Constructing and writing literature reviews The Writing Development

Constructing and writing literature reviews The Writing Development Centre Contact: wdc@ncl. ac. uk @ncl_wdc Writing Development Centre Explore the possibilities

Outline of today’s session Writing as product: the literature review - Key aspects of a literature review - Demonstrating learning - Analysing an example text - The function of a literature review Writing as process: writing a literature review - Critical domains of reading - Strategies for maintaining an overview of the literature

Writing as product What is the final writing product? Who are you writing for? Read the Literature Review extract. - Does it meet your own expectations of what doctoral level writing should do? Why/why not? - Think about the level of skill and knowledge the writer projects, as well as the qualities they present.

Writing as product What is the final writing product? Introductio n Chapter one Chapter two Chapter three Where does the literature review fit into this larger piece of writing? Conclusio n Purpose and function?

Key aspects of the Literature Review • Your focus/agenda • What is the aim of your Literature Review? • Mapping existing knowledge • Key themes, patterns, issues • Debates and controversies • Key theories/definitions • Evaluating existing knowledge • Your viewpoint/stance • How does the literature relate to your project? • Gaps

Thinking and writing… Freewriting activity Capture your current thinking about: - Potential aims of your literature review - Possible or emerging themes, patterns and/or issues from your research and reading - Possible or emerging debates and/or controversies from your research and reading - Key theories/definitions - Your current viewpoint about the literature and its connections with your study

Demonstrating Your Learning: Bloom’s Taxonomy synthesis Bloom’s taxonomy of cognitive learning evaluation analysis application understanding knowledge 11/03/2021 So what? What if? What next? (Consequences/ implications) How? Why? (making connections) What, who, when? Where? @ncl_wdc Writing Development Centre

Analysing an example of a text ‘product’ As you re-read the example, make a note of any observations about the different aspects of authorial voice; • Paragraph structure – where to put your point • Tense: present tense = current, past tense = no longer current • Reporting verbs: neutral vs ‘loaded’ • Signpost words: however, therefore, in contrast, moreover, indeed etc • Placing of reference: integral vs non-integral • Use of quotation • Hedging: ‘it could be argued’

The function of the Literature Review • To develop and demonstrate your knowledge of your field • To develop and demonstrate your understanding of theory and method • To ‘map the field’ • What is the existing state of knowledge in this field? • Key patterns, themes, trends, debates? • To situate yourself on this map • What’s missing? What are the gaps? • Why are these gaps problematic? Why do they need to be filled?

Writing as process: constructing the product Reflecting on the writing process: - What is your writing process? - What are the different stages? - In what order do these stages occur?

Writing as a process (or series of processes!) What is involved in the writing process which results in the product? Initial drafting Researching Planning Reading Editing and proofreading Re-drafting

Reading and thinking: domains of critical reading Reflecting on approaches to reading: - What questions might you ask of sources? - What strategies might you use to help you make sense of the literature, map and evaluate existing literature?

Three Domains of Critical Reading Validity: On its own terms Context: discipline/profession, authors, currency, bias What are they doing? Research Question/Aims/Hypothesis How did they do it? Methods, Models and Materials How do they know? Argument, evidence, logic and reasoning What do they say? Findings and conclusions Synthesis: In relation to others Relevance: Usefulness to you

Strategies for gaining and maintaining an overview of the literature • Note-taking strategies • Note not just the content but your reaction to it, links with other texts, and your potential use for it • Map the literature: mindmaps, digital tagging, categorise • Writing prompts (Rowena Murray): • The main debates in my field are: • The main schools of thought are: • The main problems are: • What’s already known about this is: • The way thinking has changed is: • The areas that need more research are: • Research journaling

Planning and structuring your review • Establish your own agenda • What will your Literature Review do? What moves does it need to make? • There may be more than one function/purpose

Constructing your writing: Structural principles Chronologic al Schools of thought Sides of a debate Methods, theories, approaches Developme nt of a field Themes THE GAP Aspects of a whole Theory to practice Macro to micro Different contexts General to specific

The Writing Development Centre Develop your academic skills • • • Take effective notes Think critically Interpret essay questions Understand assessment criteria Read efficiently Argue convincingly Plan assignments Manage your time Express ideas confidently • • Revise effectively Critically review literature Structure essays Use drafting & editing techniques Make the most of lectures & seminars Manage your dissertation or Ph. D thesis Avoid plagiarism Improve your exam technique

The Writing Development Centre Level 2, Philip Robinson Library Undergraduate - Masters - Ph. D Our team of expert tutors offers: - One to one tutorials - Online resources including our Blog - Activities including Write Here, Write Now Visit us online: http: //www. ncl. ac. uk/students/wdc/ HASS – SAg. E - FMS

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