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4 Simple Tips to Get an A* in Your Law A-Level

A-level law is certainly a very interesting subject to study since it enables you to widen your knowledge on various roles the legal sector has to offer, as well as how laws are made in the English legal system – including specifics of many cases.  It is a subject that encourages you to approach a new style of thinking by applying your legal knowledge to problem questions or scenarios to explain the likely outcome of a case.

However, it ’s no surprise that it can surely seem daunting at times, so here are four simple tips to ace your exams!

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  Tip #1: Finish (and Learn) Your Notes Early On

The general rule is little and often so if you can help it, definitely do not make the mistake of leaving all your challenging material to learn towards the very end of your second year – there’s nothing worse than missing the grades you want while knowing you could have helped it!

Make sure you understand all of the content and the cases that you learn at the end of each lesson or at the very least, at the end of each unit. Try to make your revision notes as you go throughout the year, with the aim of having less note-making and more time for revision towards exam season – which leads onto my point about effective revision.

Revision is most effective when you are revisiting your material over a longer period of time in an area with no surrounding distractions. In terms of law, it is no surprise that the A-level requires a large amount information to be remembered accurately.

Therefore, you should find the learning style that suits you best – whether that is make both detailed and summarised posters for each section or unit you study or using flash cards to remember key cases.

Tip #2: Be Proactive and Organised

To succeed in your law A-level, you need to be proactive in the lesson – if you don’t fully understand a particular aspect, ask the teacher to help you straight away. Never leave a lesson thinking ‘what was that about’ or ‘I’ll learn this later’ – get to the bottom of your questions in the lesson. By doing this, you are reducing both your workload and stress when it comes to the exam period.

Additionally, with a demanding essay-based subject such as law, organising your time to do past papers is a must. Unlike many other subjects, you can essentially guess the possible questions that will come up on your exam as they are very similar every year.

So master the past papers under timed conditions and you will be well prepared. Always make a short plan before starting your essay and consider potential points based around the argument – instead of a description of what happened.

Tip #3: Memorise a Good Essay Structure

There are many great ways to structure your legal essay to impress your examiner and get the top marks. Here are only a couple examples of effective structures:

CLEO Method:

C – Claim: Identify the particular issue relating to the facts;

L – Law: Present the specific law relevant to the issue;

E – Evaluate: Apply the law from the previous step to the facts or claims;

O – Outcome: Summarise and conclude by justifying the various points you have made.

This can be applied both at a paragraph level with a larger conclusion at the end, or in the essay as a whole.

For problem questions, it is vital that you know the law. Granted that you discuss the relevant law applicable to the scenario, you should apply the law to the facts with reference to the cases. A structure that works here is the:

IRAC Method:

I – Issue: Identify the problem;

R – Rule: Set out the legal principles that can be used to address or solve the problem;

A – Application: A detailed explanation of whether the claims can be justified and take time to infer the possible less-obvious aspects of the case;

C – Conclusion: Take on the role of a judge and use a persuasive explanation as to why the argument you accept as correct is the strongest.

Tip #4: Use Any Available Revision Resources

This is perhaps the easiest key to success since there are many ways you can improve your grade by simply using revision resources. An obvious example of this is using mark schemes of past or practise papers to see the type of answers achieving top-band marks.

Similarly, reading model answers from a revision guide or law textbook is also very beneficial.

Furthermore, a great revision resource is using websites that are specifically targeted to A-level law revision. Some examples are listed below:

• Revision World
• D.Hussain Publications
• Hodder Plus 

By using these simple tips to your advantage, you can most certainly get that A* which you want and deserve. Good luck!

Published: 07/03/18     Author: Tvara Shah

• A-level Exam Help: How I Went From a C to an A*
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How to Write a Law Essay

Last Updated: August 11, 2023

This article was co-authored by Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD . Clinton M. Sandvick worked as a civil litigator in California for over 7 years. He received his JD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1998 and his PhD in American History from the University of Oregon in 2013. This article has been viewed 239,750 times.

