English Literature Research Paper Topics

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This guide, centered on English literature research paper topics , serves as a comprehensive resource for students seeking to delve deep into the diverse epochs, authors, and themes that have shaped English literary tradition. Navigating the intricate tapestry of English literature offers scholars a multitude of avenues for exploration. From the mystique of medieval tales to the introspective narratives of modernism, this guide not only provides a plethora of English literature research paper topics but also offers insights on choosing the ideal topic, structuring the research paper, and harnessing the unmatched writing services of iResearchNet. Dive in to unravel the rich heritage of English literature and discover the myriad opportunities it presents for academic exploration.

100 English Literature Research Paper Topics

Diving into English literature is like embarking on a journey through time and culture. From ancient ballads to modernist narratives, it offers a vast panorama of themes, styles, and societal reflections. Below is a comprehensive list of English literature research paper topics spanning across different eras and genres:

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Medieval Literature

  • The significance of chivalry in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight .
  • The Christian and Pagan elements in Beowulf .
  • Courtly love in The Knight’s Tale from Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales .
  • Dream visions in Pearl and Piers Plowman .
  • The role of fate and providence in The Consolation of Philosophy .
  • The art of storytelling in The Decameron vs. The Canterbury Tales .
  • The Seven Deadly Sins in Everyman .
  • The evolution of the English language: Old English vs. Middle English.
  • Religious allegory in The Second Shepherd’s Play .
  • Women and femininity in the Lais of Marie de France .

Renaissance and Elizabethan Age

  • Shakespeare’s portrayal of power in Macbeth .
  • Love and beauty in Sonnet 18 .
  • The idea of the “New World” in The Tempest .
  • The virtues in Spenser’s The Faerie Queene .
  • Magic and science in Doctor Faustus by Christopher Marlowe.
  • The pastoral settings of As You Like It .
  • The politics of gender in Twelfth Night .
  • Revenge and madness in Hamlet .
  • John Donne’s metaphysical poetry and its innovation.
  • The darker side of the Renaissance: The Duchess of Malfi by John Webster.

The Restoration and the 18th Century

  • The satirical world of Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels .
  • Class struggles in Daniel Defoe’s Moll Flanders .
  • Alexander Pope’s critique of society in The Rape of the Lock .
  • Aphra Behn and the emergence of the woman writer.
  • The wit and wisdom of Samuel Johnson’s essays.
  • The rise of the novel: Richardson vs. Fielding.
  • Sentimentality and society in Sterne’s Tristram Shandy .
  • Politics and plays: John Gay’s The Beggar’s Opera .
  • Women, education, and literature: Mary Wollstonecraft’s ideas.
  • The mock-heroic in English literature.

Romantic Period

  • Nature and transcendence in Wordsworth’s Tintern Abbey .
  • The Byronic hero in Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage .
  • Shelley’s Ozymandias and the ephemeral nature of power.
  • The Gothic romance of Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights .
  • George Gordon Lord Byron and the Romantic antihero.
  • The visionary world of William Blake’s poems.
  • The exotic and the familiar in Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
  • Keats’s exploration of beauty and mortality.
  • The industrial revolution’s reflection in literature.
  • Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and the dangers of ambition.

Victorian Era

  • Charles Dickens and his critique of Victorian society.
  • The challenges of morality in Thomas Hardy’s novels.
  • The bildungsroman in Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre .
  • The plight of women in George Eliot’s Middlemarch .
  • Oscar Wilde’s wit and irony in The Importance of Being Earnest .
  • The debate on science and religion in In Memoriam A.H.H by Alfred Lord Tennyson.
  • The mystery and suspense of Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories.
  • The “Woman Question” in Victorian literature.
  • The realism of Anthony Trollope’s Chronicles of Barsetshire.
  • Gothic elements in Dracula by Bram Stoker.
  • The fragmented narrative of Virginia Woolf’s To the Lighthouse .
  • T.S. Eliot’s The Waste Land and the disillusionment of the post-war era.
  • The struggles of the working class in D.H. Lawrence’s novels.
  • The impact of World War I on English poetry.
  • James Joyce’s revolutionary narrative techniques in A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man .
  • E.M. Forster’s exploration of social and racial themes.
  • The critique of colonialism in Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness .
  • W.B. Yeats and the Irish literary revival.
  • The emergence of the stream-of-consciousness technique.
  • The Jazz Age and decadence in the writings of F. Scott Fitzgerald.

