Writing a review article is an important and rewarding experience, and it can also help to develop your academic writing skills. As such, it is crucial to get the basics right when starting out. Whether you are a new or experienced writer, following the tips below will ensure that you start off on the right foot!
1. Choose a topic that is interesting and relevant to your area of research.
Choosing a topic for your review can be challenging, as you will need to balance the needs of your chosen journal (and, likely, your target audience) with your own personal interests and expertise. As such, it may be useful to ask a colleague or mentor to assist you in this process.
2. Conduct research to determine the scope of your review paper.
Identifying the scope of your review is the most important step in the writing process. This will help you to understand the kind of evidence that you need to include and the type of questions you need to answer.
3. Do your research well and accurately.
A key part of conducting your research is to carefully read through the primary literature on your topic, and then synthesise this into a meaningful narrative that will be relevant to readers. This will also help you to decide which parts of the primary literature are best to discuss in your review, and will enable you to create an accurate overview of the relevant research.
4. Be clear and concise in your writing.
One of the most important aspects of a review is to be clear and concise, and this should be at the forefront of your mind throughout the entire writing process. Avoid using ad hoc language and abbreviations, as these will be difficult to read for non-experts. Instead, use a combination of clear and precise terminology that is easy to understand and will not be overly complicated for your audience.
5. Select a reference list and bibliography that is suitable for your paper.
As with any academic writing, a good reference list and bibliography will help to support your argument in your review. It will also help to ensure that your readers can easily locate the information they need without needing to search for it themselves.
6. Make notes on essential points and claims of the author’s article.
Organizing your thoughts in an outline will make the writing process easier and ensure that you can write a comprehensive review. You should also make notes on the gaps, contradictions and inconsistencies that you find in the article as well as identifying if there is enough data or research to support the author’s claims.
7. Conclusion: It is essential that you end your article with a concluding statement. Your conclusion should summarise your findings and highlight any important implications for future work in your field.
