Without Losing the Plot

The literature review isn’t just a box to tick; it’s the backbone of your thesis. But too often, it becomes a list of who said what, rather than a clear argument for why your research matters.

At Deconvolution, we help students turn their reviews into purposeful, persuasive narratives. Here’s how:

Think Funnel, Not Firehose

Start broad, then narrow:

• What’s the big-picture issue?
• What themes or debates shape the field?
• Where’s the gap your work addresses?

Synthesise, Don’t Summarise

Instead of listing studies, connect them:

“While Smith (2020) found X, Lee (2022) challenges this with Y, suggesting a shift in how we understand Z.”

Be Selective

You don’t need to cite everything. Focus on what builds your case, not just what fills space.

Need help finding your thread? Deconvolution offers one-to-one support to help you shape a literature review that flows and persuades.