The Gothic Tradition

  • Origins of Gothic fiction: Horace Walpole’s The Castle of Otranto .
  • The supernatural and macabre in Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.
  • Ann Radcliffe’s influence on the Gothic novel.
  • The role of the Byronic hero in The Vampyre by John Polidori.
  • Duality of human nature in The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde .
  • The haunting atmospheres in Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë.
  • Gender and sexuality in Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu.
  • Edgar Allan Poe’s influence on English Gothic literature.
  • Dracula by Bram Stoker: Themes of sexuality and fear of the unknown.
  • The Gothic novel as a reflection of societal fears and anxieties.

The Angry Young Men Era

  • Social criticism in John Osborne’s Look Back in Anger .
  • Exploring masculinity in Saturday Night and Sunday Morning by Alan Sillitoe.
  • The disillusionment of post-war Britain in The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner .
  • The class struggle in Kingsley Amis’s Lucky Jim .
  • Existential themes in John Wain’s Hurry on Down .
  • Feminine perspectives in the era: Shelagh Delaney’s A Taste of Honey .
  • The critique of academia in The History Man by Malcolm Bradbury.
  • The Angry Young Men and their influence on modern theater.
  • The transformation of British literature in the 1950s and 1960s.
  • The lasting legacy of the Angry Young Men movement in contemporary literature.

Postmodern British Literature

  • Metafiction in Julian Barnes’s Flaubert’s Parrot .
  • The playfulness of language in Salman Rushdie’s The Satanic Verses .
  • Intertextuality in Jeanette Winterson’s Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit .
  • The fragmented narrative in Graham Swift’s Waterland .
  • Reality and fiction in Ian McEwan’s Atonement .
  • Gender and postcolonial themes in Angela Carter’s The Passion of New Eve .
  • The exploration of identity in Zadie Smith’s White Teeth .
  • The deconstruction of traditional narrative in Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell.
  • Postmodern gothic in The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield.
  • Magical realism in The Porcelain Doll by Julian Barnes.

Contemporary English Literature

  • The multicultural London in Brick Lane by Monica Ali.
  • Exploring family dynamics in On Beauty by Zadie Smith.
  • The concept of time in Ian McEwan’s Amsterdam .
  • The role of history in Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall .
  • The exploration of love and loss in Julian Barnes’s The Sense of an Ending .
  • Postcolonial Britain in Andrea Levy’s Small Island .
  • The challenges of modern life in Nick Hornby’s High Fidelity .
  • The evolution of the English detective novel: Kate Atkinson’s Case Histories .
  • The legacy of the British Empire in The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai.
  • The digital age and its influence on literature: The Word Exchange by Alena Graedon.

English literature boasts a rich and varied tapestry of themes, periods, and genres. This comprehensive list is a testament to the dynamism and depth of the field, offering a myriad of research avenues for students. As they venture into each topic, they can appreciate the nuances and complexities that have shaped the literary tradition, making it an invaluable component of global culture and heritage.

English Literature and the Range of Topics It Offers

English literature, encompassing the vast historical, cultural, and artistic legacy of writings in the English language, boasts a rich tapestry of narratives, characters, and stylistic innovations. From the earliest Old English epic poems to the reflective and multifaceted postmodern novels, English literature offers an expansive array of topics for analysis, discussion, and research. The depth and breadth of this literary tradition are mirrored by the diverse range of English literature research paper topics it can inspire.

