How to Write a Literature Review in 30 Minutes or Less STEP 5: Introduction & Conclusion The body of the literature review now needs an introduction and conclusion. The opening paragraph should begin broadly by introducing the overall topic—in this case, the impact of cultural diversity on communication—and then gradually funnel down to a thesis statement. Because a literature review is about the published works of others, the thesis statement brings together the major points discussed by the sources. A phrase such as “This review of literature on cultural diversity and communication indicates . . . .” signals to readers that they will be reading a literature review, not your individual claims, arguments or opinions. Here is a possible introduction paragraph for this lit review on cultural diversity in the workplace. Note that the thesis statement reflects the problem-solution pattern that the summaries were arranged in.   INTRODUCTION Whether it’s an office filled with cubicles, a meeting room, or a video conferencing platform, cultural diversity is a fact in today’s workplaces. An increasing reliance on technology, growth of the global marketplace, and the prominence of multinational companies have increased the need for managers and employees to recognize and deal with the challenges to effective communication this diversity brings. The following review of literature confirms that workplace diversity presents problems that go beyond mere language fluency, discusses specific and general solutions, and concludes that workplace-specific initiatives are needed for today's and tomorrow's workforce.. One common strategy for the conclusion paragraph is to open with a restatement of the thesis, which refocuses the reader on the overall point and brings the discussion full circle. Another common strategy is to comment on any gaps or flaws in the research reviewed and, finally, to end with any reflections on how the literature reviewed relates to the overall field in which the topic is situated. Here is a possible conclusion paragraph for this brief literature review on cultural diversity:  CONCLUSION The global village that is today’s workplace will only continue to increase in size and diversity. Unfortunately, research into the problems caused by cultural diversity, from lower productivity and morale to communication barriers, has so far been both general and sparse. Reflecting that immaturity, the literature reviewed in this report defines the overall problem and offers some solutions. However, further research is needed to more clearly categorize the difficulties caused by cultural diversity and to develop effective training programs to address these challenges for tomorrow's workforce. Now it’s possible to add a title that can serve as an umbrella for the entire review and view the final product: