Welcome to Day 5 of the Under(Graduate) Literature Review Challenge!
Today, we move from writing our annotated bibliography toward writing our literature review. A literature review is a synthesis of ideas. As you begin identifying relationships between your sources in your literature review matrix from Day 4 --trends, patterns, commonalities, and disagreements-- you'll be able to start making meaning of those relationships (a.k.a., begin writing your literature review!).
Note 1: Unlike an annotated bibliography that looks at each source separately, a literature review is your chance to combine ideas among your sources and tell a story about what you're observing. This is your interpretation of the connections you have identified among your sources, and your contribution to our understanding of your topic!
Note 2: Consider the implications of what you've found, and what new questions should be asked about your topic (this will suggest implications for future research - perhaps your own!).
Note 3: Look at the literature reviews in the sources you have found for inspiration on how to synthesize information and organize concepts and themes.
Watch this Brief Video about Synthesis and Literature Reviews
Today's Task: Move from Summary to Synthesis!
Create 2-3 sentences that synthesize a pattern, trend, or relationship you see between two (or more!) of your sources. Use your template from yesterday that includes either your initial notes on your sources, or your annotations, to draw out these relationships. Synthesis takes time, so don't feel like you have to complete this today. Rather, use today to get started identifying those trends, and thinking about ways to put your sources in conversation with one another.
Pro-Tip from the Writing Center: Read Like a Writer!
This pro-tip is all about practicing writing while you're reading, and honing your authorial voice.
Optional, BONUS Task: Take this Brief Quiz: Summary or Synthesis?
This quiz will you give you additional practice identifying examples of synthesis in scholarly writing, perhaps inspiring your own approach to synthesizing your sources!
1. Answer each of the questions below, and then click the Submit button. Note: this quiz is anonymous.
2. Click on "View Score" to see what you got right or wrong, plus feedback on the answers!
Nicely done! You've completed the Under(Graduate) Literature Review Challenge!
Thank you for spending the week with us, and diving into all things literature review. We hope you found this program helpful, and we look forward to seeing you on campus and online!
