"Mini dissertation" literature review. Can anyone help please?

[weaselwomble]

Hi all.
I am in my third year of an LLB and taking a medical law and ethics module. Our assessment is a sort of mini dissertation on a topic of our choice, and for the first time we have to include a literature review. The tutor has told me to use the first tense and to explain our reasons for our topic choice , but I am not sure how personal/emotive to make this and obviously don't want to go too far into my "feelings" if that makes sense.
I can obviously provide more context if needed but I'd really appreciate any advice anyone can give me - Google isn't being much help on this.
Thanks in advance

[weaselwomble]

Bump for the morning crowd 🤞

[scubadub]

I have never been asked to used first tense. Are you sure he said NOT first person?? I'm finding that strange bit you!!could use sentence beginners such as.
I propose...
I argue...
I find/found...

[scubadub]

I don't know what happened my sentence there, that's supposed to be...but you could use...

[IheartJKR]

You don’t have to go to far into your feelings op- in fact I’d advise not to!
A literature review is a demonstration of an understanding of your topic choice iyswim.... it’s not a list of academic references that you’re reading but it’s not a personal narrative either.

[weaselwomble]

Yes it doesn't sit well with me either which is why I'm struggling but I'm 99% sure that's what she said. I've only done two points in first tense but it just sounds so informal.

[weaselwomble]

I understand that, makes perfect sense thank you.
Is it ok too just say I found it interesting? I'm not sure I meant feelings to be fair, it was very late last night when I posted and I was feeling desperate 😃
There are two things that I would like to say that I think is quite a good point but I don't know if it is too arrogant for an undergrad to say ? My own observations on the topic in general rather than specific literature. Can I put them on here ?

[scubadub]

www.phrasebank.manchester.ac.uk

This might be able to help you, inspire your sentence structure etc. I like to use it, it helps my mental blocks when I need to get something started.

Best of luck!

[weaselwomble]

I'd forgotten about that, thank you so much!

[IheartJKR]

Ohhh thank you @scubadub I’m in the middle of the research proposal for my masters.... I really need that today --and to get off mumsnet--

[scubadub]

@IheartJKR no problem at all. It's a great too!! Best of luck👍

[Afrodizziac]

@scubadub, I didn’t know I needed this so much. Can’t wait for Monday to start on my report. Thanks!

[lordyanothernamechange]

@weaselwomble @IheartJKR @Afrodizziac I just saw this post so it may be too late, but you may find this useful.

libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/literaturereview

Not all disciplines will approach a lit review in the same way so read the advice with a critical eye.

The second thing is that you are being asked to express what is called your "voice" in your writing. if you search online for that, you should find some advice on how to balance critical stance and appropriate academic style against an informal approach.

[LetMeBubble]

Are you sure the idea isnt that:

You do a literature review and then you sort of formulate your project objective/stance by explaining you take on the information you found and what you plan to do with it ?