How To Format A Literature Review: A Step-By-Step Guide

A literature review format is the set of structural and citation rules that determine how sources are presented and documented in an academic paper. It defines how sections are organized, how sources are cited in the text, how references appear at the end, and how the document is spaced and styled. A correctly structured literature review makes research easy to follow and sources easy to verify.

Formatting mistakes are common in literature reviews, especially when you include multiple sources. Our detailed guide will help you avoid these errors. And in case you still need some help in organizing, EssayHub’s human essay helper is always in your corner with structured academic guidance.

Different Literature Review Formats and When to Use Them

Different academic fields rely on different formatting systems. Each one reflects how that discipline handles evidence and sources. Below are the most common formats and practical explanations on what it takes to format a literature review using each one correctly.

APA Literature Review Format

APA style is standard in psychology, education, health sciences, and many social science fields. This style includes:

• Title page: Required in APA and includes a centered, bold title, author, and course details, page numbers in the header, double spacing, and one-inch margins.
• Introduction: Opens the literature review by defining the research scope and main themes.
• Body sections: Organized by themes or research patterns and structured with APA heading levels. 
• In-text citations: Use the author’s last name and publication year, with page numbers for direct quotes, placed directly after referenced ideas.
• Reference list: Appears on a separate page titled “References,” lists sources alphabetically, uses hanging indents, and follows APA punctuation rules.

Because APA style relies on consistency, small deviations stand out, which makes careful formatting essential. When you use APA style, font choice stays standard, and paragraphs remain left-aligned with no extra spacing between them in standard formatting.

MLA Literature Review Format

MLA style is common in literature, cultural studies, and language-focused disciplines. It requires: 

• First page layout: MLA does not use a title page. The first page lists the student’s name, instructor’s name, course, and date on the left, followed by a centered title. The entire document is double-spaced.
• In-text citations: Citations use the author’s last name and page number in parentheses, with no punctuation between them.
• Works Cited page: Sources appear on a page titled “Works Cited,” listed alphabetically and formatted with hanging indents. Each entry follows MLA rules based on the source type.

Chicago Literature Review Format

Chicago style appears most often in history, law, and some interdisciplinary research and emphasizes detailed source documentation. Literature reviews in Chicago use two systems:

• Notes and bibliography system, which uses footnotes or endnotes for citations and a bibliography at the end. This option works well when the review includes detailed source context or commentary that would interrupt the main text if placed inline.
• Author-date system, which places short citations directly in the text using the author’s last name and publication year, followed by a reference list. This option suits research-focused reviews where publication dates and study comparisons matter more than extended source notes.

Both systems follow the same core formatting rules for spacing, margins, page numbers, and title placement. Citations appear as footnotes or endnotes, depending on how the writer chooses to present source information. Footnotes place citation details at the bottom of the same page, while endnotes collect all citation notes at the end of the document.

In both cases, the first note for a source includes complete publication details. Later citations use a shortened version of that reference. A bibliography at the end of the paper lists all sources in full, giving readers a clear record of the research used in the literature review.

Harvard Literature Review Format

Harvard style is widely used in business, economics, and international studies. It relies on author-date citations similar to APA but follows different reference conventions.

In-text citations include the author’s last name and year of publication. Page numbers appear for direct quotations. The reference list follows a strict order for author names, years, titles, and publishers. Formatting rules can vary by institution, so checking local guidelines is important. Most versions require double spacing and a consistent paragraph structure.

A Harvard literature review often organizes sources by themes, theories, or research outcomes. When you format a literature review in Harvard style, punctuation and ordering deserve close attention since mistakes are easy to spot.

IEEE Literature Review Format

The IEEE format for literature review is standard in engineering, computer science, and technical fields. The style prioritizes efficiency and clarity.

Citations appear as numbers in square brackets that link to a numbered reference list. Sources are listed in the order they appear in the text rather than alphabetically. The document typically uses double spacing, standard margins, and numbered section headings. Figures and tables often support the literature review.

Citation tracking becomes part of the IEEE structure. Adding or removing sources affects numbering throughout the document. The format works best for reviews that summarize technical research and establish a clear foundation for further study.

How to Format a Literature Review

This section breaks down each core detail of a literature review outline and shows how that element is handled across the main formatting styles. Each element is described briefly, followed by bullet points for each style.

Title Page

The title page presents basic document information and signals the citation guidelines used. Requirements vary widely according to the literature review formatting style.