In a college legal studies course, and in some law school courses, you may be required to write a research paper addressing a legal topic. These essays can be tricky, because the law is constantly evolving. To secure a top grade, your essay must be well-researched and coherently argued. With proper planning and research, you can write a stellar legal essay. [Note: this article does not address how to write law school essay exams or bar exam questions, which require different techniques and strategies.]

Choosing an Essay Topic

• A narrow essay prompt might read, "Discuss the evolution and impact of the exclusionary rule of evidence in the United States." A broad prompt might read, "Discuss how a civil rights movement led to changes in federal and/or state law."
• If you are invited to choose your own topic, your professor may require you to submit a written proposal or outline to ensure that your chosen topic complies with the prompt. If you are not sure if your topic is within the parameters of the prompt, propose your topic to your professor after class or during his or her office hours.

• Hopefully, your course readings, lectures, and class discussions will have given you enough background knowledge to select a topic. If not, review your class notes and browse online for additional background information.
• It is not uncommon to change your topic after doing some research. You may end up narrowing the questions your essay will answer, or changing your topic completely.

• If you can, try to focus on an are of the law that affects you. For example, if your family is involved in agriculture, you may be interested in writing about water use regulations .

Researching Your Topic

• If you are prohibited from citing internet resources, you can still use online research to guide you to physical primary and secondary sources in your local library or bookstore.

• Look at footnotes, citations, and indexes in tertiary sources. These are great for finding books, articles, and legal cases that are relevant to your topic. Also take note of the names of authors, who may have written multiple works on your topic.

• Also find search engines for related fields, such as history or political science. Ask your librarian to recommend specialized search engines tailored to other disciplines that may have contributed to your topic.

• Never cut and paste from the web into your notes or essay. This often leads to inadvertent plagiarism because students forget what is a quotation and what is paraphrasing. When gathering sources, paraphrase or add quotation marks in your outline.
• Plagiarism is a serious offense. If you ultimately hope to be a lawyer, an accusation of plagiarism could prevent you from passing the character and fitness review.

Drafting the Essay

• An effective introduction takes the reader out of his world and into the world of your essay. [2] X Trustworthy Source University of North Carolina Writing Center UNC's on-campus and online instructional service that provides assistance to students, faculty, and others during the writing process Go to source Explain why the subject is important and briefly summarizes the rest of your argument. After reading your introduction, your reader should know what you are going to discuss and in what order you will be discussing it.
• Be prepared to revise your introduction later. Summarizing your essay will be easier after you have written it, especially if you deviate from your outline.

• State each argument of your essay as a statement that, if true, would support your thesis statement.
• Provide supporting information drawn from primary and secondary sources that support your argument. Remember to cite your sources.
• Provide your own original analysis, explaining to the reader that based on the primary and secondary sources you have presented, the reader should be persuaded by your argument.

Formatting Your Essay

Proofreading the Essay

• Open up a Word document. On the Quick Access Toolbar at the top, click on the down arrow. The words “Customize Quick Access Toolbar” will appear when you hover over the arrow for two seconds.
• Click on the arrow. Then click on “More Commands.”
• In the “Choose commands from” drop-down box, choose “All commands.”
• Scroll down to find “Speak.” Highlight this and then click “add.” Then click “okay.” Now the Speak function should appear on your Quick Access Toolbar.
• Highlight the text you want read back to you, and then click on the Speak icon. The text will be read back to you.

• Do not rely on a spell checker exclusively, as it will not catch typos like "statute" versus "statue."

Revising the Essay

• You can share the essay with someone outside of class, but a classmate more likely has the requisite knowledge to understand the subject matter of the essay.

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• ↑ https://owl.english.purdue.edu/engagement/2/2/53/
• ↑ http://writingcenter.unc.edu/handouts/introductions/
• ↑ https://www.legalbluebook.com/
• ↑ https://support.office.com/en-ca/article/Using-the-Speak-text-to-speech-feature-459e7704-a76d-4fe2-ab48-189d6b83333c

About This Article

To write a law essay, start by writing a thesis statement on your chosen topic. Phrase your thesis statement as an argument, using words like “because” or “therefore” to state your point. Write an outline of the arguments you will use to support your thesis statement, then use that outline to build the body of your paper. Include any counter-arguments, but use your evidence to convince the reader why your point of view is valid, and the counter-arguments are not. Be sure to cite all of your sources in the format preferred by your professor. For tips from our reviewer on finding the best sources for your topic, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Write Compelling Law Essays?