The Medieval Foundation

Diving into the early origins of English literature, we encounter works like Beowulf , an Old English epic poem of heroism, fate, and the struggle against malevolent forces. Medieval English literature, characterized by religious texts, chivalric romances, and philosophical treatises, sets the stage for the evolution of narrative styles and thematic explorations. The rich allegorical narratives, like Piers Plowman or Sir Gawain and the Green Knight , present intricate societal and spiritual commentaries that still resonate with readers today. These works invite inquiries into the socio-religious dynamics of medieval England, the evolution of the English language, and the literary techniques employed.

Renaissance and Enlightenment: A Burst of Creativity

The Renaissance and Elizabethan Age saw the emergence of revered playwrights like William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe, whose dramas, whether tragedies, comedies, or histories, plumbed the depths of human emotion, politics, and existence. The genius of Shakespeare’s Hamlet or Othello , juxtaposed against Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus , provides a fertile ground for investigating themes of ambition, betrayal, love, and existential angst. Moreover, with poets like Edmund Spenser and his epic The Faerie Queene , English literature expanded its horizons, both thematically and stylistically.

The subsequent Restoration and the 18th century ushered in a period of social and literary change. With authors like Jonathan Swift and Alexander Pope, satire became a powerful tool to critique society and politics. Furthermore, the emergence of the novel, as exemplified by Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe and Samuel Richardson’s Pamela , offered researchers a chance to explore the evolving societal values, gender norms, and narrative techniques.

Romanticism, Victorian Era to Modernism: A Spectrum of Emotion and Thought

The Romantic period, marked by poets like William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and John Keats, celebrated nature, emotion, and individualism. In contrast, the Victorian era, with novelists like Charles Dickens, Thomas Hardy, and the Brontë sisters, addressed societal change, morality, and industrialization. Both periods are a goldmine for English literature research paper topics around the individual vs. society, the role of nature, and the exploration of the self.

Modernism in English literature, with heavyweights like Virginia Woolf, James Joyce, and T.S. Eliot, revolutionized narrative structure and thematic depth. Works from this era, such as To the Lighthouse or The Waste Land , demand analysis on fragmented narrative, stream of consciousness, and the introspective exploration of the human psyche.

Contemporary Reflections

Contemporary English literature, shaped by postcolonial, feminist, and postmodern influences, gives voice to a plethora of perspectives. Authors like Salman Rushdie, Zadie Smith, and Julian Barnes tackle issues of identity, multiculturalism, history, and reality versus fiction. Such works present a plethora of avenues for research, from analyzing the postcolonial identity in Rushdie’s narratives to the intricate tapestries of familial and societal dynamics in Smith’s novels.

Concluding Thoughts

In essence, English literature is an evolving entity, reflecting and shaping societal, cultural, and individual values and challenges over the centuries. For students and researchers, the wealth of English literature research paper topics it offers ranges from historical and linguistic analyses to deep dives into thematic cores and stylistic innovations. Whether one wishes to explore the chivalric codes of medieval romances, the biting satires of the 18th century, the emotional landscapes of Romanticism, or the fragmented realities of postmodern narratives, English literature provides an inexhaustible reservoir of research opportunities.

How to Choose an English Literature Topic

Choosing a research paper topic, especially within the expansive field of English literature, can be a challenging endeavor. The centuries-spanning literature offers a treasure trove of stories, themes, characters, and socio-political contexts that beckon exhaustive exploration. As such, students often find themselves at a crossroads, wondering where to begin and how to narrow down their choices to find that one compelling topic. Here’s a detailed guide to streamline this process:

