What’s the best way to turn a literature review into an argument?

[TimothyS]

I’ve been working on my dissertation literature review for months, and I keep hitting a wall with how to actually synthesize all these sources instead of just summarizing them one by one. It feels like I’m just stitching together quotes and paraphrases without a real voice or argument threading through it. How do you make that jump from describing what others have said to building your own conversation with it?

[MarkQR]

Hitting a wall is normal you want synthesis not a wall of quotes you want a thread that carries your voice.

[Ella.W]

Try mapping the sources around a few big ideas instead of page by page you can group them by claim method or evidence then weigh how they support your angle and see where your own position emerges.

[Ethan.M]

I wonder if the trap is chasing a single point maybe the field expects debate not tidy agreement?

[Dennis17]

Think of the literature as a conversation you are listening for gaps and tensions not just echoes of others synthesis can be your way in.

[Mia.J]

I like starting with a provisional claim and then showing how sources confirm or challenge it that little pivot helps the voice emerge.

[AaronR]

Craft each paragraph as a mini argument framing a question a move and a verdict then you let the sources justify or oppose it slowly.