Read more than two hundred journal articles and still unsure where to start your literature review? You are not alone. The literature review section isn’t just a summary of what others have said.
It’s your chance to showcase your understanding, identify research gaps, and establish the foundation for your own study. Whether you are writing for a Master’s or PhD, you’ll need to evaluate and synthesize sources with a critical eye.
In this article, we’ll provide ten experts along with examples to help you write a coherent, clear, and compelling literature review that stands out in 2025.
Key Highlights of the Article
Here’s what you will learn in this article:
- Dissertation literature review shows your understanding to identify research gaps and establish the foundation for your own study.
- Start with a focused research question to guide your review’s direction.
- Use updated, peer-reviewed sources from 2015 to 2025 to maintain credibility.
- Organize sources thematically instead of listing them chronologically.
- Critically analyze studies, don’t just summarize them.
What is a Literature Dissertation?
A literature dissertation is a long scholarly research project that concentrates on the study, analysis, and interpretation of literary texts. It is usually written by students of a Master’s or PhD degree in English Literature or related fields.
In this kind of dissertation, learners examine a distinct theme, topic, author, genre, or time in literature. The purpose of a literature dissertation is to contribute authentic and original insight to literary studies.
Students can apply critical and philosophical theories such as feminism, post-colonialism, psychoanalysis, or existentialism to examine the text and make the ideas and arguments stronger.
It demonstrates the student’s ability to conduct independent research, engage with scholarly debates, and present findings in a structured, well-written format.
How Difficult is a Dissertation Literature Review?
According to the University of Southern California, this chapter is the acute examination of the existing research on a distinct topic. This section of the dissertation provides an overview of how much students have understood the topic, pinpoints gaps, and spotlights key findings.
Here is a breakdown of the literature section in simple words;
- A theoretical framework
- Identification of gaps in the literature
- A synthesis of research trends and findings
- Justification for your own research focus
The objective of writing this section is to present our own research within the context of previous literature. Discovering how to write a literature review is paramount for victorious research.
A number of students find writing a literature review section challenging, so they prefer to hire top-rated dissertation writing services like The Academic Papers UK. These platforms deliver high-quality dissertations with looming deadlines, allowing students to secure higher academic grades.
How to Write a Dissertation Literature Review in 2025? 10 Expert Tips
Writing a dissertation literature review can be one of the most demanding aspects of academic research. As of 2025, with evolving digital research tools, AI-assisted platforms, and open-access repositories, students now have more resources than ever before, but also more complexity to navigate.
Whether you are pursuing a Master’s, PhD., or professional doctorate, your literature review serves as the backbone of your dissertation. It provides context, justification, and a critical lens through which to view your own research.
With such complexity, a number of students ask how to write a good literature review that impresses the dissertation committee and earns higher academic grades. Here are ten experts on how to write a good dissertation literature review in 2025, complete with examples and strategies.
Let’s dig into the details right away to make your dissertation a winning one.
1: Clarify the Purpose of Your Review
One of the most effective tips to craft a good literature review is to be clear on the literature review’s purpose. Be clear and straightforward in telling what your literature review will accomplish.
Explain in detail whether it is exploratory, argumentative, chronological, or thematic. This approach will shape how you conduct the research process, what you include, and how you structure it.
Here is an example:
Example:
If your dissertation is about the use of robots in healthcare services, your literature review may aim to:
Here’s what you need to do:
- Trace the historical use of AI in medicine (chronological)
- Compare differing views on AI reliability (argumentative)
- Group research by AI application types (thematic)
One more thing you need to write a good literature review is to always mention the purpose of your review, with your research objective, questions, and the significance of the study.
2: Search Smart Using Advanced Tools
Research is considered the backbone of your dissertation. Deep and thorough research allows students to come up with stronger and logical arguments. Before starting to write your literature review section, pay closer attention to conducting ample research.
This approach will allow you to present your ideas confidently and cover the existing literature gap feasibly. Gone are the days when researchers solely relied on Google Scholar. In 2005, there were several advances and reliable research tools available.
Use advanced research tools like:
- Connected Papers: You can visualize research connections.
- Litmaps: With this tool, you can map out related studies.