  • Align with Your Interests: Dive into periods, genres, or authors that genuinely intrigue you. If Victorian novels captivate your imagination or if Shakespearean dramas resonate with you, use that as your starting point. Genuine interest ensures sustained motivation throughout your research journey.
  • Evaluate Academic Relevance: While personal interest is vital, ensure your chosen topic aligns with academic goals and curriculum requirements. Some English literature research paper topics, while intriguing, might not offer substantial academic value for a particular course or level of study.
  • Seek Familiar Ground (But Not Too Familiar): Leverage your previous readings and coursework. Familiarity offers a foundation, but challenge yourself to explore uncharted territories within that domain. If you enjoyed Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice , maybe delve into its feminist interpretations or comparative studies with other contemporaneous works.
  • Embrace Complexity: Opt for English literature research paper topics that lend themselves to multifaceted exploration. Simple topics might not provide enough depth for comprehensive research papers. Instead of a general overview of Romantic poetry, explore the portrayal of nature in Wordsworth’s works versus Shelley’s.
  • Historical and Cultural Context: Literature isn’t created in a vacuum. Understand the historical and societal backdrop of a literary work. This context can offer a fresh perspective and can be an excellent lens for your research.
  • Contemporary Relevance: How does a particular work or literary period converse with today’s world? Exploring the modern implications or relevance of classic works can be both enlightening and academically rewarding.
  • Diverse Interpretations: Embrace English literature research paper topics open to various interpretations. Works like George Orwell’s 1984 or Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot can be analyzed from political, psychological, existential, or linguistic viewpoints.
  • Consult with Peers and Professors: Engage in discussions with classmates and seek advice from professors. Their feedback can provide new perspectives or refine your existing topic ideas.
  • Read Critiques and Literary Journals: Academic journals, critiques, and literary analyses offer insights into popular research areas and can help you identify gaps or lesser-explored aspects of a work or period.
  • Flexibility is Key: As you delve deeper into your research, be open to tweaking or even changing your topic. New findings or challenges might necessitate slight shifts in your research focus.

Choosing the right research topic in English literature requires a blend of personal passion, academic relevance, and the potential for in-depth exploration. By aligning your interests with academic goals, and being open to exploration and adaptation, you pave the way for a fulfilling and academically enriching research experience. Remember, the journey of researching and understanding literature can be as enlightening as the end result. Embrace the process, and let the vast ocean of English literature inspire and challenge you.

How to Write an English Literature Research Paper

Penning an English literature research paper is a task that demands meticulous planning, a deep understanding of the subject, and the ability to weave thoughts coherently. English literature, with its vast and rich tapestry, offers endless avenues for exploration, making it both an exciting and daunting endeavor. Below are step-by-step guidelines to craft a compelling research paper in this domain:

  • Understanding the Assignment: Before diving into the research phase, ensure you fully understand the assignment’s requirements. Is there a specific format? Are certain sources mandatory? What’s the word count? This foundational clarity sets the stage for efficient research and writing.
  • Preliminary Research: Start with a broad exploration of your topic. Read general articles, introductory chapters, or review papers. This will give you a general overview and can help narrow down your focus.
  • Thesis Statement Formulation: Your thesis is the backbone of your research paper. It should be clear, precise, and arguable. For instance, instead of writing “Shakespeare’s plays are influential,” you might specify, “ Macbeth illustrates the dire consequences of unchecked ambition.”
  • Diving Deeper – Detailed Research: With your thesis in hand, dive deeper into primary (original texts) and secondary sources (critiques, essays). Libraries, academic databases, and literary journals are treasure troves of valuable information.
  • Organize Your Findings: Use digital tools, index cards, or notebooks to categorize and annotate your findings. Grouping similar ideas together will make the writing process smoother.
  • Drafting an Outline: An organized structure is essential for clarity. Create an outline with clear headings and subheadings, ensuring a logical flow of ideas. This will serve as a roadmap as you write.
  • Introduction Crafting: Your introduction should be engaging, offering a glimpse of your thesis and the significance of your study. Remember, first impressions count!
  • Literary Analysis: Delve into the text’s intricacies – symbols, themes, character development, stylistic devices, and historical context.
  • Critiques and Counter-arguments: Discuss various interpretations of the text, and don’t shy away from addressing dissenting views. This lends credibility and depth to your paper.
  • Comparative Analysis (if applicable): Compare the chosen work with others, drawing parallels or highlighting contrasts.
  • Maintaining Coherence and Transition: Each paragraph should have a clear main idea and transition smoothly to the next, maintaining the paper’s flow and ensuring the reader’s engagement.
  • Conclusion Crafting: Reiterate your thesis and summarize your main findings. Discuss the broader implications of your study, potentially suggesting areas for further exploration.
  • Citing Your Sources: Always attribute ideas and quotations to their original authors. Depending on the assigned format (MLA, APA, etc.), ensure that in-text citations and the bibliography are correctly formatted.
  • Revision and Proofreading: Once your draft is complete, take a break before revisiting it. Read it aloud to catch awkward phrasings. Check for grammatical errors, consistency in argumentation, and clarity in presenting ideas. Consider seeking peer reviews or utilizing editing tools.
  • Seek Feedback: Before final submission, consider sharing your paper with a mentor, professor, or knowledgeable peer. Their insights can be invaluable in refining your research paper.