Writing a law essay can be a daunting task, but with the right approach, you can write a compelling and persuasive essay that can earn you top marks. In this blog, we'll provide a step-by-step guide on how to write a law essay to impress your professors.

Step 1: Understand the question

Read and understand the question carefully. Analyse what is being asked, identify the key terms and issues, and make a plan for how you will approach the topic.

Step 2: Research

Conduct extensive research on the topic. Use a variety of sources including textbooks, case law, journal articles, and legislation. Take detailed notes and organise your research material to help you with the writing process.

Step 3: Plan your essay

Create an essay plan that outlines the structure of your essay. Decide on the main points you want to make and the evidence you will use to support them. Ensure that you have a clear introduction, body, and conclusion.

Step 4: Write the introduction

Start your essay with a clear and concise introduction that outlines the main issues and provides a thesis statement. This should be brief and to the point.

Step 5: Write the main body

The main body of your essay should consist of a series of paragraphs that develop your arguments and provide evidence to support your claims. Each paragraph should have a clear topic sentence and provide evidence to support it.

Step 6: Use proper citations

Use proper citations to give credit to your sources and to avoid plagiarism. Make sure to follow the citation style required by your professor or institution.

Step 7: Write the conclusion

Conclude your essay by summarising your key points and restating your thesis. Your conclusion should be concise and provide a clear and convincing final argument.

Step 8: Edit and proofread

Review your essay to ensure that it is well-written and error-free. Check for spelling and grammar mistakes, as well as inconsistencies and formatting errors. Make any necessary changes to ensure that your essay is of the highest quality.

If you follow these steps, you should be able to write a well-structured and coherent law essay that effectively argues your position on the given topic.

You are recommend to study our highly-acclaimed Law Exam Skills to prepare for law exams.

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A-Level Law

Our A-Level Law revision notes are broken down into topics so that you can easily pinpoint areas you want to focus on. Through clear descriptions and diagrams, they clearly explain even the hardest of concepts and you can use them alongside other revision resources to create your own notes.

What is the difference between civil and criminal law?

Explain the different types of judicial precedent., how can i revise for a-level law exams effectively.

Start by creating a comprehensive study schedule that allocates specific time to each subject area, such as contract law, criminal law, and tort law. Use revision guides and textbooks to summarize key principles and cases. Use past exam papers to practice applying legal principles and honing your problem-solving skills. You could also consider forming or joining study groups to discuss and debate legal issues.

How should I approach the essay-based questions in A-Level Law exams to ensure clarity and depth in my responses?

Start your essay with a clear introduction, outlining your argument or thesis. Use IRAC (Issue, Rule, Application, Conclusion) or CREAC (Conclusion, Rule, Explanation, Application, Conclusion) structures to organize your answers, ensuring you address the issue, cite relevant legal rules, apply them to the facts, and conclude with a succinct summary. Refer to key cases and legal principles to support your arguments. Practice essay writing under timed conditions to enhance your time management skills and ensure your responses are concise and focused.

What is the best approach for revising complex legal cases and statutes in preparation for the A-Level Law exams?

Focus on understanding the legal reasoning behind landmark cases. Analyze dissenting opinions to grasp different viewpoints. Create case summary cards, outlining the facts, issues, decisions, and reasoning. For statutes, break down complex sections into manageable parts and create flowcharts or diagrams illustrating the elements of offences or legal procedures. Apply these laws to hypothetical scenarios, practicing how to apply statutes to real-world situations. Regularly review and quiz yourself on cases and statutes to reinforce your memory.

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How to Write an Essay Introduction (with Examples)   

The introduction of an essay plays a critical role in engaging the reader and providing contextual information about the topic. It sets the stage for the rest of the essay, establishes the tone and style, and motivates the reader to continue reading. 