- Scite.ai: See how a paper has been cited for supporting, contrasting, or mentioning.
- Elicit.org: Ask AI to summarize research articles.
For more amazing results, you can combine AI-powered research tools with human critical thinking. Don’t rely on AI summaries alone.
3: Define Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria
When you remain transparent about what to include or exclude in your literature review section builds credibility. It showcases the audience and readers that your research is methodologically sound and strong, and not based on random and unplanned selections.
This strategy tells your professor that you have conducted ample research and added the material that actually supports your arguments and perspectives.
Here’s the right inclusion criteria example you can consider when writing your literature review part.
- Peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2015–2025
- Studies focusing on AI applications in healthcare
- Empirical studies with a clear methodology and measurable outcomes
- English-language articles
You can also include a table in your methodology chapter listing your inclusion and exclusion criteria side by side. This visual summary adds a layer of professionalism and proves that your literature review is systematic, not selective.
4: Organize Thematically, Not Just Chronologically
While organizing sources chronologically shows how research has evolved over time, a thematic structure offers greater depth. Grouping studies by themes or topics allows for richer comparison, clearer insights, and smoother transitions.
Here’s an example of thematic organization in AI & Healthcare Literature Review:
- AI Applications in Radiology – focuses on how AI is used for medical imaging and diagnosis
- AI in Predictive Diagnostics – explores machine learning models that predict disease onset
- Ethical Concerns in AI-Driven Care – discusses algorithmic bias, data privacy, and accountability
- Patient Trust and Technology – examines how patients perceive AI-based healthcare interventions
You can use clear subheadings and transitions to guide your reader through the themes. It improves flow and demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the topic.
5: Critically Evaluate, Don’t Just Summarize
A strong literature review is more than a collection of summaries. You must analyze, critique, and synthesize findings across studies. You can ask critical questions like this:
- Is the methodology appropriate and replicable?
- Is the sample size sufficient and diverse?
- Are the conclusions supported by the data?
- How does the study compare or contrast with another research?
Example Critique:
“While Smith et al. (2021) report a 90% AI diagnostic accuracy, their sample consisted of only one hospital in an urban area. This limits the generalizability of their findings, especially in rural healthcare settings.”
Include a comparison table that briefly summarizes and critiques each major study on parameters like sample size, method, limitations, and relevance. It helps the reader see patterns and discrepancies at a glance.
6: Identify Gaps in the Literature
Identifying research gaps is important. It justifies your dissertation and shows you understand the field well enough to push it forward. Here’s how to find daps:
- Look for underrepresented populations or variables
- Identify areas with conflicting or inconclusive findings
- Note emerging technologies or approaches that lack long-term studies
- Spot themes mentioned in discussions but not explored in depth
Example Gap Statement:
“Although substantial research highlights the diagnostic precision of AI in clinical settings, there is a noticeable gap in literature examining how patients from culturally diverse backgrounds perceive AI-influenced medical decisions.”
Place your gap statement in the final paragraph of the literature review. This sets up the rationale for your research question and objectives in the next chapter.
7: Use Citation Tools Efficiently
Managing dozens of sources is time-consuming and challenging for students writing dissertations, especially the literature review section. The good news? Modern tools can help streamline citation, annotation, and organization.
Here’s a recommended Tools list by experts to utilize in 2025:
- Zotero & EndNote – Manage bibliographies, sync across devices, and use AI plugins to suggest related readings
- Ref-N-Write – Offers AI-powered paraphrasing based on proper citation structures
- Mendeley – Ideal for building shared reading lists, making annotations, and discovering recommended papers in your field
Never blindly copy AI-generated citations. Always verify author names, titles, publication years, and DOIs. Faulty citations can severely impact your academic credibility and grading.
8: Use Tables, Diagrams, and Concept Maps
Visual tools make your review more digestible and professional.
Examples:
- Concept Map: AI technologies mapped against medical fields
- Matrix Table: Compare authors, year, methods, findings, limitations
9: Maintain Academic Integrity and Avoid Plagiarism
AI writing tools can assist you in rewriting, paraphrasing, and summarizing the content to complete your literature review section feasibly, but keep in mind that these tools can make eyour dissertation look fabricated, weak, and result in duplicated and plagiarized work.