Writing an English literature research paper is as much an art as it is a science. While meticulous research and structured writing are crucial, allowing your passion for literature to shine through will elevate your paper. Remember, literature is about exploring the human experience, and as you dissect these masterpieces, you’re not just analyzing texts but delving into profound insights about life, society, and humanity. Embrace the journey, and let every step, from research to writing, be a process of discovery.

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English literature, a tapestry woven with tales of heroism, love, tragedy, and introspection, spans over centuries, capturing the essence of an evolving nation and its people. From the ethereal romance of the Arthurian legends to the stark realism of the 20th century, the literary works of England are a testament to the country’s rich cultural and historical legacy.

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100 Best Literature Research Paper Topics For Students

literary research paper topics

Literary research paper topics are among the most interesting to write about. Books are the best teachers for most learners. And, students love reading interesting literature books. But, when asked to write research papers, most students have difficulties choosing their topics. That’s because many issues can be investigated and written about.

For instance, literary topics can be about characters’ personalities in certain works. They can also be about particular characteristics of specific literary genres. Learners can also choose literary analysis topics that focus on the life story of famous writers or poets. But, regardless of what a learner opts to write about, they should choose interesting topics.

What are Interesting Literary Research Paper Topics?

Several factors make a topic interesting to write about. A topic for a research paper or a graduate thesis should generally be definite, specific, and innovative. Also, it should be interesting to research and write about. Here’s how to select interesting literature topics:

Think about something. Explore the idea to select a topic for which you can find sufficient research data from credible sources. Narrow down your subject if you find it too broad.

English literature topics can be classified into different categories. Here some of these categories and topics can be considered in each category.

Great World Literature Research Topics

Perhaps, you’ve been asked to write a literature research paper with a global perspective. Here are some of the literary analysis research paper topics that you can consider.

  • Explain how the supernatural and spirituality help in furthering the development of the plot in the Latin American literature of the early 20th century.
  • What themes are common in the Japanese poems of the early 20th century? How do they differ from those of the early 19th century?
  • Compare the early Chinese literary works and European literary works of the middle ages. How different or alike are they?
  • How were European literary works in the early 20th century shaped by the revolutionary works of Engels and Marx? What examples can demonstrate this influence?
  • Explain how the Muslim philosophers’ work of the 15th century led to new ideas and inventions across the globe.
  • Compare and contrast different anti-British works that originated in India in the 19th century with pro-colonialist works that came from England at the same time.
  • How did the nightmarish utopian future ideas of Aldous Huxley influence modern-day science fiction writers across the world?
  • Explain how the Antigone play by Sophocles deals with the conflict between the central characters while relating to the state laws and individual conscience.
  • How are the sentiments of the authors reflected in Animal Farm by George Orwell and concerns about the October Revolution?
  • Explain some of the examples of literary fiction pieces that have shaped cultures in the world. Have historic, societal, and cultural factors played some roles in shaping these literature pieces?
  • Being a prolific writer in the early and mid-19th century, Charles Dickens’s works were published in serialized forms. How and why has this approach become less fashionable?
  • Compare and contrast the early Japanese literature works and the early Chinese literature works. How do they differ in terms of values and culture?
  • Explain how comedy differs in literature across cultures. What comedy appeared in the early theatrical performances and it’s still present in modern literature?
  • Analyze chivalry and honor critically in the Green Knight and Sir Gawain. What are the qualities of these works from a similar period?
  • Compare and contrast the Odyssey and Iliad by Homer the Ancient Greek. Explain how cultures across the world have adapted the themes presented in the poem.

