What is the main purpose of a literature review in academic writing?

The main purpose of a literature review in academic writing is to summarize and synthesize existing research. This involves evaluating and integrating findings from various studies to provide a comprehensive overview of what is known about a specific topic. By doing so, a literature review helps to establish a foundation for new research, outlines gaps in the current understanding, and situates the new study within the existing body of work.

Summarizing involves condensing the key points of existing studies, while synthesizing means combining insights from different sources to create a coherent understanding of the research landscape. This provides readers with context and demonstrates how the new research fits into or contributes to the overall discussion in that field. This important function supports the advancement of knowledge and encourages an informed dialogue around the topic being explored.