Top 10 dissertation writing tips: how to write a literature review

Writing your masters dissertation can be daunting, especially compiling a literature review if you have never had to complete one before. We provide a simple, clear guide to literature reviews, including what they are, what they should include and how to go about writing them, for hassle-free dissertation success.

It is not just a list of different writers in the field and their opinions, but rather it should give a clear idea of the whole field as it currently stands, describing different bodies of literature providing varying standpoints on the important issues and indicating where general opinions have recently changed or are currently being challenged.

Review essay: the literature review

The literature review can be a key part of your dissertation structure. It is unlikely that you will have the time to read every word available on your topic, however in the literature review you should aim to demonstrate wide reading. The literature review will focus on authoritative works. You will not be discussing a popular, mass market text on the subject (unless that book has been written by an expert or led to an academic response). Evaluate each relevant book or article you discover to assess whether it is written for an academic audience or written by an academic.

Top 10 Tips for your Dissertation Literature Review

Do not begin analysing the literature before clarifying in your own mind the research questions that will guide your dissertation. By formulating problems beforehand, you will avoid wasting hours in aimless reading. Know the issues of concern to you and consider the material through this lens alone.