How to Write a Literature Review in 90 Days

Staring at a blank page with 200 open tabs and no idea where to start? This is the plan that gets your literature review done, one week at a time.

This 90 Day Literature Review Guide breaks the whole process into 5 clear phases with weekly checklists. You’ll always know exactly what to do next, from your first database search to hitting submit.

What’s inside the guide:

• Phase 1: Prepare and Discover (Weeks 1–2). Define your keywords and inclusion criteria, set up a citation manager, search databases, and run backward and forward reference searches.
• Phase 2: Reading and Analysis (Weeks 3–5). Read efficiently, sort your papers into 3–5 major themes, and spot the gaps and contradictions your review will address.
• Phase 3: Structuring and Outlining (Week 6). Turn your themes into a detailed outline with Level 1, 2 and 3 headings. Includes an example outline.
• Phase 4: Write It! (Weeks 7–12). A realistic writing schedule, one theme at a time, with suggested page counts and a full week for refining.
• Phase 5: The Grand Finale (Week 13). Edit, cross-check your references and submit. (Snacks strongly encouraged.)

BONUS: How to Use the Literature Review Matrix

• Why a matrix makes your review faster and easier to defend
• 5 simple steps, from recording sources to final selection
• An Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria Framework: 8 criteria, each with included and excluded examples
• An AI-Assisted Paper Extraction Guide with a ready-to-use prompt for pulling key details from papers. It speeds up your note-taking without replacing your reading.

BONUS: Literature Review Matrix Template (Excel)

A ready-to-use spreadsheet that works in Excel or Google Sheets:

• Matrix sheet: track DOI, title, year, authors, purpose, theoretical framework, methodology, sample, key findings, strengths, limitations and notes, all in one place.
• Inclusion/Exclusion sheet: drop-down menus to record which sources make the cut, and why.

Perfect for:

• Master’s and PhD students writing a dissertation or thesis literature review
• Anyone who feels overwhelmed by the volume of reading
• Researchers who want a clear, defensible process for choosing sources

You’ll receive:

• 90 Day Literature Review Guide (PDF)
• How to Use the Matrix guide (PDF)
• Literature Review Matrix Template (.xlsx)

Instant digital download.