The purpose of a review of the literature is to explain how the question under investigation fits into the larger picture and why the question was approached as it was. Explain what past work has been done on the issue, citing sources as you mention them. Focus on the different ways the various sources treat the subject. Show haw this past work fits together to make your question a logical one to raise, how you will logically enter the ongoing, written conversation about your issue. Note that a review of the literature presents the author s particular synthesis or point of view about previous work.
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