Real-world examples of APA literature review format (with templates and tips)

Short paragraph-style examples of APA literature review format example

Let’s start where most students start: with a short, paragraph-style literature review that appears as a section in a standard APA research paper. These are the easiest examples of APA literature review format to recognize because they sit right after the introduction.

Here’s a short example of how a paragraph-style APA literature review might read in a psychology paper on social media and anxiety:

Literature Review
Research on social media use and anxiety has expanded rapidly over the past decade. Early work focused largely on time spent online, suggesting a modest positive association between overall use and self-reported anxiety symptoms (Smith & Jones, 2016; Taylor, 2017). More recent studies have shifted toward examining how individuals use social media. For example, passive consumption of others’ posts appears more consistently related to anxiety than active engagement, such as messaging or posting (Clark et al., 2020; Liu & Rodriguez, 2022). Longitudinal work has begun to clarify directionality, with several studies indicating that preexisting anxiety predicts later problematic social media use more strongly than the reverse (Nguyen, 2021; Patel & Green, 2023). Together, these findings suggest that both usage patterns and prior mental health status play important roles in understanding the link between social media and anxiety.

Why this works as one of the best examples of a short APA literature review format example:

• It has a clear heading (Literature Review) in APA style.
• Citations follow APA author–date format.
• The paragraph synthesizes studies (grouped by theme and time), rather than listing them one by one.

Section-based examples of examples of APA literature review format example

When your instructor wants a standalone literature review (not just a single section), you’ll usually organize it with multiple headings and subheadings. These longer pieces are some of the best examples of APA literature review format example work because you can see the structure more clearly.

Imagine you’re writing about online learning effectiveness after COVID-19. Here’s how the structure might look in APA style, with short text snippets to illustrate.

Example of an APA literature review with thematic headings

Literature Review

Shifts in Online Learning Since 2020
Prior to 2020, online learning was often treated as an alternative option for adult or nontraditional students (Allen & Seaman, 2017). The COVID-19 pandemic, however, forced rapid adoption of remote instruction across all levels of education (U.S. Department of Education, 2021). Early evaluations highlighted significant variability in quality, with institutions that had existing online infrastructure adapting more effectively than those building systems from scratch (Johnson et al., 2021).

Student Outcomes in Fully Online vs. Hybrid Formats
Studies comparing fully online and hybrid courses since 2020 show mixed results. Some research indicates comparable achievement when course design is intentional and instructors receive training in online pedagogy (Means et al., 2022). Other work documents higher withdrawal rates in fully online sections, particularly for first-generation and lower-income students (Garcia & Lee, 2023). These mixed findings suggest that course format alone does not determine success; support structures and instructional design appear equally important.

Equity, Access, and Digital Divide Concerns
Access to reliable devices and high-speed internet continues to shape who benefits from online learning (National Center for Education Statistics [NCES], 2023). Students in rural areas and low-income households report more frequent technology disruptions and fewer quiet spaces to study (NCES, 2023). Recent initiatives, such as expanded broadband programs and loaner device programs, show promise but have not fully closed these gaps (Harvard Graduate School of Education, 2022).

This is one of those real examples of APA literature review format that you can adapt directly: notice the clear, descriptive headings, the synthesis of patterns, and the consistent APA in-text citations.

Real examples of APA literature review format in different disciplines

APA isn’t just for psychology anymore. You’ll see APA-style literature reviews in nursing, public health, education, business, and more. Below are several realistic examples of examples of APA literature review format example paragraphs across fields, so you can hear the “voice” of each discipline.

Nursing / Health sciences example

Pain Management in Postoperative Patients
Recent research on postoperative pain management emphasizes multimodal approaches that combine pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic strategies (American Society of Anesthesiologists, 2022). Studies of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols, which often include scheduled non-opioid analgesics, early mobilization, and patient education, report shorter hospital stays and lower opioid use without increases in reported pain (Miller et al., 2021; Zhang & Patel, 2023). However, implementation remains uneven, with smaller community hospitals less likely to adopt full ERAS pathways (Nguyen et al., 2022). Patient-level factors, including health literacy and preoperative anxiety, also influence adherence to pain management plans (Mayo Clinic, 2024). These findings highlight the importance of both system-level protocols and individualized patient education in optimizing postoperative pain control.

