A good literature review example shows you something that definitions cannot: how a writer groups sources, compares findings and points to a gap. Reading a sample makes the task concrete, especially if you have never written one before.
This page gives you a literature review example with short annotated excerpts, a table of structure options, a weak versus strong paragraph comparison and a checklist for your own draft. The citations in the sample are placeholders for illustration, so replace them with real sources in your work.
Quick answer: A literature review example usually has three parts: an introduction that states the topic and scope, a body that groups sources by theme and compares their findings, and a conclusion that identifies gaps and links to your research question. Strong reviews synthesize sources instead of listing them one by one.
Key Takeaways
- A literature review example shows how to synthesize sources by theme, not summarize them one at a time.
- The standard structure is an introduction, thematic body sections and a conclusion that names a gap.
- Strong paragraphs make a claim, compare sources and explain why the comparison matters.
- Use a source matrix to track authors, methods, findings and limitations.
- All citations in the sample below are placeholders; use real sources and your required style.
What Is a Literature Review?
A literature review is a structured discussion of existing research on a topic. It shows what scholars already know, where they disagree and what remains unanswered. Consequently, it justifies your own research question or argument.
Students write literature reviews as stand-alone assignments, as chapters in a thesis and as sections of research papers. The task differs from an annotated bibliography, which summarizes each source separately. A review connects sources into a single argument.
Literature Review Example Structure
Most reviews follow a three-part frame. The table shows what each part does.
| Part | Purpose | Typical length (in a 2,000-word review) |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction | Define the topic, scope and aim; state the research question | 150 to 250 words |
| Body | Group sources by theme, method or time; compare and evaluate | 1,400 to 1,600 words |
| Conclusion | Summarize patterns, name gaps and link to your study | 200 to 300 words |
Annotated Literature Review Example
This literature review example covers one topic from start to finish.
The sample below reviews research on sleep and academic performance in college students. The annotations in italics explain what each part does. Authors and years are placeholders.
Sample introduction
Sleep is widely viewed as essential to learning, yet many college students sleep fewer than seven hours on school nights (Author A, 2020). This review examines research from 2015 to 2025 on how sleep duration affects academic performance in undergraduate students. It first compares studies by method, then groups findings into three themes: memory, attention and grades. Finally, it identifies gaps that a new study could address.
Annotation: The first sentence defines the topic and its importance. The second states scope, period and population. The third previews the structure.
Sample body paragraph: memory
Studies agree that sleep supports memory consolidation. Author B (2018) found that students who slept eight hours after studying recalled 20 percent more items than students who stayed awake. Similarly, Author C (2019) reported stronger recall in a lab sample after a night of normal sleep. However, both studies relied on word lists, which may not reflect real coursework. By contrast, Author D (2021) used course exams and found a smaller effect, which suggests that task type shapes the outcome.
Annotation: The paragraph opens with a claim, compares two studies that agree, then introduces a limitation and a contrasting study. It explains what the difference means instead of listing summaries.
Sample body paragraph: grades
Evidence on grades is less consistent. Author E (2017) linked each additional hour of weeknight sleep to a small gain in grade point average, whereas Author F (2022) found no clear relationship after controlling for study time. One explanation is measurement: studies using self-reported sleep tend to show weaker links than studies using wearable devices (Author G, 2023). Therefore, the question of whether sleep affects grades depends partly on how researchers measure sleep.
Annotation: The paragraph shows disagreement, offers an explanation and ends with an interpretation. Notice the transition words that guide the reader.
Sample conclusion
Overall, research agrees that sleep supports memory, but evidence for its effect on grades remains mixed. Most studies use short time frames and small samples from a single university. Few examine first-generation students or those working part-time. A study that tracks sleep with wearable devices across a full semester in a diverse sample would address these gaps.
Annotation: The conclusion summarizes patterns, names limitations and points to a specific gap that leads to your research question.
Weak vs. Strong Literature Review Paragraphs
A second literature review example, this time in miniature, shows the difference between listing and synthesizing.
The most common mistake is writing a list of summaries. Compare the two versions below.
| Feature | Weak paragraph | Strong paragraph |
|---|---|---|
| Opening | Starts with an author name | Starts with a claim about the theme |
| Sources | Summarized one by one | Compared and grouped |
| Voice | Only reports what authors said | Evaluates methods and limits |
| Transitions | Then, next, also | However, similarly, by contrast |
| Ending | Stops after the last summary | Explains what the pattern means |
For example, a weak sentence reads: “Author B found that sleep helps memory. Author C also studied sleep and memory.” The strong version reads: “Two laboratory studies agree that sleep supports recall (Author B, 2018; Author C, 2019), although both used word lists.”
