In this discussion topic, we will explore some resources that are designed to help students understand the concept of a literature review. Please browse these resources and then complete the discussion post below.
the article by Ted Zorn and Nittaya Campbell, “Improving the Writing of Literature Reviews through Literature Integration Exercise” — this article is available in the e-reserves section of this class. To access the article, please take the following steps:
click Content
select Class Resources
select eReserves
select the icon for eReserves in the middle of your page.
in the list of items that appears, locate this article and download it.
the tutorial from The University of North Carolina on writing literature reviews. You can find this link in Content/Resources for this week.
the tutorial from UMGC’s Effective Writing Center on writing the literature review. You can find this link in Content/Resources for this week.
Task:
After reviewing the material on the Literature Review posted above, please return to your annotated bibliography, or your last assignment, and begin developing “categories” to help you to organize your sources. Post one category below and list several sources that might fill that category. Remember that some sources may fall into more than one category. Please feel free to post questions or concerns because your instructor wants to help you. Please respond generously to at least two of your fellow classmates. After reading the above information about the Literature Review, please go back to your annotated bibliography or last assignment and start making “categories” to help you organize your sources. Post a category and a few possible sources that fit that category. Keep in mind that some sources may fit into more than one group. Please feel free to post questions or concerns because your teacher wants to help you. Please be kind to at least two of your classmates when you answer.
Please post a response to one or two of your fellow classmates.
Please note that you will not be able to see other students’ responses to this discussion topic until you post your response.
You must start a thread before you can read and reply to other threads
WEEK 5, DISCUSSION 2 — APPLYING THE SPIDER DIAGRAM
You can use a spider diagram to help you to structure your discussion of sources for writing assignments #3 and #4. It can also help you to identify gaps and unanswered questions.
A spider diagram is a visual tool usually used for planning your writing. However, you can also use it for evaluating and thinking about a topic in detail.
To use the spider diagram, please print out your draft of your last assignment. Then place a piece of paper in front of you and complete the tasks listed below.
For more information on the Spider Diagram, please visit the link in the Resources to Review at the top of this week’s Content, Spider Diagrams.
Task :
Write your topic or title in the center of a piece of paper. Draw a circle around it.
Draw a “leg” from the central “body” of your topic towards the top right hand corner of the page. Label this “leg” with the first topic/category that you dealt with in your last assignment.
Add more legs moving clockwise around the page until all the sections have been included, with the final one being somewhere near the top left of the page.
Now divide each “leg” up into smaller “legs” with all the points that you made in each section. (Again work clockwise from the top left so that the sequence of ideas is maintained).
Finally, please be sure that one section is devoted to identifying any gaps or niches in the research on your topic that you’ve discovered so far. For example, a lack of longterm studies on veterans with PTSD or studies on female video game players.
You may have to redraw your spider diagram several times until you find a structure that works for you. However, the result should help you decide the best categories for your essay–as well as what’s missing. Please post your spider diagram below.
Respond to this discussion topic with one paragraph describing how this task might have helped you or why it did not help you in organizing your thoughts for WA#2 or WA#3.
Please note that you will not be able to see other students’ responses to this discussion topic until you post your response.
You must start a thread before you can read and reply to other threads
