Literature Review

In this assignment, you will analyze and synthesize six to eight highly credible sources (including some or all of the sources in your Annotated Bibliography) that address a current problem or challenge in your field. The purpose of the literature review is to highlight areas of consensus and debate, identify gaps in the existing research, and ultimately to recommend viable future avenues of research and advocacy.

The literature review is the final project of English 302 and the culmination of your previous work in the course. While you will use your Discipline Project and Annotated Bibliography as part of the research and writing process for this final essay, you should be aware of how the Literature Review differs from either of these assignments.

–The Annotated Bibliography provides a brief summary of all the sources you consulted.

–The Discipline Project provides a detailed critical evaluation of one article that has made a significant contribution to the scholarly conversation on your topic and “translates” it for a public audience.

–The Literature Review, while it includes both summary and some detailed evaluation of individual works (including the article you used for your Discipline Project), analyzes the relationship among different works, the progress that has been made by researchers in your field, and the challenges that remain. This prepares you to write a proposal for future research or a letter of advocacy to an audience with decision-making authority.

Parts of the Essay:

–Introduction: Provides context for the review and establishes the purpose of research on the topic, including a clear research question or questions. Gives a sense of the organizational pattern of the review (chronological, methodological, or thematic).

–Body: Contains your synthesis of 6-8 sources and is organized either chronologically, thematically, or methodologically.

–Conclusion/Recommendations: Discusses what you have drawn from reviewing the literature, identifies gaps in the literature, and suggests directions in which the discussion might proceed, including ideas for future research or advocacy.

— References (APA) or Works Cited (MLA) page. Separate page with 6-8 entries in correct APA style or MLA style. (No annotations.)

Length: 7-10 pages plus References or Works Cited page.