Top Literary topics for Research Paper

Some topics for literary analysis stand out among students. These are topics that educators recommend for students across the study levels.

  • How is literature an aspect of modern culture?
  • Explain how feminism has influenced modern literature
  • How is psychology utilized in literature?
  • Explain the major social issues that have been exposed by literary works
  • Explain the philosophical tradition of Daoism in the Chinese literature
  • Explain the roles played by death and honor in Japanese literature in the 20th century
  • Explain how the European culture influences the Mid-West literature
  • How has European culture affected modern literature?
  • Analyze the personality of Don Quixote
  • Explain how literature differs between countries.
  • Discuss poetry in the innovative ear of the 21st century
  • Examine racism in the novels of the 1960s and 1970s
  • Explain the exile’s perception in literature
  • Literature and culture? Which one affects the other?
  • How has literature addressed homosexuality?

These can also be great literary debate topics. That’s because learners can have varying opinions about them.

British Literature Research Paper Topics

Students have many topics to choose from when it comes to British literature essay topics. Here are some of the best literature topics from the works of British authors.

  • Discuss Victorian England’s picture with the works of Charles Dickens in mind
  • Discuss the theme of Orphans with the Oliver Twist character in mind
  • Explain how British Literature has influenced different cultures
  • Explain how British literature has addressed gender issues
  • Explain how King Lear highlights the differences between anti-heroes and villains
  • Explain William Shakespeare’s personality- Highlight facts and myths
  • Choose two famous British novels and then compare the characters in them
  • Explain the viewpoint of different writers about the Utopian civilization idea
  • With Harry Potter books in mind, explain why some literature books are considered classics
  • Explain how love and romantic love are presented in Charlotte Bronte’s works
  • Explain how modern literary works have been affected by the Victorian period works
  • Discuss the adultery theme in Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne
  • Who are the main characters in Lake Poets’ works?
  • Explain how violent imagery was used in World War I poetry
  • Explain talent as a theme in Milton’s on His Blindness
  • Explain innocence loss in William Golding’s Lord of the Flies
  • Explain the theme of individualism versus collectivism in Oliver Twist
  • Explain why the popularity of detective novels increased in the XIX century
  • What role did the supernatural play in Macbeth: a case study of three witches
  • Class demarcation in XVII century- The vengeance theme

American Literature Topics

Some teachers ask students to choose American literature research topics for certain reasons. If asked to write on such topics, here are some of the American literature research paper topics to consider.

  • Analyze key aspects of American ideology, particularly in the literature written before the 20th century.
  • Determine thematic concerns and literary styles of the major historical period of American literature between the colonial period and post-modernism.
  • Show the American identity uniqueness of texts
  • Propose connections between the American literature concerns and themes in the larger historical development and social issues that face the present world
  • Examine major concerns and themes that reappear across the American literature
  • Highlight the major themes in Absalom, Absalom by William Faulkner
  • Explain the African American Experience with female authors like Alice Walker, Zora Neal Hurston, and Toni Morrison
  • Explain the predominant theme in The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
  • Explain how Jonathan Edwards epitomizes Puritan definitions in his sermons
  • Explain the use of historical personalities and events by Washington Irving as the background for his works
  • The Crucible demonstrates how a community can be torn apart by hysteria. Explain
  • Explain how Sylvia Plath demonstrates the social pressure faced by women in the 1960s in the Bell Jar.
  • Explain how John Knowles demonstrates the impact of war on everyone
  • Explain the strong belief in the education power by Maya Angelou as depicted in I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
  • Explain how Thornton Wilder conveys life as a gift in Our Town
  • Discuss the themes of anger and pity in the Grapes of Wrath
  • Explain how Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck portrays the Great Depression struggles
  • Discuss the portrayal of the unconquerable spirit in Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway.
  • Plays by Eugene O’Neil are tragically realistic. Explain
  • God is humanized in The Creation poem by James Weldon Johnson. Explain

Some of the ideas here are great poetry topics. Nevertheless, they require careful research and analysis to write about.

