ABSTRACT

The picture shows a stack of journals and books next to a laptop computer. The image identifies the critical pieces of writing a literature review-the stacks of literature you will read and a computer for writing up your review (well, we suppose you could use a typewriter if you’re “old school”). In this chapter you will learn about the process of writing a literature review. A literature review is a critical part of any research paper or article. The literature review provides the intellectual foundation for the communication phenomenon you are studying. You will want to spend time and energy preparing a strong and compelling review. The literature review is one of the first sections of a paper or article. The strength of the review can help set the tone for the scholarly potential for your entire study.