• APA: A separate title page is required. The title appears centered and bold, followed by the author's name, institutional affiliation, course details, instructor, and date. A page number appears in the header.
• MLA: MLA does not use a title page. The author name, instructor, course, and date appear at the top of the first page. The title is centered above the body text.
• Chicago: The title is centered on the page, with the author's name and course information placed below it. Page numbering typically begins with the title page, though the number is not displayed.
• Harvard: Many institutions require a title page. It usually includes the title, author name, institution, and date. The layout often resembles APA.
• IEEE: A title page or title section is required. The title appears centered at the top, followed by the author and institutional details according to publisher or institutional rules.

Abstract

The abstract gives a short overview of the review’s scope and purpose. Not every citation style requires an abstract.

• APA: An abstract is often required. It appears on its own page after the title page and is written as a single, unindented paragraph.
• MLA: An abstract is not standard and only appears if explicitly required.
• Chicago: Abstracts are uncommon and included only when requested.
• Harvard: Some institutions require an abstract. Placement usually follows the title page.
• IEEE: An abstract is common, especially in technical research papers. It is brief, factual, and placed before the main text.

Introduction

The introduction explains the focus, scope, and structure of the literature review.

• APA: The introduction begins on a new page and uses a clear heading. It outlines themes, scope, and relevance.
• MLA: The introduction starts immediately after the title without a labeled heading. It frames the scholarly conversation.
• Chicago: An introduction may include a heading and often provides historical or theoretical context.
• Harvard: The section uses a clear heading and explains research aims and organization.
• IEEE: The introduction is clearly labeled and connects existing research to a defined problem or objective.

Body Sections

The body contains the analysis and synthesis of sources and forms the core of the literature review.

• APA: Uses structured headings and subheadings to organize themes or methods. Citations follow the author-date system.
• MLA: Relies more on paragraph structure and transitions than formal headings. Citations use the author-page system.
• Chicago: Allows narrative sections supported by footnotes or endnotes. Headings are optional.
• Harvard: Organizes content by themes or findings with clear headings. Citations follow the author-date system.
• IEEE: Uses numbered section headings and bracketed numerical citations. The structure stays compact and technical.

Conclusion

The conclusion summarizes patterns, gaps, or directions identified in the literature.

• APA: Often labeled clearly as a conclusion section and follows the final body section.
• MLA: May appear as a final paragraph without a formal heading.
• Chicago: Can be labeled or integrated into a closing discussion section.
• Harvard: Usually uses a clear heading and restates key findings.
• IEEE: Brief and focused, often labeled and tied directly to research objectives.

References Or Bibliography

This section lists all sources used in the literature review and follows strict formatting rules.

• APA: The page is titled “References,” centered and bold. Sources list alphabetically by the author's last name using a hanging indent.
• MLA: The page is titled “Works Cited,” centered. Sources list alphabetically by author's last name using a hanging indent.
• Chicago: The page is titled “Bibliography.” Entries list alphabetically and must match footnotes or endnotes exactly.
• Harvard: The page is titled “References.” Entries are listed alphabetically and follow institution-specific ordering rules.
• IEEE: The page is titled “References.” Sources are listed numerically in the order they appear in the text.

A custom literature review writing service can help you make better sense of your sources. 

Examples of Literature Review Formats in PDF

Below are sample literature review PDFs formatted in APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, and IEEE styles. Each example shows how the same academic task changes across citation systems, from structure and spacing to citations and reference lists.

Literature Review in APA Format

Literature Review in APA Format

Literature Review in MLA Format

Literature Review in MLA Format

Literature Review in Chicago Format

Literature Review in Chicago Format

Literature Review in Harvard Format

Literature Review in Harvard Format

Literature Review in IEEE Format

Literature Review in IEEE Format

Formatting Tips For Literature Review

Formatting errors usually come from timing rather than confusion. Students understand the rules, but apply them too late. These tips focus on when and how formatting decisions should happen so the review stays stable as it grows.

• Lock margins, spacing, and font before drafting. Structural changes later ripple through the entire document.
• Use the ruler or paragraph settings for indentation. Manual spacing drifts over time and becomes obvious on review.
• Build citations and references together. A reference added after the fact is the easiest one to misformat.
• Keep one citation system active at all times. Visual similarity across styles leads to accidental mixing.
• Treat the reference list as its own task. Read it top to bottom only for spacing, order, and indentation.
• Do a vertical scan before submission. Formatting problems surface faster when you stop reading for meaning.

Wrapping Things Up

A literature review works best when its structure is settled before the writing begins. Each citation style sets expectations for spacing, paragraph layout, headings, and source documentation. Consistent formatting keeps sources easy to trace and arguments clear to follow. Starting with the correct format reduces revisions and helps the review present ideas with clarity and academic control.

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