High School Literary Essay Topics

Some topics in literature are ideal for high school essays. Here are examples of literary analysis paper topics for high school students.

  • Compare and contrast the major characters in your preferred book
  • Choose your favorite character in a book and explain your reasons for liking it
  • Please explain why the quality of a literature book is not determined by its length
  • Highlight the similarities of your favorite books
  • Discuss the top 4 authors in horror books
  • Explain why reading some books is more difficult than reading others
  • Explain what it takes to write a high-quality poem
  • Who is your favorite poet and why?
  • Explain what makes your favorite book interesting
  • Who is your favorite character in literary works and why?
  • What makes some literature books difficult to read?
  • Who are your favorite top 5 authors and why?
  • Should the age of readers be restricted to some books?
  • What is your favorite literary genre?
  • Explain why the author determines the quality of a book more than the story
  • Discuss the literary works of your favorite authors
  • Why is it important to captivate readers with the introductory chapter of a book?
  • Which book genre makes great movies?
  • Why is the work of Harry Potter so popular?
  • Explain why your favorite horror book is scary

Unique Research Topics in English Literature

Some literature research topics are unique and can be written about by learners at different study levels. Here are examples of such topics.

  • Analyze the use of literary devices in novels
  • Discuss the author’s autobiography
  • Analyze literary genres and the role played by an artist in them
  • Compare the works of a similar genre
  • Highlight the gender roles of characters in literary works
  • Social stratification and Harry Potter- Discuss
  • With Charles Dickens’ work in mind, explain the peculiarity of the bildungsroman genre.
  • Explain how The Lord of the Rings uses artificial language
  • Explain how the Sherlock Holmes image influences the world of detective fiction
  • Explain the war theme in the world literature

These are also great literary journalism topics. Nevertheless, they require extensive research to write about.

In a nutshell, students have many literary argument topics to consider. The most important thing is to choose an interesting topic that you can find sufficient data to write about. Also, don’t hesitate to check our history topics .

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Are you looking for an engaging literary research paper topic? Whether you're writing a college-level essay or a master's thesis, the right literature research paper topics can make all the difference. They range from exploring particular genres or authors to examining the use of language in literary works. By researching these topics, you will gain a greater understanding of the ideas, improve your critical thinking skills, and learn to appreciate the nuances. This article will explore such literature topics for research and open up endless possibilities for analysis and interpretation, ranging from classic to modern-day texts. Are you ready to choose a trending topic and write a paper that will win your professor’s heart? 

What Are Literary Research Paper Topics?

Literary research paper topics focus on a particular literary work, such as a book, poem, novel, play, or story. They provide a great starting point for researching the specific aspect you're planning to explore for a better perception of the idea and help to eliminate any artificial facet. Literary research topics may analyze a single text, compare different writings by the same author, or contrast different authors' styles.  Common literature topics for research papers comprise symbolism, characterization, themes, plot structure, historical context, point-of-view analysis, biographical contexts, and intertextual connections. These research paper topics may also focus on how an author has been interpreted or evaluated over time, analyzing the critical reception of their works and examining any changes within literary canonization. Additionally, these topics can explore how literary works intersect with other disciplines, such as philosophy, psychology, sociology, politics, or economics.

Characteristics of Good Literature Research Paper Topics

Literary research paper topics are usually considered good when they are:

  • Relevant They should be engaging, thought-provoking, and appropriate to the academic work.
  • Specific Similarly, good literature research topics must have a narrow focus and not be overly broad.
  • Interesting They should pique your interest and encourage you to explore and aspire to know more about the literary work.
  • Challenging Deep analysis, thoughtful reflection, and creative thinking are also vital.
  • Unique They should be memorable and offer new insights into academic work.