This nursing paragraph is a strong example of APA literature review format because it:

• Uses current (2021–2024) sources.
• Mixes organizational guidelines (e.g., ASA) with empirical studies.
• Clearly signals trends and gaps.

Public health example

Vaccine Hesitancy in Adolescents and Young Adults
Vaccine hesitancy among adolescents and young adults has emerged as a significant barrier to achieving high coverage for recommended vaccines, including COVID-19 boosters and HPV vaccines (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2024). Surveys conducted in the United States and Europe consistently identify misinformation, low perceived risk, and distrust in institutions as leading predictors of hesitancy (NIH, 2023; Wilson et al., 2022). Social media platforms play a dual role, both amplifying misinformation and providing opportunities for targeted, evidence-based communication (CDC, 2024). Interventions that combine clear risk communication with engagement from trusted messengers, such as school nurses and community leaders, show the most promise in increasing vaccine acceptance (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 2023).

Again, this is one of the best examples of APA literature review format example segments because it integrates government reports, surveys, and intervention studies under a single theme.

Education example

Reading Interventions in Early Elementary Grades
Meta-analyses of reading interventions for students in kindergarten through third grade consistently report moderate gains in decoding and fluency skills, particularly when instruction is explicit and systematic (National Reading Panel, 2020; Smith & Rivera, 2022). More recent work has examined the impact of integrating phonics instruction with culturally responsive texts, with several studies documenting improved engagement and comparable or better reading outcomes for multilingual learners (Garcia et al., 2023; Johnson, 2024). However, evidence on long-term maintenance of gains remains limited, as many studies follow students for only one academic year. This gap suggests a need for longitudinal research that tracks both skill development and attitudes toward reading over time.

This paragraph serves as an example of how to:

• Reference meta-analyses and single studies together.
• Identify a specific gap (limited long-term data).

Business / Management example

Remote Work and Employee Productivity Since 2020
Studies on remote work productivity since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic show mixed but increasingly nuanced findings. Early reports suggested stable or increased productivity among knowledge workers with adequate home office setups (Bloom et al., 2021). Subsequent research has highlighted variation by job type, caregiving responsibilities, and organizational support (Lee & Kramer, 2022). Hybrid arrangements, in which employees split time between home and office, appear to balance flexibility with opportunities for collaboration and mentoring (Harvard Business School, 2023). However, persistent concerns about burnout, blurred work–life boundaries, and inequities in who can work remotely remain central themes in the literature (Nguyen & Stone, 2024).

This business-focused paragraph is another of the real examples of APA literature review format example writing that you can model if you’re in management or organizational behavior.

Examples of APA literature review format example structures (narrative vs. systematic)

In 2024–2025, instructors are increasingly asking students to be explicit about how they selected the studies they’re reviewing. That’s where different structures come in.

Narrative literature review example

A narrative literature review is the most common format in undergraduate papers. It doesn’t require a formal search protocol, but it still needs clear organization. Here’s a shortened example of the opening of a narrative APA literature review on mindfulness and academic performance:

Literature Review
Research on mindfulness-based interventions in educational settings has expanded steadily over the past 15 years. Early studies focused primarily on stress reduction and emotional regulation among college students (Brown & Ryan, 2009; Kabat-Zinn, 2013). More recent work has examined links between mindfulness practices and academic outcomes, including attention, working memory, and grade point average (GPA) (Galante et al., 2018; Lopez & Chen, 2022). Although methodologies vary widely, a consistent pattern emerges: brief, classroom-based mindfulness exercises are associated with small to moderate improvements in self-reported focus and reductions in test anxiety (NIH, 2023). However, evidence for direct effects on GPA is mixed, with some studies reporting modest gains and others finding no significant differences compared to control groups (Harvard Graduate School of Education, 2023).

This counts among the best examples of APA literature review format example narrative style because it:

• Sets a time frame (“past 15 years”).
• Groups studies by outcome (stress, attention, GPA).
• Acknowledges mixed findings.

