The document provides guidance on writing a coherent literature review in three sections. It discusses putting together a literature review by evaluating relevant sources and synthesizing information. A good review critically discusses and identifies gaps in the literature, rather than just summarizing. Coherence means a well-organized, unified writing that connects all elements and sections through transitional phrases. The sections of a literature review are an introduction outlining the topic and context, a body addressing previous research grouped by theme and identifying main issues, and a conclusion summarizing current knowledge and establishing the importance of the proposed research.

1. WRITING COHERENT
RELEVANT LITERATURE
LESSON 14

2. Putting together the Literature Review
> Reviewing the literature requires the ability to do multiple
tasks from finding and evaluating relevant material to
synthesizing information from various sources: from critical
thinking to paraphrasing; evaluating and citation skills.
> Reviewing the literature is challenging. A good review
does not just summarize the literature but discusses it
critically, identifies methodological problems and prints out
research gaps.

3. What is a COHERENCE?
> Coherence directs to a well-organized and unified piece of
writing.
> It also refers on how well a manuscript holds together as a
unified document. It is important to ask yourself how well the
elements of your review connect with one another.
> Transitional expressions and other kinds of rhetorical markers
also help to identify the connection among the different
sections as “ in the next example” or “ in a related study”, the
most recent finding in the study.
> Use “First, Second and Third” at the beginning of your paragraphs
to mark the development of the related points.

4. Sections of a Literature Review
> INTRODUCTION
◦ The introduction to the literature review is often a single
paragraph that:
◦ > introduces the general topic and provides an appropriate scholarly or
societal context for the review.
◦ Identifies the overall state of knowledge about the topic (conflicts in theory,
methodology, evidence and conclusions; gaps in research)

5. Sections of a Literature Review
> BODY
◦ Address previous research on the topic, grouped according to theme,
theoretical perspective, methodological approach, chronological
development;
◦ Draw together the significance of previous, individual studies by
highlighting the main themes, issues and knowledge gaps.
◦ Use strong umbrella sentences at the beginning and end of each
paragraph.
◦ Include brief “so what” sentences at intermediate points in the review
to connect the literature to the proposed research objectives
◦ Described previous work you have accomplished related to the
proposed research.

6. Sections of a Literature Review
> CONCLUSION
◦ Provides a summary statement of the overall state of knowledge
about the topic, including gaps in knowledge and understanding,
reconnecting to your introduction.
◦ Reinforces the research purpose or objectives and establishes to
the potential significance or importance of your proposed
research, relative to the current state of knowledge.

7. Sample of Coherent Literature Review