A strong literature review does more than summarize sources. It groups research into meaningful conversations, compares methods and findings, identifies tensions, and shows where your project fits. These resources cover searching, note organization, synthesis matrices, thematic structure and drafting.
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Featured guides
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Breaking the assignment into concrete steps You have ten days, a 1,500‑word review, and a rubric that spells out the exact annotated‑bibliography form
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Answered questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a literature review and an annotated bibliography?
An annotated bibliography summarizes each source separately, one entry at a time. A literature review instead groups sources by theme or argument and discusses them together, showing how research on the topic developed and where the gaps are. If you have an annotated bibliography, use it as raw material for the review, not as a substitute.
How many sources should a literature review cite?
There is no universal number: a course paper usually needs 10–20, a master's thesis 40–80, and a dissertation 100–200 or more. The real requirement is coverage — you should cite the key works in your field's conversation on the topic, which your supervisor can point you to faster than any database search.
How do I structure a literature review?
Start with the dominant approaches and schools of thought on the topic, then narrow to the specific debates relevant to your research question, and end with the gap your project fills. Thematic organization almost always works better than a chronological list of who wrote what.