Literature Review Outline Sample
I.! Introduction
a.! Describe the topic that you have been investigating, why it is important to the field
b.! Give a “big picture” of the literature.
c.! Present a thesis or argument statement – why is it important to explore this topic?
II.! Theme A
1
a.! Overview of characteristics of the theme (commonalities, differences, nuances)
b.! Sub-theme – narrow but grouped findings related to the theme
i.! Study 1 (Research question(s), Methods/Participants, Related Findings)
“In a qualitative study examining Latino high school students, Campos (2016)
found that the participants had unique academic experiences due to their
location in a suburban neighborhood. Using in-depth interviews, Campos
determined that….”
ii.! Study 2 (Research question(s), Methods/Participants, Related Findings)
In a similar study with African American high school students, Sung (2015)
identified three key factors that impacted students’ academic experiences in rural
settings, which are….. Sung surveyed students across three different high
schools, which may partially explain differences in responses….
iii.! Study 3 (Research question(s), Methods/Participants, Related Findings)
iv.! Do these studies share commonalities? How do these studies differ? Discuss
c.! Sub-theme – narrow but grouped findings related to the theme
i.! Study 4 (Research question(s), Methods/Participants, Related Findings)
ii.! Study 5 (Research question(s), Methods/Participants, Related Findings)
iii.! Study 6 (Research question(s), Methods/Participants, Related Findings)
iv.! Do these studies share commonalities? How do these studies differ? Discuss
d.! Etc., etc., etc. with other findings that fit Theme A; studies can be repeated if there are
multiple findings that fit under more than one theme. However, no need to re-write
methods/participants in detail (just enough to remind the reader about the study).
III.! Theme B – follow a, b, c, and so on from above
IV.!Keep repeating with themes
V.! Conclusion: An evaluation/critique of the existing literature.
a.! What are the contributions of this literature to the field?
b.! Return to your thesis statement
c.! What are the overall strengths?
d.! What are the overall weaknesses?
e.! What might be missing?
f.! What are some next steps for research? The next steps should explicitly address how to
“correct” for strengths, weaknesses, and gaps.
as subconscious. (Level 4)
Center for Writing and Rhetoric – Writing Workshop Outline Sample
Comment [RM1]: Examples of how to write about studies
without listing.