Literature review template

Quick answer

A literature review template has an introduction, body sections organized by theme, a section on gaps and disagreement, and a conclusion. Plan it with an outline, and use a synthesis matrix to compare your sources side by side before you write.

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[Title: Topic and Scope of the Review]
[Tip: when you write the full review, use double spacing and your assignment's citation style.]
Introduction
•[Define the topic and say why it matters.]
•[State the scope: time period, populations, types of studies included.]
•[Briefly describe how you searched: databases, search terms, inclusion criteria.]
•[State the purpose of the review and preview how it is organized.]
[Theme 1 Heading]
•[Topic sentence stating what the literature says about this theme.]
•[Group sources that agree. Compare and contrast their methods and findings.]
•[Note disagreements and possible reasons for them.]
•[A short synthesis sentence to end the section.]
[Theme 2 Heading]
•[Topic sentence stating what the literature says about this theme.]
•[Group sources that agree. Compare and contrast their methods and findings.]
•[Note disagreements and possible reasons for them.]
•[A short synthesis sentence to end the section.]
[Theme 3 Heading]
•[Topic sentence stating what the literature says about this theme.]
•[Group sources that agree. Compare and contrast their methods and findings.]
•[Note disagreements and possible reasons for them.]
•[A short synthesis sentence to end the section.]
Gaps and Limitations in the Literature
•[What is missing, contested or weakly supported.]
•[Methodological weaknesses that recur across studies.]
Conclusion
•[Summarize the main themes and what the literature shows overall.]
•[State the gap your own research or paper addresses.]
•[Suggest directions for future research.]
References
[List every source you cited, in your required citation style.]
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Before you submit

Starting from a blank document? Set it up yourself

In Microsoft Word

  1. For the matrix, open the matrix file in landscape orientation (Layout, Orientation, Landscape).
  2. Add one row for each source and fill in each column.
  3. Sort or color rows by theme, then use the grouping to write each section of the review.
  4. For the review itself, use 1 inch margins, Times New Roman 12 pt, double spacing and your assigned style.

In Google Docs

  1. For the matrix, open the matrix file or the CSV in Google Sheets.
  2. Add one row for each source and fill in each column.
  3. Use Data, Sort range, or filter by the theme column, to group the rows.
  4. For the review itself, open a new doc with 1 inch margins and double spacing in your assigned style.

Filled-in example

Sample content for illustration. Do not cite.
Sample literature review

literature-review-example.docx: a short sample literature review with themes and a gap section, and literature-review-matrix-example.docx: a matrix filled with invented sources. Sample content only.

Download the example
Active Learning in Undergraduate STEM Courses: A Review of the Evidence
Introduction
Active learning, in which students work on problems during class instead of only listening, has become a common recommendation for undergraduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) courses. This review covers studies of introductory STEM courses at four-year colleges published in the last fifteen years. It summarizes what the research says about exam performance and participation, identifies where the evidence is weak, and suggests where future work should focus.
Exam Performance
Studies across several disciplines report that active learning improves exam scores compared with lecture alone (Author A, Year; Author B, Year), although the size of the effect differs by course level (Author C, Year). Most of these studies compare two sections of the same course, so differences in instructors and students may explain part of the gap. Studies that adjust for prior grades report smaller but still positive effects.
Participation and Equity
Research on participation suggests that structured activities reduce gaps between student groups (Author D, Year). Findings are less consistent when activities are unstructured, where confident students tend to speak most (Author E, Year). Evidence on long-term outcomes is limited.
Gaps and Limitations
Few studies follow students beyond the introductory course, so lasting effects remain unclear. Many studies also rely on self-reported participation, which may overstate how much active learning took place.
Conclusion
The literature points toward modest gains from active learning, especially when activities are structured. Future research should follow students over several semesters and measure participation directly.
Note: citations such as (Author A, Year) stand in for real sources. In a real review, each one is a specific study.
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Sample synthesis matrix

A synthesis matrix filled in with invented sources. Sample content only.

Download the example
Literature Review Synthesis Matrix: Example
Fill in one row per source. Read down a column to compare sources and across a row to understand one source. Use the Theme column to group sources when you write the review.
Source (citation)
Research question or aim
Method and sample
Key findings
Strengths and limits
Theme
(Author A, Year)
Does active learning change exam scores?
Quasi-experiment, 300 students in two course sections
Higher mean scores in the active learning section
Large sample, but no random assignment
Exam performance
(Author B, Year)
Does structured group work reduce gaps between student groups?
Survey and grades, 12 courses
Smaller gaps in courses with structured group work
Many courses, but self-reported participation
Equity and participation
(Author C, Year)
Do the effects last after the course ends?
Follow-up of 150 students one year later
Small, uneven effects after one year
Only one institution
Long-term outcomes
Note: the entries above are invented to show how to fill in the matrix. Replace them with your own sources.
1

How to use this template

  1. Download the files or choose Copy to Google Docs to get your own editable copies.

  2. Define your topic and scope in one or two sentences. A narrow topic is easier to review well.

  3. Search for sources and add each one to the matrix as you read. Fill in every column.

  4. Look down the Theme column. Group sources that address the same question or idea. Aim for two to five themes.

  5. Use the outline to write one section per theme, comparing sources against each other rather than describing them one at a time.

  6. Write the gaps section from the Strengths and limits column and from questions no source answers.

  7. Write the introduction and conclusion last, so they match what you found.

Rules at a glance

Element

Guidance

Purpose

Summarize, compare and evaluate existing research on a topic, and show where your work fits

Organization

By theme (most common), chronology, or method. Avoid listing one source per paragraph

Synthesis

Compare sources against each other: where they agree, differ and why

Voice

Formal, third person. Use present tense for what a source argues and past tense for what researchers did, unless your style guide says otherwise

Headings

One per theme, written as a descriptive label

Citation style

Whatever your assignment requires. APA is common in the social sciences

Length

Varies widely. Follow your assignment

Common mistakes

  • Writing a list of summaries, one source per paragraph, with no comparison. Organize by theme.

  • Skipping evaluation. Say how strong the evidence is, not only what it found.

  • Too many direct quotes. Paraphrase and keep quotes for wording that matters.

  • No stated scope. Tell the reader what you included and why.

  • Reviewing only sources that agree with you. Include contrary findings.

  • Ending without a gap. A literature review should lead to a question or a need for further work.

Frequently asked questions

What is a literature review?

A literature review is a survey and analysis of existing research on a topic. It does not only list sources; it compares them, evaluates their strength and identifies gaps for future research.

How do I structure a literature review?

Use an introduction that states the topic, scope and purpose, several body sections organized by theme, a section on gaps and limitations, and a conclusion. The outline above follows this structure.

What is a synthesis matrix?

A synthesis matrix is a table that records key details about each source in rows and columns, so you can compare sources side by side and spot themes. It is the working tool you use before writing.

How many sources do I need?

It depends on the assignment and field. A short course review may use 8 to 15 sources; a thesis chapter may use many more. Quality and relevance matter more than number.

Should I organize by theme, by date or by method?

Theme is usually best because it lets you compare sources that address the same question. Chronological order suits a topic whose ideas changed over time. Method suits reviews that compare research designs.

What is the difference between a literature review and an annotated bibliography?

An annotated bibliography summarizes each source separately. A literature review connects the sources into one argument about the state of knowledge. Many writers build an annotated bibliography first, then a review.

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Structure follows standard guidance on literature reviews from university writing centers and libraries (for example the UNC Writing Center and the Purdue OWL). Last reviewed October 2026.

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