Ways of structuring a literature review

Chronological organization

The discussion of the research/articles is ordered according to an historical or developmental context

The classic studies organization

A discussion or outline of the major writings regarded as significant in your area of study.

Topical or thematic organization

The research is divided into sections representing the categories or conceptual subjects for your topic. The discussion is organized into these categories or subjects

Inverted pyramid organization

The literature review begins with a discussion of the related literature form a board perspective. It then deals with more and more specific or localized studies which focus increasingly on the specific question at hand.