Literature Review
Prepared by University of Waterloo
Section F: Resources
On this page, you will find a comprehensive list of resources provided within this guide. These resources include examples, printable handouts, and additional links.
Summary of Resources
Within this section, we have provided you with
- our literature review template,
- the typical structure of a literature review,
- all of the handouts and worksheets found within this guide, and
- two annotated examples of literature reviews.
Literature Review Sample Guiding Questions
This outline sample of a Literature Review should serve as a useful guide to help you get started.
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Download the Literature Review Sample Guiding Questions.
Structure of a Literature Review
The components of a literature review will vary depending on your institution and your instructor’s preferences, as well as the style of literature review you are writing. Be sure to refer to your assignment instructions to find out what will be required.
Most literature reviews- regardless of whether they are stand-alone literature review or embedded literature reviews, will include the following major sections and components:
- Cover page includes basic student and class information
- Introduction demonstrates the importance of a topic and outlines the direction of the review, including the thesis, research question, scope, and purpose
- Body synthesizes and analyzes sources in a clear, logical manner
- Conclusion addresses the gaps in knowledge, indicates what your analysis tells you about the thesis or research question, and provides directions for future research
- References list all the sources you cited in your paper, but students using the Chicago Manual of Style will also need to include the works they consulted even if they did not cite them
Section B: Planning and Researching
Building Analytical Skills
Use this helpful handout for your Literature Review.
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Download the Building Analytical Skills worksheet.
Preview: PDF Worksheet
Process Organization Chart
Use this helpful handout to organize your Literature Review.
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Download the Process Organization Chart worksheet.
Preview: PDF Worksheet
Section B: Planning and Researching
Blank Project Schedule
Use this blank worksheet to plan your Literature Review.
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Download the Blank Project Schedule worksheet.
Preview: PDF Worksheet
Sample: Completed Project Schedule Worksheet
Use this completed worksheet as an exampe for your Literature Review Project Schedule.
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Download the Completed Project Schedule worksheet.
Preview: PDF Worksheet
Research Question Checklist
Use this helpful worksheet for your Literature Review.
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Download the Research Questions checklist.
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Blank Review Matrix
Use this helpful worksheet for your Literature Review Review Matrix.
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Download the Blank Review Matrix.
Download Spreadsheet
Download the Blank Review Matrix Spreadsheet.
Preview: PDF Worksheet
Health Sciences Review Matrix
Use this completed worksheet for your Literature Review Review Matrix.
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Download the Health Sciences Review Matrix.
Download Spreadsheet
Download the Health Sciences Review Matrix Spreadsheet.
Preview: PDF Worksheet
Arts Review Matrix
Use this completed worksheet for your Literature Review Review Matrix.
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Download the Arts Review Matrix.
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Download the Arts Review Matrix Spreadsheet.
Preview: PDF Worksheet
Stand-alone Literature Review
Health Sciences Annotated Literature Review
This annotated Literature Review is an example of a Stand-alone Literature Review.
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Download the Health Sciences Annotated Literature Review.
Embedded Literature Review
History Annotated Literature Review
This annotated Literature Review is an example of an Embedded Literature Review.
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Download the History Annotated Literature Review.
Next Section Overview
Now that you have reviewed this guide, you can try our interactive Guided Writing Tools, to draft an outline of your Literature Review.