Help Research Topics
While the possibilities for a literature research paper are endless, a listing of some common approaches and categorizations could serve as a starting point:
• Genre of literature – Select a genre, such as poetry, drama, biography, historical fiction, or mystery, and show changes over time.
• Patterns – Find connections in one work, a genre or an era.
• Literature of a particular era – Are the authors of a time period constrained by the society they live in, or do some transcend it?
Great Research Topics for Your Paper
• Focus on one country’s literature – Perhaps forgo the usual American or British literature and explore the unfamiliar – Japan, India, etc.
• In-depth study of an author – Offer a complete biographical study.
• A chronological analysis of how one author’s works and writing style evolved over time.
• The use of symbolism and literary devices – How does an author use elements such as light and dark to foreshadow or advance a plot?
• Should classic literature be updated to make it more appealing to young people? At least one professor “translated” a Shakespeare play into a more modern take. A popular movie kept the text of Romeo and Juliet intact while updating the setting.
• Compare and contrast – As an example, themes and portrayals of society in Balzac’s Father Goriot and Brett Easton Ellis’ American Psycho.
• Writing as an impetus for change – Writers may indirectly, gradually cause change in society, or in other cases force change, such as the “muckrakers” who brought social problems to light.
• Character study – A look at the characters or how they are portrayed – are they realistic, symbolic?
• Use your imagination – Place yourself in the mind of a classic author and describe your thoughts on a modern work. Dickens on Catch-22, perhaps?
• Go back to the source for some speculation – What
• Genre of literature – Select a genre, such as poetry, drama, biography, historical fiction, or mystery, and show changes over time.
• Patterns – Find connections in one work, a genre or an era.
• Literature of a particular era – Are the authors of a time period constrained by the society they live in, or do some transcend it?
Great Research Topics for Your Paper
• Focus on one country’s literature – Perhaps forgo the usual American or British literature and explore the unfamiliar – Japan, India, etc.
• In-depth study of an author – Offer a complete biographical study.
• A chronological analysis of how one author’s works and writing style evolved over time.
• The use of symbolism and literary devices – How does an author use elements such as light and dark to foreshadow or advance a plot?
• Should classic literature be updated to make it more appealing to young people? At least one professor “translated” a Shakespeare play into a more modern take. A popular movie kept the text of Romeo and Juliet intact while updating the setting.
• Compare and contrast – As an example, themes and portrayals of society in Balzac’s Father Goriot and Brett Easton Ellis’ American Psycho.
• Writing as an impetus for change – Writers may indirectly, gradually cause change in society, or in other cases force change, such as the “muckrakers” who brought social problems to light.
• Character study – A look at the characters or how they are portrayed – are they realistic, symbolic?
• Use your imagination – Place yourself in the mind of a classic author and describe your thoughts on a modern work. Dickens on Catch-22, perhaps?
• Go back to the source for some speculation – What