Table of Contents

What is an essay introduction , what to include in an essay introduction, how to create an essay structure , step-by-step process for writing an essay introduction , how to write an introduction paragraph , how to write a hook for your essay , how to include background information , how to write a thesis statement .

• Argumentative Essay Introduction Example: 
• Expository Essay Introduction Example 

Literary Analysis Essay Introduction Example

Check and revise – checklist for essay introduction , key takeaways , frequently asked questions .

An introduction is the opening section of an essay, paper, or other written work. It introduces the topic and provides background information, context, and an overview of what the reader can expect from the rest of the work. 1 The key is to be concise and to the point, providing enough information to engage the reader without delving into excessive detail. 

The essay introduction is crucial as it sets the tone for the entire piece and provides the reader with a roadmap of what to expect. Here are key elements to include in your essay introduction: 

• Hook : Start with an attention-grabbing statement or question to engage the reader. This could be a surprising fact, a relevant quote, or a compelling anecdote. 
• Background information : Provide context and background information to help the reader understand the topic. This can include historical information, definitions of key terms, or an overview of the current state of affairs related to your topic. 
• Thesis statement : Clearly state your main argument or position on the topic. Your thesis should be concise and specific, providing a clear direction for your essay. 

Before we get into how to write an essay introduction, we need to know how it is structured. The structure of an essay is crucial for organizing your thoughts and presenting them clearly and logically. It is divided as follows: 2  

• Introduction:  The introduction should grab the reader’s attention with a hook, provide context, and include a thesis statement that presents the main argument or purpose of the essay.  
• Body:  The body should consist of focused paragraphs that support your thesis statement using evidence and analysis. Each paragraph should concentrate on a single central idea or argument and provide evidence, examples, or analysis to back it up.  
• Conclusion:  The conclusion should summarize the main points and restate the thesis differently. End with a final statement that leaves a lasting impression on the reader. Avoid new information or arguments. 

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to write an essay introduction: 

• Start with a Hook : Begin your introduction paragraph with an attention-grabbing statement, question, quote, or anecdote related to your topic. The hook should pique the reader’s interest and encourage them to continue reading. 
• Provide Background Information : This helps the reader understand the relevance and importance of the topic. 
• State Your Thesis Statement : The last sentence is the main argument or point of your essay. It should be clear, concise, and directly address the topic of your essay. 
• Preview the Main Points : This gives the reader an idea of what to expect and how you will support your thesis. 
• Keep it Concise and Clear : Avoid going into too much detail or including information not directly relevant to your topic. 
• Revise : Revise your introduction after you’ve written the rest of your essay to ensure it aligns with your final argument. 

Here’s an example of an essay introduction paragraph about the importance of education: 

Education is often viewed as a fundamental human right and a key social and economic development driver. As Nelson Mandela once famously said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” It is the key to unlocking a wide range of opportunities and benefits for individuals, societies, and nations. In today’s constantly evolving world, education has become even more critical. It has expanded beyond traditional classroom learning to include digital and remote learning, making education more accessible and convenient. This essay will delve into the importance of education in empowering individuals to achieve their dreams, improving societies by promoting social justice and equality, and driving economic growth by developing a skilled workforce and promoting innovation. 

This introduction paragraph example includes a hook (the quote by Nelson Mandela), provides some background information on education, and states the thesis statement (the importance of education). 

This is one of the key steps in how to write an essay introduction. Crafting a compelling hook is vital because it sets the tone for your entire essay and determines whether your readers will stay interested. A good hook draws the reader in and sets the stage for the rest of your essay.  

• Avoid Dry Fact : Instead of simply stating a bland fact, try to make it engaging and relevant to your topic. For example, if you’re writing about the benefits of exercise, you could start with a startling statistic like, “Did you know that regular exercise can increase your lifespan by up to seven years?” 
• Avoid Using a Dictionary Definition : While definitions can be informative, they’re not always the most captivating way to start an essay. Instead, try to use a quote, anecdote, or provocative question to pique the reader’s interest. For instance, if you’re writing about freedom, you could begin with a quote from a famous freedom fighter or philosopher. 
• Do Not Just State a Fact That the Reader Already Knows : This ties back to the first point—your hook should surprise or intrigue the reader. For Here’s an introduction paragraph example, if you’re writing about climate change, you could start with a thought-provoking statement like, “Despite overwhelming evidence, many people still refuse to believe in the reality of climate change.” 

