How to Really Write Your Literature Review: A Workshop for You

 A Blog for the New Academic Year 2025-2026

It can easily happen when we’re new to this whole business of enquiry. Maybe you’re a PhD candidate or a professional moving from practice into research. You’re committed, passionate about your subject, and excited about making a contribution to knowledge. You’ve got a rock-star question and an outline of your methods. But you've hit a snag. Your literature review. 

You have a gigantic pile of studies stacked around your desk -- or a file full to bursting on your computer, depending on how you prefer to do these things. You’ve done the recommended reading in the how-to books, sat through the self-study tutorials, and followed the easy-step guides. It’s still not entirely clear from all this what you are expected to do, exactly, but you give it your best shot. 

"You love your research. You can’t wait to dig in. But you’ve hit a snag. Your literature review."

You sink months into a draft -- frustrating, hair-tearing, pen-chewing months. Surely, that will do the trick. But the feedback when it comes is like a punch in the stomach: Too descriptive. Critically evaluate the studies. Link them together. Don’t summarise, synthesise. You sink into your chair and randomly thumb the pages. Link the studies? Synthesise? What does that even mean?! 

 

How to Really Write Your Literature: A Workshop to Keep You on Track 

Here at Writing Works Consulting, I understand the challenges you face as a new researcher. I’ve been there. There is plenty of advice on what to do, but very little on how. That’s why I’m delighted to announce that my workshop How to Really Write Your Literature Review – for new researchers just like you – is now available to take online. 

 “If you find this blog helpful, you can now get even more great advice in my workshop How to Really Write Your Literature Review.”

In this workshop, I cut through all the confusion and show you what you really need to know to write your literature review. You’ll learn how to: 

• Break out of the description trap 
• Turn a pile of notes into a case for your research question 
• Move from critiquing single studies to analysing a body of scholarship 
• Identify patterns and trends in previous research (spotting that mysterious ‘gap’) 
• Use these patterns and trends as evidence in your argument 
• Organise and rhetorically craft your review 

 “Susan’s workshop was just what I needed.” – Jane Pickthall 

Spaces are Limited So Book Your Place Now

Don’t let frustration derail your dissertation. Book your place now and keep your PhD on track with How to Really Write Your Literature Review. 

• Date:14 October 2025 
• Time: 5:00-8:00, BST 
• Where: On-line via Zoom 
• Cost: £85 per person 
•  Register: Via Eventbrite ⬇️

 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-to-really-write-your-literature-review-tickets-1692672040639

 Lasting Value 

 For the price of the workshop, you also get a bundle of freebies to support you as you put what you've learned into practice. 

• Access to up to 3 Zoom drop-in sessions with me for follow-up questions. 
• A PDF with answers to FAQs, such as 'How do I know when I’m finished?' 
• A learners’ pack outlining the techniques introduced for future reference. 

➡️ Know anyone else who might be interested? Please share this blog to your network. 

Your Workshop Deliverer and Blog Author

Dr Susan Mandala is founding director of Writing Works Consulting. She holds a PhD from the University of Cambridge and was for many years an academic at the University of Sunderland, where one of her favourite roles was training PhD candidates to write literature reviews. A specialist in the study of language, writing, and style, she has 30 years’ experience as a teacher, trainer, and workshop facilitator.

 “The approachable, informal delivery meant that we moved from basic concepts to tackling review ourselves without a bump in the road, and Susan was constantly guiding and provoking the group to take us further.” – Iain Rowan