How to structure a literature review
A literature review is not a list of summaries. It is an argument about what is already known, how good that evidence is, and what is still missing. Here is a structure that works for most UK undergraduate and Master's dissertations.
⚡ Key takeaways
- A literature review is an argument, not a list of summaries.
- Organise by theme, time or method, whichever best fits your question.
- Write across sources (synthesis), not one source per paragraph.
- Finish by showing the gap your research question fills.
The shape of a strong literature review
- IntroductionScope and search
- Theme 1Agree, disagree, evaluate
- Theme 2Link back to theme 1
- Theme 3If needed
- The gapWhat's missing
- ConclusionLeads to your question
1. Start with the purpose of your review
Before you plan any sections, write one sentence that explains what your review needs to show. For most dissertations it is: what is already known about my topic, and what gap does my research question address? Every paragraph should help answer that.
2. Choose an organising structure
Most literature reviews are organised in one of three ways. Pick the one that best fits your question.
- Thematic (the most common): group sources by the key themes, debates or concepts in your field.
- Chronological: show how thinking on the topic has developed over time. Useful when the history of the debate matters.
- Methodological: compare what different research methods have found. Useful when studies disagree because of how they were done.
3. A simple outline you can adapt
- Introduction: define the scope (topic, time period, types of source) and, if your module expects it, briefly explain how you searched for literature.
- Theme 1: what the research says, where studies agree or disagree, and how strong the evidence is.
- Theme 2: as above, linking back to theme 1 where relevant.
- Theme 3 (if needed).
- The gap: what has not been studied, has been studied weakly, or has not been studied in your context.
- Conclusion: summarise the key points and show how they lead to your research question or aims.
4. Synthesise, don't summarise
The most common feedback on literature reviews is "too descriptive". The fix is to write about the relationship between sources, not one source per paragraph.
Synthesised: "While Author A found X in large firms, Author B's smaller sample suggests the effect may depend on organisation size."
A quick way to do this is a synthesis matrix: a table with your sources as rows and your themes as columns. Fill it in as you read, then write each section across a column instead of down a row.
5. Evaluate the evidence
Show the marker you are thinking critically. For key studies, ask:
- How large and relevant was the sample?
- Was the method appropriate for the question?
- Is the study recent enough, or has the field moved on?
- Do other studies support or contradict it?
6. Make the gap obvious
End your review by stating clearly what the literature has not yet answered, and why that matters. Your research question should feel like the natural next step.
Quick checklist before you submit
- Each section has a clear theme and a topic sentence that says what it argues.
- Most paragraphs discuss two or more sources together.
- You comment on the quality of the evidence, not just what it found.
- The gap and your research question are clearly connected.
- Every in-text citation matches your reference list.
Your synthesis matrix
Click any cell to type. Add your sources as rows and your themes as columns, then write each section across a column. It saves in this browser.
Quick quiz
Q1. “Smith (2019) found that remote work raised productivity. Jones (2021) found it lowered productivity.” Is this descriptive or synthesised?
It lists two findings side by side without explaining how they relate. A synthesised version would explain why they might differ, for example sample size or sector.
Q2. “Although Smith (2019) reports productivity gains, Jones’s (2021) larger study suggests these may fade after the first year.” Descriptive or synthesised?
It connects the two studies and evaluates them. That's synthesis.
Q3. Where should your research gap usually appear?
Build up what's known first, then show clearly what's missing so your research question feels like the natural next step.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a literature review be?
It depends on your module, but a common guide for dissertations is around 20–30% of the total word count. Check your handbook or ask your supervisor.
How many sources should I include?
There is no fixed number. Focus on the most relevant and credible sources for your question, and follow any guidance in your module handbook.
Can I use books as well as journal articles?
Yes. Books are useful for key theories and background; recent peer-reviewed journal articles show the current state of research.
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