Rhea Sawant

ENC 1102 - English Composition II

January 31st, 2024

Reading Responses: Example Literature Reviews

➢ Prompt #1: Introduction and Literature Review of Raghunand “The Rhetoric of BookTok”

Summary: To start off, The research question of the article is: "How do popular influencers in
the BookTok community on TikTok use writing and rhetoric?” The author explores the criteria
that allow classification as well as the social, ideological, and cultural contexts in which genres
develop, using genre theory to examine how genres in book communities reflect and impact the
audience (Dean; Chandler). In addition, in examining the abundance of studies on social media
influencers and their rhetoric, the author focuses on the ways in which these figures interact with
their audience, establish their credibility, and shape perspectives (Ge & Gretzel; Reinikainen et
al.; Vrontis et al.). Moving along, background information on BookTok and TikTok is provided
within the introduction, which also emphasizes their recent surge in popularity. The literature
review is broken down into smaller sections, each of which focuses on a particular field of study.
Examples of these sub-sections include genre theory, diversity in publishing, social media
influencers, social media and fandoms, rhetoric in book reviews, and reader-response theory. It
investigates the ways in which these domains interact with and support the BookTok community.
Lastly, the author draws on a wide range of scholarly sources, such as studies, research articles,
and citations to reliable publications like The Guardian and The New York Times. The author
cites sources that support their main ideas and offer proof for their claims.

➢ Prompt #1: Mikkelsen "Write" and Wrong: An Analysis of the Linguistic Differences in Men’s
and Women’s First-Year Technical and Engineering Writing

Summary: The article's research question focuses on examining how the growing presence of
women in the profession of engineering has challenged and changed the writing standards that
were first set by men in a male-dominated setting. The author's specific goal is to find out if
women approach technical writing differently and, if they do, if that difference is advantageous.
The study conducted by Judith McIlwee and J. Gregg Robinson, which contends that men's
preferred writing style in engineering is based on early childhood learning, is cited by the author
as evidence that women who lack a foundation in technology and mechanics may be at a
disadvantage (page 1). The first section of the introduction discusses the past trends in
engineering writing that have been formed by males and their dominance in the field of
engineering. The discussion then shifts to the growing diversity in the industry and poses
concerns about potential effects on technical writing standards.The literature study addresses the
obstacles that women encounter in the male-dominated field of engineering, including
institutional norms, workplace culture, and subtle prejudices in technical writing. These claims
are backed up by citations to publications including Schuster, White et al., Foor and Walden, and
Bastalich et al. A range of materials are used by the author, such as previous research (McIlwee
 and Robinson, Bastalich et al., Foor and Walden, for example), feminist viewpoints (Beddoes,
Sullivan and Moore), and studies on engineering education (Laeser et al.). Claims regarding
cultural obstacles, gender biases, and the necessity of feminist approaches in engineering studies
are all backed up by the sources.

➢ Part Two: Reflection

Reflection: The purpose of the introduction is to provide the research question or hypothesis, set
the study's significance, and give background. It seeks to draw the reader in and provide context
for the study. In contrast, the literature review examines previous studies that are important to the
subject, emphasizing any gaps, disagreements, and patterns. Its goals are to support the necessity
of the current investigation and highlight the researcher's expertise in the area. Sources are
included in the introduction to give background knowledge, set the scene, and support the study's
justification. To show the state of knowledge on the subject, sources are critically examined in the
literature review. It entails combining data from several studies and emphasizing significant
conclusions, approaches, and arguments. Usually, literature reviews are arranged
methodologically, chronologically, or thematically. The topic's historical development is traced
through a logical arrangement, whereas themes could contain important ideas or arguments.
Studies are grouped together methodologically according to the research techniques used.
Effective literature reviews have distinct themes and smooth transitions between various studies.
Reviews that are ineffective may be inconsistent, miss important findings, or fail to spot gaps in
the body of literature. For the introduction, I would like to draw the reader in, and in the literature
review, I would like to critically assess the body of existing material. Then, model a coherent and
clear organization. In addition, I don't want to summarize studies without making a connection to
the research topic, and I don't want to give a long list of references without any sort of
organization.