A copypaste work or thoughts can cost poor grades or mental health issues. So, be ethical, transparent, void fabrication, and cite correctly. Here is what you should avoid when writing a literature review section:
- Copy-paste AI-generated text without edits
- Use fabricated or unverified sources
- Submit AI-written literature reviews without revision
To avoid plagiarism and maintain academic integrity, you can use multiple reliable tools such a Turnitin, Grammarly Premium, or Scribbr. These tools let you scan your work before submission.
10: Write Iteratively with Feedback
Do you think writing a perfect literature review in one go is possible? If yes, then you are misconceived. Revise your knowledge that even the most brilliant students also take time to complete the literature review section because of its complexity and comparison with existing literature.
So, don’t try to write a perfect review in one go. Take your time, work in drafts, and share them with your supervisor on a regular basis. Your supervisor will be highlighting logical and thematic eros to assist you in coming up with a thoughtful and impactful literature review section for your dissertation.
Here is an example workflow:
- Draft your structure
- Annotate 10–20 key articles
- Write one thematic section
- Get feedback
- Refine and repeat
Students can utilise AI as a brainstorming partner, but rely on their critical skills to shape the final version.
Can I Write a Dissertation Literature Review on My Own?
Yes, you can absolutely write a dissertation literature review on your own. While it may seem challenging at first, particularly if you are not aware of the research process. It becomes easy and manageable when you break it into clear and brief sections.
A literature review is basically a survey of prior examination on the topic you have chosen. It shows your knowledge and understanding of the area, underscores gaps in current knowledge, and builds a basis for your own investigation.
To start, writing a literature review section, what you need is to your research question or topic clearly. Then, utilize scholarly databases such as JSTOR, Google Scholar, or your institute library outlet to find suitable sources such as peer-reviewed articles, books, and theses.
Once you have gathered your sources, analyze them critically. Look for patterns, debates, or contradictions in the research. Instead of just summarizing each source one by one, group them thematically or based on trends.
This helps create a coherent narrative that supports your dissertation’s focus. To manage everything smoothly, keep track of references using tools like Zotero or Mendeley. And don’t forget to follow the required citation style APA, MLA, or Chicago, whichever your institution prefers.
When it comes to citing resources in an academic manner, a number of students struggle ending up with stress and anxiety due to looming deadlines. In case you are also one of them, consider dissertation literature review help consulting London-based dissertation writing agencies to ease your dissertation writing journey.
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)
Is the Literature Review the Hardest Part of a Dissertation?
The literature review is often believed to be one of the most difficult parts of a dissertation writing because it demands critical thinking, comprehensive research, and the capability to synthesize diverse sources.
Learners must not only summarize existing analyses but also evaluate them and identify research gaps. Balancing relevance, academic credibility, and clarity can be overwhelming, especially when working with a large volume of material. However, with clear organization and guidance, this section can become a strong foundation for the entire dissertation.
Is 20,000 Words Enough for a Dissertation?
Yes, 20,000 words is typically enough for a Master’s level dissertation. This word count allows for a detailed introduction, literature review, methodology, analysis, and conclusion.
The key is not just the length, but the quality of argument, evidence, and structure. As long as your ideas are well-developed and meet your university’s standards, 20,000 words can be sufficient.
How Difficult is a Dissertation?
Writing a dissertation can be challenging, especially for students doing it for the first time. It requires independent research, academic writing skills, and the ability to manage a large project over time.
The difficulty also depends on the subject, the complexity of the topic, and the level of study. However, with proper planning, regular guidance from supervisors, and steady progress, it becomes manageable and a valuable learning experience in critical thinking and discipline.
Can I write a 10,000-word Dissertation in just 2 weeks?
Yes, you can write a 10,000-word thesis in just 2 weeks. Crafting a thesis demands attentive planning, time management, and preliminary research. You’ll need to dedicate several hours on a daily basis to reading, writing, and editing.
Having a clear outline, access to research materials, and a strong understanding of your topic will help speed up the process. However, rushing may affect the quality, so this should be a last resort rather than a recommended approach
