Free Literature Review Templates (Word)
Research
by vicentesanchez
Pulling together what's already been published on a topic is the backbone of solid research, and a literature review organizes those sources into a coherent argument. This collection of 52 templates helps students and researchers structure a review in APA and other styles, from a short summary to a full chapter with themes and gaps.
Each template is editable in Microsoft Word, so you can drop in citations, group studies by theme, and keep your formatting consistent. Use the headings as prompts and replace the placeholder text with your own analysis. There's nothing to buy and no formatting to fight. Download the structure that fits your assignment and start writing.
When to use this Literature Review template
- A graduate student synthesizing 20 studies on climate change mitigation for a thesis chapter draft needs a structured template to identify recurring themes and research gaps.
- An academic researcher writing a grant proposal requires a concise but rigorous literature review to justify their methodology and fill a niche in medical imaging software.
- An undergrad writing a 1,000-word essay on gender representation in sci-fi films wants a streamlined template to organize plot summaries and critical analysis without reinventing the framework.
- A public health analyst preparing a literature review for a community health report needs a template that balances APA style with readability for non-expert audiences.
Which format should I download?
Microsoft Word is the only format here, and it’s ideal for this collection. Word’s flexibility lets you adjust margins, font sizes, and spacing to fit academic guidelines (like APA’s 12pt Times New Roman) while allowing easy citation integration. Avoid other formats unless your institution requires PDFs or Google Docs for collaboration, as these templates prioritize editable formatting for citation managers and peer review.
Choose from 52 Literature Review Templates
How to use this Literature Review template
How do I decide between an ‘Examples of Literature Reviews’ template and a ‘Systematic Literature Review’ template?
Use the ‘Examples’ template if you’re summarizing existing literature for a short assignment or report where a narrative overview suffices. Opt for the ‘Systematic’ template when conducting rigorous research, like a dissertation or grant, where you must methodically evaluate studies using predefined criteria (e.g., publication dates, study designs). The latter includes space for protocols and bias assessments.
Can I use these templates for a literature review that isn’t in APA style?
Yes, but you’ll need to manually adjust headings, citation formats, and reference lists to match your required style (e.g., MLA, Chicago). These templates are APA-centric, so non-APA users should start with the ‘Literature Review Template’ and replace placeholders like ‘(Author, Year)’ with your style’s conventions. For non-academic reviews (e.g., corporate or policy documents), simplify the structure but retain the thematic organization.
What’s the difference between a ‘Literature Review Template’ and an ‘Example of Literature Review APA’?
The ‘Literature Review Template’ is a blank framework with labeled sections (e.g., ‘Theoretical Background,’ ‘Gaps in Research’) for you to fill in. The ‘Example of Literature Review APA’ is a fully written sample showing how sources are cited, paraphrased, and synthesized in APA style. Use the template if you’re starting from scratch; use the example if you’re stuck on phrasing, transitions, or how to integrate quotes. Pair them for clarity.
Comments
Join the conversation
Sign in to share your thoughts and leave a comment on this resource.