It is very important for Teachers to explain why students
need to learn 'writing a literature review'. I wonder how many graduate students
are aware of asking themselves about the importance of conducting
' a literature review' on a specific topic. I never thought also this. During
facilitating students' writing, one day I asked one student, "Why are you
learning to write a dissertation?" Student was very surprised to hear this
question. Then student answered that I had never thought that. Student
again told, “I need to submit a dissertation to the graduate school, if I would
like to be an PhD. graduate.” I asked as a writing facilitator, "Would you
agree with me, if I say that you write dissertation to share your research
during your PhD. life with graduate school". Student answered, "Yes, I
am completely agree with you." Likewise, literature review is one the
foundation parts to understand the concept of the research and also recognize
the current demand of the specific concept. Planning for a good literature
review, a student needs to know three writing techniques: 1) Summarize, 2) Paraphrase,
and 3) Synthesize. Summarize means: when you are writing the main ideas of a
paragraph by collecting similar words and phrases. Paraphrase means: when you
are sharing the idea or anything in your own words from that paragraph.
Synthesize means: when you are only selecting the points from that paragraph if
anything is matched with your research interest.
In a word, students’ literature review help them to
learn about the topic, find the gaps and
limitations in the field of interest, and create new questions for the possible
new research inquiry.
