How to write literature review:
Like all academic writing, a literature review must have an introduction, body, and conclusion.
The introduction should include:
the nature of the topic under discussion (the topic of your thesis)
the parameters of the topic (what does it include and exclude)?
the basis for your selection of the literature
The conclusion should include:
A summary of major agreements and disagreements in the literature
A summary of general conclusions that are being drawn.
A summary of where your thesis sits in the literature (Remember! Your thesis could become one of the future texts on the subject—how will later research students describe your thesis in their literature reviews?)
The body paragraphs could include relevant paragraphs on:
historical background, including classic texts;
current mainstream versus alternative theoretical or ideological viewpoints, including differing theoretical assumptions, differing political outlooks, and other conflicts;
possible approaches to the subject (empirical, philosophical, historical, postmodernist, etc);
definitions in use;
current research studies;
current discoveries about the topic;
principal questions that are being asked;
general conclusions that are being drawn;
methodologies and methods in use