WRTG 391 is a 3-credit upper-level writing course at the University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC). UMGC lists WRTG 112 as the prerequisite and says it fulfills the general education requirement in upper-level advanced writing.
The course gives instruction and practice in academic research skills: critically analyzing scholarly and other credible sources and integrating them into a complex argument. UMGC places emphasis on synthesizing multiple sources in a literature review on a focused topic.
Course at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| University | University of Maryland Global Campus |
| Code and title | WRTG 391 Advanced Research Writing |
| Level | Undergraduate (upper level), 3 credits |
| Prerequisite | WRTG 112 |
| Requirement | General education: upper-level advanced writing |
| Emphasis | Literature review on a focused topic |
| Credit note | Credit is allowed for only one of ENGL 391, ENGL 391X, WRTG 391 or WRTG 391X |
What WRTG 391 Covers
| Topic from the catalog | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| Academic research skills | Finding, selecting and managing sources |
| Critical analysis of scholarly and credible sources | Judging methods, evidence and limitations |
| Integrating source material | Using sources inside your own argument |
| Complex argument | Building a claim with layered reasoning |
| Synthesizing multiple sources | Producing a literature review on a focused topic |
Key Concepts Explained
What a Literature Review Does
A literature review is not a list of summaries. It organizes what is known about a topic, shows how studies relate, and identifies agreements, disagreements and gaps. It leads to a position or a question your own work could address.
Illustration (invented structure, method only): For a review of remote work and team communication, you might group sources into three themes: tools and technology, trust and relationships, and measured outcomes. Each section compares what sources found and why they might differ.
Critical Reading
Ask of each source: what was the question, how was evidence gathered, what are the limits, and how does it connect to others? Taking notes with these headings builds the review as you read.
Narrowing the Topic
The catalog says the topic should be focused. A narrow question allows depth. If the sources are too numerous, narrow it; if too few, widen it slightly.
Typical Assignments and How to Approach Them
UMGC highlights the literature review; other tasks vary by section. The table is general guidance.
| Assignment type | What it tests | How to approach it |
|---|---|---|
| Topic proposal | Focus and feasibility | State a narrow question and likely source types |
| Source analysis | Critical reading | Use the same questions for every source |
| Literature review | Synthesis | Organize by theme and conclude with gaps or implications |
| Draft and revision | Responding to feedback | Prioritize structural fixes before sentence polish |
Stages of a Literature Review Project
| Stage | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Narrow the topic | A focused research question |
| Search and select | A manageable set of credible sources |
| Analyze | Notes on method, findings and limits |
| Synthesize | Themes, agreements, conflicts and gaps |
| Write and revise | A review organized by theme |
Writing in Your Own Voice
A review needs your voice as the guide through the sources. Use topic sentences that make your point, then bring in sources as evidence. Avoid paragraphs that begin and end with source names only.
What a Strong WRTG 391 Submission Looks Like
A strong literature review is organized by theme, evaluates sources critically, and identifies where sources agree, disagree and leave gaps. The argument is complex but clear, and the writing guides the reader through it.
It also manages scope well: the topic is focused, and the sources chosen are credible and relevant. Citations are accurate and consistent.
Questions to Ask Your Instructor
Ask how many sources the literature review should include, whether sources must be peer reviewed, how long the review should be and which citation style applies. Knowing the scope early helps you narrow the topic correctly.
Where Students Get Stuck
- Annotated list in disguise. Reorganize by theme.
- Topics that are too broad. Narrow until you can cover the main sources well.
- Uncritical acceptance. Note limits and conflicts between sources.
- No conclusion. End with what the body of work shows and what remains open.
Study Tips for WRTG 391
- Use a synthesis matrix: sources as rows, themes as columns.
- Write theme headings first, then drop sources beneath them.
- Use a reference manager from the start.
- Revisit WRTG 291 notes on annotation and synthesis.
How We Help with WRTG 391
Send the topic, rubric, sources and any draft. A writing tutor can explain literature review structure, prepare a model for a comparable topic, or review your draft for synthesis and source use. See our literature review help guide for wider support.
GradeEssays is independent and not affiliated with UMGC. Our work is a study and reference aid; submit your own work under UMGC's academic integrity policy. Orders are written from scratch, include free revisions within the scope of your original request, and are refunded in full if late.
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Frequently Asked Questions
UMGC lists WRTG 112.
Three credits.
The general education requirement in upper-level advanced writing.
UMGC emphasizes synthesizing multiple sources in a literature review on a focused topic.
A review organizes sources by theme to support an argument; a bibliography lists and annotates each source separately.
Yes. We can review structure, synthesis and referencing, while you submit your own final work.