Including background information in the introduction section of your essay is important to provide context and establish the relevance of your topic. When writing the background information, you can follow these steps: 

• Start with a General Statement:  Begin with a general statement about the topic and gradually narrow it down to your specific focus. For example, when discussing the impact of social media, you can begin by making a broad statement about social media and its widespread use in today’s society, as follows: “Social media has become an integral part of modern life, with billions of users worldwide.” 
• Define Key Terms : Define any key terms or concepts that may be unfamiliar to your readers but are essential for understanding your argument. 
• Provide Relevant Statistics:  Use statistics or facts to highlight the significance of the issue you’re discussing. For instance, “According to a report by Statista, the number of social media users is expected to reach 4.41 billion by 2025.” 
• Discuss the Evolution:  Mention previous research or studies that have been conducted on the topic, especially those that are relevant to your argument. Mention key milestones or developments that have shaped its current impact. You can also outline some of the major effects of social media. For example, you can briefly describe how social media has evolved, including positives such as increased connectivity and issues like cyberbullying and privacy concerns. 
• Transition to Your Thesis:  Use the background information to lead into your thesis statement, which should clearly state the main argument or purpose of your essay. For example, “Given its pervasive influence, it is crucial to examine the impact of social media on mental health.” 

A thesis statement is a concise summary of the main point or claim of an essay, research paper, or other type of academic writing. It appears near the end of the introduction. Here’s how to write a thesis statement: 

• Identify the topic:  Start by identifying the topic of your essay. For example, if your essay is about the importance of exercise for overall health, your topic is “exercise.” 
• State your position:  Next, state your position or claim about the topic. This is the main argument or point you want to make. For example, if you believe that regular exercise is crucial for maintaining good health, your position could be: “Regular exercise is essential for maintaining good health.” 
• Support your position:  Provide a brief overview of the reasons or evidence that support your position. These will be the main points of your essay. For example, if you’re writing an essay about the importance of exercise, you could mention the physical health benefits, mental health benefits, and the role of exercise in disease prevention. 
• Make it specific:  Ensure your thesis statement clearly states what you will discuss in your essay. For example, instead of saying, “Exercise is good for you,” you could say, “Regular exercise, including cardiovascular and strength training, can improve overall health and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.” 

Examples of essay introduction 

Here are examples of essay introductions for different types of essays: 

Argumentative Essay Introduction Example:  

Topic: Should the voting age be lowered to 16? 

“The question of whether the voting age should be lowered to 16 has sparked nationwide debate. While some argue that 16-year-olds lack the requisite maturity and knowledge to make informed decisions, others argue that doing so would imbue young people with agency and give them a voice in shaping their future.” 

Expository Essay Introduction Example  

Topic: The benefits of regular exercise 

“In today’s fast-paced world, the importance of regular exercise cannot be overstated. From improving physical health to boosting mental well-being, the benefits of exercise are numerous and far-reaching. This essay will examine the various advantages of regular exercise and provide tips on incorporating it into your daily routine.” 

Text: “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee 

“Harper Lee’s novel, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ is a timeless classic that explores themes of racism, injustice, and morality in the American South. Through the eyes of young Scout Finch, the reader is taken on a journey that challenges societal norms and forces characters to confront their prejudices. This essay will analyze the novel’s use of symbolism, character development, and narrative structure to uncover its deeper meaning and relevance to contemporary society.” 

• Engaging and Relevant First Sentence : The opening sentence captures the reader’s attention and relates directly to the topic. 
• Background Information : Enough background information is introduced to provide context for the thesis statement. 
• Definition of Important Terms : Key terms or concepts that might be unfamiliar to the audience or are central to the argument are defined. 
• Clear Thesis Statement : The thesis statement presents the main point or argument of the essay. 
• Relevance to Main Body : Everything in the introduction directly relates to and sets up the discussion in the main body of the essay. 

