A good literature review example does more than list past studies one after another. It groups them by theme, compares what they agree on, notes where they disagree, and shows what is still missing.
This guide gives you exactly that. You will see a short sample on one topic, written in a synthesis style. You will also get a full outline template you can adapt to your own review. The length of a review and the number of sources it needs vary by university and degree level, so always check your program handbook first.
In This Guide
What a Literature Review Does
A literature review is a survey of research that already exists on your topic. It shows your reader what is known, what is debated, and where your own study fits in.
It is not a simple summary. A summary retells one study at a time. A review connects studies to each other and builds an argument about the field as a whole.
It Maps the Field
Your review should give a clear map of the main ideas in your area. Readers should see the key themes, the main approaches, and the questions researchers keep returning to.
It Builds Toward Your Gap
Every strong review ends with a gap. That gap is the missing piece your study will address. Without it, your review is just a list. With it, your review has a clear purpose.
If you are still planning the full document, our guide to dissertation structure shows where the review sits among the other chapters.
Literature Review Example: Sample Synthesis Paragraphs
The sample below uses one topic: online learning and student motivation. It is a sample only, written to show the style. Notice how each paragraph groups studies by theme, rather than describing one study, then the next, then the next.
Theme One: Flexibility and Motivation
Research on flexibility points in a similar direction. Studies that look at self-paced online courses often link flexible schedules to higher motivation, because students can learn at times when they focus best. At the same time, other work on the same theme adds a warning: flexibility helps most when students also have clear deadlines and regular feedback. Taken together, these studies suggest that freedom alone is not enough. Structure matters just as much as choice.
Theme Two: Interaction and Engagement
A second group of studies focuses on interaction. Research on discussion forums, live sessions, and group work often connects regular contact with teachers and classmates to stronger engagement. In contrast, courses with little interaction tend to report lower motivation, even when the course material itself is strong. When these findings are read side by side, a pattern appears: motivation grows not only from good content, but from feeling connected to a learning community.
From Themes to the Gap
When the two themes are combined, a gap becomes clear. Much research looks at flexibility and interaction separately, but less work explores how the two work together for students who study fully online over a whole semester. That combined question — how flexible design plus regular interaction shapes motivation over time — is the kind of gap a new study could fill. This is what synthesis looks like: themes first, comparison second, and a gap at the end.
Literature Review Outline Template
Use this template as a starting point, then adjust the themes to fit your topic. Your headings will change, but the shape stays the same: introduction, body by themes, and a conclusion that names the gap.
Introduction
Your introduction should do three jobs in short order. First, state your topic and why it matters. Second, define the scope: which years, settings, or types of studies you will cover. Third, preview the themes you will discuss, so readers know where the review is going.
Body Organized by Themes
This is the longest part of your review. Each theme gets its own section. Inside each section, compare studies, note agreements and disagreements, and explain what the theme shows overall. Do not give each study its own separate section. Group them, as in the sample above.
A simple body shape looks like this:
- Theme 1: what the research shows, and where it disagrees
- Theme 2: what the research shows, and where it disagrees
- Theme 3: what the research shows, and where it disagrees
- How the themes connect to each other
End each theme section with a short takeaway. That takeaway tells the reader why the theme matters for your study.
Conclusion and Research Gap
Your conclusion should pull the themes together in a few short paragraphs. Restate the main patterns, point out the limits of past work, and name the gap clearly. Then link that gap to your own research question. This final step turns a summary into a case for your study.
For style and source guidance, the trusted Purdue OWL site at Purdue OWL offers helpful writing resources. If you need broader planning help, see our step-by-step guide on how to write a dissertation.
How to Organize Your Review by Theme
Many students start with a long list of sources and feel stuck. Themes give that list a shape. Here is a simple way to find them.
Sort Before You Write
Read your notes and look for repeated ideas. If several sources talk about flexibility, that is a theme. If several talk about interaction, that is another theme. Aim for a small number of clear themes, not one theme per source.
Compare Inside Each Theme
Inside each theme, ask three questions. Where do the studies agree? Where do they disagree? What explains the difference — the setting, the group studied, or the method used? Your answers become the sentences of your review.
Connect Each Theme to Your Gap
After each theme, add one line that links it back to your study. This keeps your review focused. If a theme does not connect to your gap, it may not belong in the review at all.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A few common errors can weaken an otherwise good review. Watch for these as you draft.
Listing Summaries One by One
If every paragraph starts with a new study and ends without linking to the last one, you are summarizing, not synthesizing. Add linking sentences that compare and connect.
Forgetting the Gap
Some reviews describe the field well but never say what is missing. Always end with a clear gap. Your reader should know exactly what your study adds.
Mixing Sources Without Order
A review with no themes feels random, even if the sources are good. Sort your sources first, then write. If you need help sorting sources and building a clear plan, literature review help can guide your structure and editing. For early source notes, annotated bibliography help can help you organize summaries before you start synthesizing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a literature review example supposed to show?
It should show synthesis in action: sources grouped by theme, compared with each other, and linked to a research gap. A list of separate summaries does not show that skill.
How long should a literature review be?
There is no single correct length. Review length and number of sources vary by university and degree level, so follow your program handbook and your supervisor’s guidance.
Should I organize my review by theme or by study?
Organize by theme. Grouping studies by theme lets you compare findings and build an argument, while organizing by study usually turns into a list of summaries.
How do I find the research gap?
Look for what the themes do not explain together. A gap often appears where studies disagree, where a group or setting is missing, or where two themes have not been studied together.
Can I use the outline in this guide for my own topic?
Yes. Keep the shape — introduction, body by themes, and conclusion with a gap — and replace the sample themes with themes from your own sources.
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