How to Write a Literature Review

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

This article will help you understand the essentials of writing a literature review. Whether it is for a school report, a newspaper, or just a review for a friend, literature reviews can make you seem smart and help others find the gift of reading. Knowing how to properly write one is a very important skill to have.

Steps

1. Read the Book. This may seem obvious, but reading the book is key to a good review.
   
2. Understand the Book. If you don't understand the book, you can not write a good review.
   
3. As you read, make note of different things about the book (is it in 1st person or 3rd person, does it use a good selection of intelligent and eloquent words, does it accuratly paint a picture in your mind, etc.).
   
4. When you have sufficient notes you are ready to write the actual article.
   
5. Begin with an introduction. Briefly state the author, title, publisher, and any other information about the book you see pertinent.
   
6. In the first section, give a brief history of the author (previous works, awards, etc.)
   
7. In the second section, outline the plot of the book (see Warnings).
   
8. Next, use your notes to write a paragraph explaining your opinion of the way the book was written, as before mentioned.
   
9. Use the final paragraph as a summary of the whole review. Give your opinion of the book (I enjoyed this book, I hated this book, etc.) and finish by recommending the book. State who would enjoy this book, using general terms (children, action lovers, etc.). At the end, include your full name and, optionally, your e-mail address.
   

Tips

• If the book was made into a movie, watch the movie, but reread the book after to refresh your memory, because movies often leave out parts and twist parts to make a good movie. If you do not want to reread the book, or even view an online summary, do not watch the movie.
  

Warnings

• When you are outlining the plot, DO NOT reveal any major happenings. Reading about character deaths, marriages, or other spoilers can do just that, spoil the book. If someone reads all of these revelations in an article, they may not want to read the book, or not enjoy the suspense if they do read the book.
  

Things You'll Need

• a book to review
  
• something to take notes on
  
• the ability to write well
  
• something to write or type the final review onto
  
• (optional) the internet to read the online summaries
  
• (optional) the movie adaptation of the book
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Review an Album
  
• How to Write a Review for GameFAQs
  
• How to Write a Movie Review
  
• How to Write a Car Review
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Write a Literature Review. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.