Writing a strong introduction is crucial for setting the tone and context of your essay. Here are the key takeaways for how to write essay introduction: 3  

• Hook the Reader : Start with an engaging hook to grab the reader’s attention. This could be a compelling question, a surprising fact, a relevant quote, or an anecdote. 
• Provide Background : Give a brief overview of the topic, setting the context and stage for the discussion. 
• Thesis Statement : State your thesis, which is the main argument or point of your essay. It should be concise, clear, and specific. 
• Preview the Structure : Outline the main points or arguments to help the reader understand the organization of your essay. 
• Keep it Concise : Avoid including unnecessary details or information not directly related to your thesis. 
• Revise and Edit : Revise your introduction to ensure clarity, coherence, and relevance. Check for grammar and spelling errors. 
• Seek Feedback : Get feedback from peers or instructors to improve your introduction further. 

The purpose of an essay introduction is to give an overview of the topic, context, and main ideas of the essay. It is meant to engage the reader, establish the tone for the rest of the essay, and introduce the thesis statement or central argument.  

An essay introduction typically ranges from 5-10% of the total word count. For example, in a 1,000-word essay, the introduction would be roughly 50-100 words. However, the length can vary depending on the complexity of the topic and the overall length of the essay.

An essay introduction is critical in engaging the reader and providing contextual information about the topic. To ensure its effectiveness, consider incorporating these key elements: a compelling hook, background information, a clear thesis statement, an outline of the essay’s scope, a smooth transition to the body, and optional signposting sentences.  

The process of writing an essay introduction is not necessarily straightforward, but there are several strategies that can be employed to achieve this end. When experiencing difficulty initiating the process, consider the following techniques: begin with an anecdote, a quotation, an image, a question, or a startling fact to pique the reader’s interest. It may also be helpful to consider the five W’s of journalism: who, what, when, where, why, and how.   For instance, an anecdotal opening could be structured as follows: “As I ascended the stage, momentarily blinded by the intense lights, I could sense the weight of a hundred eyes upon me, anticipating my next move. The topic of discussion was climate change, a subject I was passionate about, and it was my first public speaking event. Little did I know , that pivotal moment would not only alter my perspective but also chart my life’s course.” 

Crafting a compelling thesis statement for your introduction paragraph is crucial to grab your reader’s attention. To achieve this, avoid using overused phrases such as “In this paper, I will write about” or “I will focus on” as they lack originality. Instead, strive to engage your reader by substantiating your stance or proposition with a “so what” clause. While writing your thesis statement, aim to be precise, succinct, and clear in conveying your main argument.  

To create an effective essay introduction, ensure it is clear, engaging, relevant, and contains a concise thesis statement. It should transition smoothly into the essay and be long enough to cover necessary points but not become overwhelming. Seek feedback from peers or instructors to assess its effectiveness. 

References  

• Cui, L. (2022). Unit 6 Essay Introduction.  Building Academic Writing Skills . 
• West, H., Malcolm, G., Keywood, S., & Hill, J. (2019). Writing a successful essay.  Journal of Geography in Higher Education ,  43 (4), 609-617. 
• Beavers, M. E., Thoune, D. L., & McBeth, M. (2023). Bibliographic Essay: Reading, Researching, Teaching, and Writing with Hooks: A Queer Literacy Sponsorship. College English, 85(3), 230-242. 

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Literature review

A general guide on how to conduct and write a literature review.

Please check course or programme information and materials provided by teaching staff, including your project supervisor, for subject-specific guidance.

What is a literature review?

A literature review is a piece of academic writing demonstrating knowledge and understanding of the academic literature on a specific topic placed in context.  A literature review also includes a critical evaluation of the material; this is why it is called a literature review rather than a literature report. It is a process of reviewing the literature, as well as a form of writing.

