Chapter 3 - Reading to Understand

Chapter 3 – Master the Literature Review: Find Your Place in the Conversation

Drowning in sources and not sure what to do with them? This chapter helps you cut through the noise and use your reading strategically—so your literature review becomes a launchpad for your argument, not just a summary of what others have said.

Instead of passively collecting information, you’ll learn how to identify patterns, spot gaps, and position your project with clarity and confidence. This chapter walks you through how to read with purpose, take sharper notes, and develop a critical lens that helps your voice stand out.

What’s inside:

• A simple system for mapping key debates in your field
• Tools to evaluate sources and spot what’s missing
• Strategies for reading with your research question in mind
• Prompts to help you move from notes to insight—and insight to argument
  

Why it matters:
A strong literature review shows that you know the landscape—and that your work belongs in it. This chapter helps you build authority early, so you’re not just summarizing the field… you’re entering it.

Perfect for: Students feeling lost in the reading, unsure how to connect sources to their own voice.

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