(Themes refers to general keywords, ideas, and categories related to the research topic of your paper. )
一开始面对大量的信息，可能会觉得无从下手，别担心，这是很正常的。静下心来仔细研读文献，你会挖掘出。边读边做笔记，总结文献中的重要信息，慢慢地你就会发现 “themes within the research studies and literature” ，基于这些themes来构思论文的headings and subheadings，最后你的文献综述的框架就搭好啦。
2. Outlines and graphic organizers
(Outline: An outline sets forth the thesis and lists the major points that will be made to support or prove the thesis. Each major point can be further elaborated upon with minor points and subtopics. A linear outline is a map of an assignment, with a clear path from Point A (the thesis) to Point B (the conclusion). The path between the two points is composed of the major points and subtopics presented to support the thesis statement.)
Brown (2008) studied A and found Y. Roberts (2012) investigated B and found X and Y. Peterson (2007, 2013) conducted a long-term investigation into C and found X, Y and Z.
注意，我们的文章需要体现：
• Arguments from different sources & link them together
• Your own analysis & interpretation. Analysis is not just your opinion, it needs to be supported by the literature
可以用如下方式呈现：
a) Distant to close
Most distantly related to your work → Most closely related to your work
b) Chronological
Earliest related work → Most recent related work
c) Comparison and contrast of different approaches or particular features or characteristics of relevant theories and research
One approach → An alternative approach → Another approach
Most early theories of motivation were concerned with need satisfaction. Robbins, Millet, Cacioppe and Waters-Marsh (1998) argued that motivation relies on what a person needs and wants. Similarly, the early theories of Maslow and McGregor (Robbins et al 1998) focused on personal needs satisfaction as the basis for motivational behavior. However, recent studies outlined by Leonard, Beauvais and Scholl (1999) suggest that personality and disposition play an equally important role in motivation. Current thinking does not discount these theories, but simply builds on them to include a self-concept.
4. 规范学术用语
在写文献综述或者陈述自己的观点的时候，很多同学喜欢用“Author A says …, Author B mentions…”呈现，但是在这些表达观点的学术用语在使用上也是有讲究的哦！注意区分：
• that which is certainly true:
- e.g. Influenza is caused by a virus.
• that which is only probably true [how probable?]:
- e.g. Schizophrenia seems to result from an interaction between genetic factors and environmental stressors.
• that which is only possibly true:
- e.g. A student group may perform badly on an assignment because of interpersonal conflict between group members.
Hedges
• Used to indicate various levels of a lack of complete certainty.
• Also used to be diplomatic when critiquing the work of others.
e.g. Show that / always; demonstrate / substantially; clearly show / will; fact that;
obviously / will
Certainly true
Tyacke and Mendelsohn’s (1986) diary study showed that lower-level students always depended far more on their teacher and on grammar rules than higher-level students.
Politzer (1983) demonstrated that females used social learning strategies substantially more often than males.
The findings clearly show that in typical language learning situations women will use more learning strategies than men.
Probably true
• Research suggests that higher-level students may use more effective foreign language learning strategies than students with lower ability.
• According to several researchers, it seems that language students use different strategies as they progress.
• Many researchers assume that the learner’s level of motivation is likely to influence the choice of strategies.
Possibly true (conjectures based on relevant knowledge or theory)
• These gender differences might be explained by differences in communication preferences.
• We hypothesize however that after strategy training, men and women will both show strategy strengths.
• We speculate that the problem was low motivation for language learning.
• Politzer and McGroarty (1985) report the possible importance of language learning goals.
Key signal / signposting words used in critical writing
Key signal / signposting words
5. Integrating critical literature reviews into your dissertation
EG1hao