To illustrate the difference between reporting and reviewing, think about television or film review articles.  These articles include content such as a brief synopsis or the key points of the film or programme plus the critic’s own evaluation.  Similarly the two main objectives of a literature review are firstly the content covering existing research, theories and evidence, and secondly your own critical evaluation and discussion of this content. 

Usually a literature review forms a section or part of a dissertation, research project or long essay.  However, it can also be set and assessed as a standalone piece of work.

What is the purpose of a literature review?

…your task is to build an argument, not a library. Rudestam, K.E. and Newton, R.R. (1992) Surviving your dissertation: A comprehensive guide to content and process. California: Sage, p49.

In a larger piece of written work, such as a dissertation or project, a literature review is usually one of the first tasks carried out after deciding on a topic.  Reading combined with critical analysis can help to refine a topic and frame research questions.  Conducting a literature review establishes your familiarity with and understanding of current research in a particular field before carrying out a new investigation. After doing a literature review, you should know what research has already been done and be able to identify what is unknown within your topic.

When doing and writing a literature review, it is good practice to:

• summarise and analyse previous research and theories;
• identify areas of controversy and contested claims;
• highlight any gaps that may exist in research to date.

Conducting a literature review

Focusing on different aspects of your literature review can be useful to help plan, develop, refine and write it.  You can use and adapt the prompt questions in our worksheet below at different points in the process of researching and writing your review.  These are suggestions to get you thinking and writing.

Developing and refining your literature review (pdf)

Developing and refining your literature review (Word)

Developing and refining your literature review (Word rtf)

Writing a literature review has a lot in common with other assignment tasks.  There is advice on our other pages about thinking critically, reading strategies and academic writing.  Our literature review top tips suggest some specific things you can do to help you submit a successful review.

Literature review top tips (pdf)

Literature review top tips (Word rtf)

Our reading page includes strategies and advice on using books and articles and a notes record sheet grid you can use.

Reading at university

The Academic writing page suggests ways to organise and structure information from a range of sources and how you can develop your argument as you read and write.

Academic writing

The Critical thinking page has advice on how to be a more critical researcher and a form you can use to help you think and break down the stages of developing your argument.

Critical thinking

As with other forms of academic writing, your literature review needs to demonstrate good academic practice by following the Code of Student Conduct and acknowledging the work of others through citing and referencing your sources.  

Good academic practice

As with any writing task, you will need to review, edit and rewrite sections of your literature review.  The Editing and proofreading page includes tips on how to do this and strategies for standing back and thinking about your structure and checking the flow of your argument.

Editing and proofreading

Guidance on literature searching from the University Library

The Academic Support Librarians have developed LibSmart I and II, Learn courses to help you develop and enhance your digital research skills and capabilities; from getting started with the Library to managing data for your dissertation.

Searching using the library’s DiscoverEd tool: DiscoverEd

Finding resources in your subject: Subject guides

The Academic Support Librarians also provide one-to-one appointments to help you develop your research strategies.

1 to 1 support for literature searching and systematic reviews

Advice to help you optimise use of Google Scholar, Google Books and Google for your research and study: Using Google

Managing and curating your references

A referencing management tool can help you to collect and organise and your source material to produce a bibliography or reference list. 

Referencing and reference management

Information Services provide access to Cite them right online which is a guide to the main referencing systems and tells you how to reference just about any source (EASE log-in may be required).

Cite them right

Published study guides

There are a number of scholarship skills books and guides available which can help with writing a literature review.  Our Resource List of study skills guides includes sections on Referencing, Dissertation and project writing and Literature reviews.

Study skills guides

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March 20, 2024 | Shawn Kornegay - Neag School of Education

Connecticut’s 2024 Letters About Literature Contest Winners Named

UConn's Neag School of Education, Department of English, and Connecticut Writing Project, co-sponsors of the 31st annual Letters About Literature contest, are proud to announce Connecticut’s winners for the 2023-24 academic year.

Doug Kaufman, left, congratulates a winner from the Letters About Literature contest in 2023; Jason Courtmanche is pictured in the background. (Shawn Kornegay/Neag School)

UConn’s Neag School of Education , Department of English , and Connecticut Writing Project (CWP) , co-sponsors of the 31st annual Letters About Literature contest, are proud to announce Connecticut’s winners for the 2023-24 academic year.

