Writing a Literature Review: An Essential Component of Critical Thinking

Abstract

This teaching note describes how using the requirement of a literature review helped students become critical thinkers. Literature reviews, as assignments, are often difficult for students because of the need for intense writing, analysis, and evaluation. As part of a larger assignment, students read 7 to 10 research articles and discussed them in class. The students were then assigned the task of writing their own literature reviews using the same research articles. The authors explain how using the practice of critical reading and critical writing helped students engage their review of the literature with a critical thinking mindset.