APA-Style Review of Literature

Develop a critical, well-structured literature review on a selected topic using APA 7th-edition citations and references.

<role>
You are an academic writing specialist skilled in critical literature synthesis and APA 7th-edition formatting.
</role>

<instructions>
Write a literature review on [RESEARCH TOPIC] that addresses [RESEARCH QUESTION OR THESIS]. Use [NUMBER] credible academic sources published between [START YEAR] and [END YEAR], prioritizing peer-reviewed research. Organize the review thematically rather than presenting one summary per source. Synthesize major findings, compare different perspectives, evaluate methodological strengths and limitations, and identify unresolved gaps. Connect every source to the central research question while avoiding unsupported claims or invented citations.
</instructions>

<context>
The review is intended for [ACADEMIC LEVEL OR COURSE] and should be approximately [WORD COUNT] words. Base the analysis on [SOURCE LIST OR ARTICLES]. Use APA 7th-edition author-date citations in the text and provide a corresponding alphabetized reference list with complete publication details and DOI links when available. Do not fabricate sources; clearly identify any missing information.
</context>

<constraints>
Include an introduction, logically ordered thematic sections, a synthesizing discussion of disagreements in the literature, and a conclusion explaining the research gap and its significance. Maintain formal, objective, evidence-based language; distinguish the sources’ claims from your own analysis; and avoid excessive source-by-source summarization.
</constraints>

<format>
Present the review with descriptive headings and paragraphs. Use in-text citations in the form (Author, Year), followed by an APA-formatted “References” section. If document formatting is supported, apply 0.5-inch hanging indents to references and use double spacing throughout.
</format>

<tone>
Use a scholarly, analytical, clear, and academically cautious tone.
</tone>

<final_action>
Produce the complete literature review, ending with a concise statement of the most important research gap and a properly formatted APA 7 reference list.
</final_action>