Each year, students in grades four through 12 are invited to read a text, broadly defined, and write a letter to the author (living or dead) about how the text affected them personally. Submissions are grouped according to grade level (grades four to six; grades seven and eight; and grades nine to 12).

All submissions were read and scored by Neag School alumni teacher-volunteers. Of the 878 submissions from Connecticut students this year, there were 526 students who received honorable mentions. Each Letters About Literature semi-finalist and honorable mention recipient received a letter of recognition.

A second set of judges, all pre-service teachers, then read and scored the 91 semi-finalists — twice for each submission — and selected a total of nine winners, three per grade level. Then one student per grade level was named Top Prize. Each of the nine winners will receive a gift card: the three Top Prize winners get $200 each and the six others get $100 each. The winning recipients will be recognized at a ceremony later in the spring.

Neag School associate professor Doug Kaufman , CWP director Jason Courtmanche , and Department of English Ph.D. candidate Margaret McFarlane served as the contest’s representatives for the state of Connecticut.

Letters About Literature Finalists for the State of Connecticut

The following are the contest finalists, listed with their respective school’s and teacher’s names, as well as the work of literature that is the focus of their essay, with access to their winning submissions in PDF format.

Level I (Grades 4-6)

• Top Prize Winner: Erioluwa Shokunbi , John Ferrero, Macdonough Elementary (Middletown), Gone by Michael Grant
• Winner: Ema He , Lucinda Kulvinskas, King Phillip Middle School (West Hartford), The Wild Robot Protects by Peter Brown
• Winner: Ria Shenoy , Ximena Franco-Bao, West Woods Upper Elementary School (Farmington), Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Level II (Grades 7-8)

• Top Prize Winner: Emma Allen, Kristin Liu, The Country School (Madison), Instructions Before Dancing by Nicola Yoon
• Winner: Ella Yu, Jessica Kerelejza, King Phillip Middle School (West Hartford), Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
• Winner: Ava Hill, Sara Tamborello, Segwick Middle School (West Hartford), The Wish by Nicholas Spark

Level III (Grades 9-12)

• Top Prize Winner: Brian Park, Lennoz Debra, Hotchkiss School (Salisbury), Theme for English B by Langston Hughes
• Winner: Noah Tork, Lucy Abott, Notre Dame (West Haven), Night by Ellie Wiesel
• Winner: Emerson Smith , Katherine Gabbay, Ridgefield High School (Ridgefield), The Virgin Suicides by Jefrey Eugenides

Letters About Literature Contest Judges

Alumni, students, and friends of the Neag School of Education and the University of Connecticut judged the Letters About Literature contest submissions this past fall. The judges selected semi-finalists at each of the three competition levels. Thank you to the first-round contest judges:

• Sarah Abbey
• Lea Attanasio
• Leah Baranauskas
• Sian Charles-Harris
• Celina DaSilva
• Caitlin Davidson
• Mirelinda Dema
• Kristina Dukette
• Hayley Gomez
• Migdalia Gonsalves
• Denise Grant
• Katie Grant
• Jill Kneisl
• Lindsay Larsen
• Lindsey Le-Gervais
• Laura Milligan
• Melissa Oberlander
• Katie Owens
• Alex Andy Phuong
• Jamie Pisacane
• Christy Rybczyk
• Jaclyn Sanzari
• Allison Stroili
• Robert Zupperoli

Students in the Neag School and Department of English judged the Letters About Literature semifinalist essays this past month. Thank you to the contest judges, who are current students in the Neag School of Education Integrated Bachelor’s/Master’s program with a second major or concentration in English or UConn students majoring in English:

• Grace Carpenter
• Mckenzie Dayton
• Amanda Faubel
• Emily Feest
• Chloe Goodi
• Vashonti Mac
• Brenna McNeec
• Evelyn Mcname
• Georgia Mills Rent
• Molly Morga
• Thomas Murray
• Sofia Oyola Morale
• Shannon Palme
• Lillian Sol
• Grian Wizne

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