Ways to Organize a Literature Review
Choose an organizing principle before you write, because it shapes the headings and the flow.
| Approach | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Thematic | Group sources by idea or topic | Most student reviews |
| Chronological | Trace how research changed over time | Fields with clear historical shifts |
| Methodological | Group by research method | Comparing qualitative and quantitative work |
| Theoretical | Group by framework or school of thought | Theory-heavy disciplines |
| Funnel | Move from broad context to your narrow question | Thesis and dissertation chapters |
Most reviews use a thematic structure, sometimes combined with a short chronological overview in the introduction.
How to Write Your Own Literature Review in 6 Steps
- Define your question and scope. Decide the topic, time frame and population.
- Search systematically. Use Google Scholar, JSTOR, PubMed or your library databases, and record your search terms.
- Screen and select. Keep peer-reviewed or authoritative sources that fit your scope.
- Build a source matrix. Record author, year, method, sample, findings and limitations.
- Group by theme. Look for agreement, disagreement and gaps.
- Draft, then revise for synthesis. Turn lists of summaries into paragraphs that compare sources.
Source matrix example
A matrix helps you see patterns across sources. Here is a short version.
| Source | Method | Sample | Main finding | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Author B (2018) | Lab experiment | 120 undergraduates | 8 hours of sleep improved recall | Word lists only |
| Author E (2017) | Survey | 1,500 students | Slight grade gains per extra hour | Self-reported sleep |
| Author G (2023) | Wearable devices | 400 students | Stronger link with objective sleep data | One university |
Literature Review Checklist
Use this list to compare your draft with the literature review example above.
Check your draft against this list before you submit.
| Check | Question |
|---|---|
| Scope | Does the introduction state topic, period and population? |
| Synthesis | Do paragraphs compare sources instead of listing them? |
| Evaluation | Do I comment on methods and limitations? |
| Coverage | Have I included major, recent and opposing studies? |
| Gap | Does the conclusion name a clear gap? |
| Link | Does the gap lead to my research question? |
| Citations | Are all sources cited in the required style? |
Common Mistakes in a Literature Review
Even a strong literature review example can mislead if you copy its mistakes of focus, so watch for these.
- Listing sources one by one. Group them by theme and compare.
- Quoting too much. Paraphrase and cite instead.
- Ignoring disagreement. Show where studies conflict and why.
- Using outdated sources only. Add recent studies as well as classics.
- Skipping the gap. Explain what the existing research does not cover.
- Mixing styles. Use one citation style, such as APA or MLA, throughout.
Moreover, always credit ideas and wording from other authors, and follow our academic integrity policy when you adapt the structure shown here.
Frequently Asked Questions About Literature Reviews
What is a literature review example?
A literature review example is a sample text that shows how to summarize, compare and evaluate existing research on a topic. It usually includes an introduction, thematic body paragraphs and a conclusion that names a research gap.
How long is a literature review?
A stand-alone student review is often 1,500 to 3,000 words, while a thesis chapter may reach 5,000 to 10,000 words. Follow your assignment instructions for the exact limit.
What is the difference between a literature review and an annotated bibliography?
An annotated bibliography summarizes each source separately. A literature review connects sources into one argument by comparing findings, methods and gaps.
How many sources should a literature review include?
Short student reviews often use 10 to 20 sources, while longer reviews may use 40 or more. Quality and relevance matter more than the number.
What are the main parts of a literature review?
The main parts are an introduction that sets scope and aim, body sections that group sources by theme, and a conclusion that identifies gaps and links to the research question.
Should a literature review have an opinion?
It should evaluate sources and take a position about the state of the research, but it should not argue a personal opinion without evidence. Back every judgment with specific points from the sources.
Which citation style should I use?
Use the style your instructor or field requires. APA is common in the social sciences, MLA in the humanities and Chicago in history. Stay consistent from start to finish.
Can I use headings in a literature review?
Yes. Thematic headings help readers follow the structure, especially in longer reviews. Use short, descriptive headings that match your organizing principle.
Use This Literature Review Example as a Model
A strong literature review example teaches one lesson above all: synthesize, do not summarize. State your scope, group sources by theme, compare findings, evaluate methods and end with the gap that your own work will fill.
Before you draft, decide what you want to ask. Our guide on how to write a research question shows how to turn a broad topic into a focused question, and the lesson on how to write a thesis statement helps you state your claim. For more samples, visit the Research Paper Examples category or the Papers Open homepage.
Information only. This guide is general educational information. It is not professional advice, and Papers Open is not affiliated with any school, college or university. Follow your instructor's requirements. See our disclaimer and academic integrity policy.