Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Technical Communication
Tutorial 3 Notes
Literature Review
Outline
1. What is a literature Review (LR)?
2. Organisation of LR
3. Paraphrasing and Summarising
4. Language Features
1. Overview
An overview is a general
statement/statement of fact leading to
the rest of your discussion in this section
of your report. This will give the reader an
idea of the kind of works that will be
discussed in the chapter.
Example: This literature review will focus on
the different studies conducted on
landslides.
Language & Communication Centre I
2. Body: Claims
The main body of the review can be organised in many
ways. Here are some tips:
o Find a focus. What themes or issues connect your
sources? Do your sources present one or different
solutions? How well do your sources present the
material? Do your sources reveal a trend in the field?
A gap? A debate?
Do not list your sources and describe each one in detail.
2. Body: Claims
(continued)
You also need to evaluate and present your own views about
the works you are referring to.
10
Consider organisation.
o
o
11
12
13
14
15
3. Closing
What is missing from the previous research?
What does your research plan to achieve?
16
(Hyland, 2005)
Language & Communication Centre I
17
agree
make clear
affirm
o Neutral
report point out explain state
observe
18
19
20
Summary
o The literature review is an important section
in your study/research/report.
o It should answer the following questions :
1.
21
References
Finkelstein, L. (2005). Pocket book of technical writing for engineers
and scientists (2nd ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.
Krishnan, L. A. (2006). Engineering your report: From start to finish
(2nd ed.). Singapore: Prentice Hall.
Goatly, A. (2000). Critical reading and writing: An introductory
coursebook. London: Routledge.
Hinkel, E. (2004). Teaching academic ESL writing: Practical techniques
in vocabulary and grammar. Mahwah, N.J.: L. Erlbaum Associates.
Hyland, K. (2005). Metadiscourse: Exploring interaction in writing.
London; New York: Continuum.
Purdue University (2010). The OWL at Purdue. Retrieved January 7,
2010 from the World Wide Web: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/
22