How to format a literature review?

In this section, you will find the most commonly used formats in literature reviews, adhering to the latest versions of both APA and MLA styles. These formats are essential for ensuring consistency and professionalism in academic writing. Here are the steps:

Title page

APA: Place the title of your paper centred and bold on the upper half of the page. Center your name below the title. Center your institutional affiliation below your name. Include a running head only on the title page, which is a shortened version of your title (up to 50 characters), in all caps, aligned to the left, with the words “Running head:” preceding it. From the second page onward, include only the shortened title in all caps. Add the page number in the top right corner of every page, including the title page. MLA: a separate title page is typically not required. Instead, on the first page of your paper, include a header in the upper left corner that contains your name, your instructor's name, the course, and the date. Below this header, center the title of your paper using standard capitalization without bold, italics, or underlining. Page numbers, including your last name and the page number, should be included in the upper right corner of every page.

Abstract

APA: Center the word “Abstract” at the top of the page. Write a 150-250 word summary of the key points. MLA: Usually not required.

Introduction

APA: Start with the title of your paper centred and in bold. Introduce your research question and provide background information. MLA: Begin immediately with the introduction. Present the research question and its significance without an additional heading.

Body

APA: Use headings and subheadings to organize content. Cite sources using in-text citations: (Author, Year). MLA: Use section headings to structure the content. Cite sources using parenthetical citations: (Author Page Number). When citing sources within the text, use parenthetical citations that include the author's last name and the page number from which the information was taken, without a comma between them. For example: (Smith 123).

Conclusion

APA: Summarize the main findings, discuss implications, and suggest furthered lines of inquiry. MLA: Provide a summary of the main points and discuss the implications.

References/bibliography

APA: Title the page “References” (centred and bold). List sources alphabetically by the last name of the first author, using a hanging indent. MLA: Title the page “Works Cited” (centred). List sources alphabetically by the first author’s last name, using a hanging indent.