Literature Review Template: Writing Tips and Examples

A literature review template is a structured outline that organizes this section of a paper. This is the part of any academic work where the writer sums up all existing research about a topic. A template can show you where each component of the literature review should go, which helps you stay on track.

The purpose of this article is to explain what a template for literature review looks like and describe its main components. EssayService also offers access to an essay writer who can take over your assignments if you feel there are too many to handle.

What Is Literature Review?

A literature review is a systematic overview of published research related to a specific topic. It summarizes and evaluates existing studies. The purpose of this part is to:

• Reveal trends
• Highlight strengths in research
• Point out gaps in knowledge

A literature review helps students see the current state of research before they commit to it. Unlike a bibliography that simply lists separate sources, this section shows connections between studies. 

You can learn more about the differences between a literature review vs annotated bibliography here.

Essential Parts of a Literature Review Template

A strong template relies on several connected parts. Here are the main components of a literature review:

Literature Review Template

Here is a straightforward visual guide that demonstrates how to structure a literature review. It outlines the key sections in order and provides a simple framework students can follow.

Literature Review Template

Literature Review Template

Steps for Writing a Literature Review

A literature review guide helps break down the writing process into clear steps. You define your topic and move step by step all the way through drafting and revising. Following these simple steps ensures your work is properly structured.

Define Your Topic

The very first task is narrowing your focus. A review that tries to cover everything ends up saying nothing useful. Thinking about this in the beginning will save you time on this problem. Your topic should be something that interests you and also matters for your research goals.

Be specific. Once you find the focus that you’re interested in, set clear limits. Boundaries can be shaped by timeframe, population, or context. The point is to frame the review so it answers a real research question.

Search for Sources

The real work begins with finding material. Weak research makes the entire review just as weak, so you need to find reliable, high-quality sources. Otherwise, you risk losing all authority. When writing literature reviews, it's okay to search widely at first. You can filter the most important sources later on.

Research in some fields becomes outdated in a year, so pay attention to publication dates. Abstracts are useful for understanding how relevant a study is before you commit to full texts. Follow this simple guide:

• Begin with a set of focused keywords.
• Skim abstracts before committing to a source.
• Use filters for date, method, or subject area.
• Save citation details while you search.

Take Notes While Reading

Sources are only useful if you can eventually make sense of them. Note-taking can turn that raw material into insight that you can later analyze. Instead of copying and pasting, first identify what matters most while reading.

Write everything down in your own words so it’s easier to understand. Inconsistencies are just as important to keep track of as the strengths. Those details will help you compare studies and find gaps in research that your own project could address. Take notes of:

• Research aim.
• Methodology.
• Findings.
• Strengths and weaknesses.
• Gaps or contradictions.

Create an Outline

Once you've filled pages of notes, the next step is to step back and look for order. Patterns start to appear when you group by theme, method, or chronology. This is where a proper structure begins to show. Grouping the research in this way turns a stack of disconnected notes into something you can work with.

Outlining makes it easier to write your literature review with a logical flow. You also keep yourself from wandering off track. A proper structure shows exactly where the research is strong and where gaps remain. This gives you additional directions on what to emphasize. 

Draft and Revise

Now comes the part people fear the most: the writing. The first part certainly won't be perfect. Don’t expect it to be. Rewriting it a couple of times is definitely not something to stress about.  Once everything’s on page, you can refine the text. Here's how you should approach this part:

• Begin with an introduction that tells the purpose of the review.
• Present grouped themes in the body. Use transitions to keep ideas connected.
• End with a conclusion that summarizes findings and explains their importance.
• Edit to strengthen the argument and improve clarity.
• Revise until the review reads clearly.

Add to Your Paper

A literature review belongs inside your research paper. It comes directly after the introduction. This placement is important because it explains the value of the study. The review also ties your project to the broader conversation. It points out the gaps or blind spots in existing research and shows how your study responds to them. 

Done carefully, this part of the paper strengthens the entire argument. You show that you’re credible. It also becomes clear that your research truly belongs in the discussion.