reviewers. You also need to demonstrate how your literature review aligns with the goals and objectives of the grant program, and how it makes a compelling case for your research proposal.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?