Systematic-style student literature review example

Some graduate courses expect something closer to a mini systematic review in APA format. You won’t match the depth of a professional systematic review, but you will describe your search and inclusion criteria.

Here’s an abbreviated example of how that might look:

Literature Review
To identify empirical studies on telehealth interventions for managing Type 2 diabetes in adults, I searched PubMed, PsycINFO, and CINAHL for articles published between January 2018 and December 2023. Search terms included telehealth, telemedicine, Type 2 diabetes, and self-management. Studies were included if they (a) involved adults diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, (b) evaluated a telehealth or remote monitoring intervention, and (c) reported outcomes related to glycemic control (e.g., HbA1c) or self-management behaviors. Fifteen studies met these criteria. Overall, telehealth interventions were associated with modest but statistically significant improvements in HbA1c compared to usual care, particularly when combined with regular feedback from a healthcare professional (NIH, 2023; Mayo Clinic, 2024). However, heterogeneity in intervention components and follow-up periods limits direct comparison across studies.

This is a powerful example of APA literature review format for graduate-level work because it:

• Describes databases, dates, and keywords.
• States clear inclusion criteria.
• Summarizes overall findings and limitations.

How to model your own paper on these examples of APA literature review format example

Now that you’ve seen several examples of examples of APA literature review format example paragraphs and structures, here’s a simple way to build your own, step by step.

Start by sketching a map of your themes. For instance, if you’re writing about sleep and academic performance, your themes might be:

• Sleep duration and GPA
• Sleep quality and mental health
• Screen time, bedtime routines, and circadian rhythm

Then, for each theme, write a short paragraph similar to the real examples above. Aim to:

• Open with a clear topic sentence that names the theme.
• Group similar findings together (e.g., “Several longitudinal studies have found…”).
• Note patterns (consistent, mixed, or conflicting results).
• Point out gaps (missing populations, outdated methods, short follow-up periods).

As you do this, keep APA format in mind:

• Use author–date citations (Smith, 2023) or (Smith & Lee, 2022).
• For three or more authors, use the first author plus “et al.” after the first citation.
• Follow APA heading levels appropriate to your assignment.
• End with a reference list formatted in APA style.

If you compare your draft with the real examples of APA literature review format in this guide, you’ll start to hear when your writing sounds like a list versus a synthesis. When it feels like you’re telling a story about how the research developed over time or across themes, you’re on the right track.

FAQ: examples of APA literature review format example questions students ask

Q: Where can I find more real examples of APA literature review format example papers?
You can browse open-access articles in psychology, education, and health journals. Look for the “Literature Review” or “Background” sections. Databases like PubMed and ERIC let you filter for free full-text articles. Many of these show textbook-quality examples of APA literature review format in action.

Q: What is an example of a bad APA literature review?
A weak example of a literature review in APA style usually reads like a disconnected list: “Smith (2020) found X. Jones (2021) found Y. Lee (2022) found Z.” There’s no sense of themes, no comparison between studies, and no discussion of patterns or gaps. Citations might be correct, but the writing doesn’t synthesize.

Q: How long should an APA literature review be for a typical class paper?
For a standard undergraduate APA paper, the literature review section is often 2–4 pages double-spaced. Standalone APA literature review assignments can range from 5–15 pages, depending on the course level and guidelines. Always follow your instructor’s word or page limits.

Q: Do I need a Methods section in a student literature review?
If you’re writing a narrative literature review for a class, you usually don’t need a separate Methods section unless your instructor asks for it. For more advanced or systematic-style assignments, a brief description of how you searched for and selected studies can make your work look more polished and align with current 2024–2025 expectations for transparency.

Q: Can I mix classic older studies with very recent ones in my APA literature review?
Yes. Many of the best examples of APA literature review format example writing combine foundational studies (often older) with recent work (last 5–7 years). Classic studies show where the field started; newer ones show where it is now.

Final thoughts

If you feel stuck, don’t stare at a blank page. Revisit these examples of examples of APA literature review format example paragraphs and borrow their structure: clear headings, themed paragraphs, and steady synthesis instead of lists. Adjust the language to your topic, plug in your own sources, and keep your APA citations consistent. With practice, your literature reviews will start to look and sound like the real examples you see in published research—and that’s exactly the goal.