Your review article MUST include the following:
Title – Title should reflect the focus of the review article
Abstract – includes a summary of key background information, the gap(s) this review article is intended to fill, findings and/or trends, and future directions (1‐2 paragraphs);
Even though this comes first in the paper, it is usually the last section to be written. o NOT included in the page length requirement
Introduction: includes:
a description of key background information o the purpose for the review and the focus
Body – Generally written in past tense when describing the completed works of other individuals being cited; structured by headings for each topic covered with multiple paragraphs under each heading, which reflect the organization of the topic and indicate the content of the various sections.
 Examples include:
o Characteristics of the Organism
o Methodological Approaches
o Historical Studies
o Proposed Function of the Molecule o Behavior of the Animal Under Stress o Effects of Light on the Plant
Conclusion
o summarizes key findings and/or trends o states the implications of these
identifies future directions in the field
References (“Literature Cited”): o CSE name/year format
Other suggestions:
When discussing the current state of affairs, use present tense. When discussing future directions, use future tense. When
describing the completed works of other individuals being cited, use past tense.
Link the discussed research findings and trends to the purpose and focus stated in the introduction to create a coherent
thread throughout the article.
Analyze and integrate the information from multiple papers (don’t just summarize one paper then the next then the
next…). Link the results from different papers to one another and compare and discuss these relationships.
Common methodology does not need typically need to be described in your paper. However, if the purpose of one of your
cited articles is to introduce a novel methodology, or the design of a particular study is important to understanding the
results, you should explain the method. If unsure, ask your mentor.