With these important characteristics of literary topics for research papers in mind, you're ready to start writing!

How to Choose a Literature Research Paper Topic?

Choosing a literature research paper topic can be daunting, but with careful thought and planning, you're sure to find the perfect one. In order to do this, you need to complete the following:

  • Brainstorm: First, start by brainstorming topics that interest you. Think about the works you've been studying, authors and genres you enjoy reading, and themes that have resonated with you.
  • Narrow it down: Once you've identified a few research topics that intrigue you, narrow them down to one that is most relevant and specific.
  • Research: Explore if it is relevant. This will guarantee that you have enough material to work with.
  • Refine: Once you have researched, refine your topic to ensure it is specific and engaging. Consider the most interesting aspects and how they can be explored further.
  • Choose: Finally, choose the title that best reflects your interests and passions for an enjoyable research experience!

With these tips, you can find the perfect literary research paper topic! Don’t have time for reading piles of books? Get professional help with research paper writing from StudyCrumb and have your study completed by a real pro.

List of Literature Research Paper Topics

A list of literature topics for research offers a wide range of literary-related issues that can be explored and studied for your project. It includes ideas that could spark your creativity and help you choose the best title. Whether you're interested in exploring the works of Shakespeare or examining modern literature, this list of literary research paper topics has something for everyone!

  • Use of symbolism in romantic poetry.
  • Importance of technology within cyberpunk genres.
  • Impact of fantasy on contemporary culture.
  • Representation of male or female authors as represented by classic literary works.
  • Postmodernist views of time and space in literature.
  • Representation of race and ethnicity within contemporary fiction.
  • Representation of LGBTQ characters in literary works.
  • The role of mythology during the era of ancient works.
  • Social media impact on modern texts.
  • Classic and contemporary literary criticism.

Interesting Literary Research Paper Topics

If you are interested in classic books or modern trends, these ideas can be a fascinating starting point for your project. They include theories, criticism, comparison, and specific authors or genres. Besides providing an analysis of the work, a literary research paper topic could also comprise examining different themes. Explore the following interesting literature topics for your project:

  • Literary influences of Jane Austen's works.
  • Symbolism as represented by gothic texts.
  • Relevance of classic mythology within contemporary fiction.
  • The role of magic or fantasy in children's literature.
  • The role of women in Victorian literature.
  • Representation of race and ethnicity in early 20th-century literature.
  • Themes of love and loss in romantic poetry.
  • The use of horror genres in contemporary fiction.
  • Postcolonialism's impact on literary works.
  • Nature in 19th-century literature .
  • Representation of LGBTQ characters as represented by contemporary fiction.
  • Technology's impact on modern literary works.
  • Classic and contemporary interpretations of gothic texts.
  • The role of magic and fantasy in modern literary works.
  • Representation of death and loss in 20th-century works.

Great Literature Research Paper Topics

A list of great literature research topics provides a variety of ideas related to literary works. These research topics in literature can offer an exciting starting point for your English paper:

  • Rebellion themes in Shakespeare's tragedies.
  • Class and economic status in Victorian texts.
  • Symbolism in romantic poetry.
  • Impact of British imperialism on literary fiction worldwide.
  • Gender and sexuality representation in early 20th-century writings.
  • Postcolonialism in 19th-century fiction.
  • The literary influence of WWII on modern writings.
  • Vampires' role in gothic literary texts.
  • Use of fantasy in childhood writings.
  • Technology's impact on contemporary literary works.
  • Race and ethnicity as represented by postmodern fiction.
  • Religion in romantic poetry.
  • Themes of love and loss in 20th-century texts.
  • Horror genres in literary fiction.
  • Postmodernism's impact on contemporary literary works.

Unique Literature Research Paper Topics

Unique literature topics for research papers can help students explore new concepts and gain a deeper understanding of their subject. Below are rare literature paper topics for you to review:

  • The role of jealousy in 17th-century literary works.
  • Gender identity as represented by reformist fiction.
  • Mythological figures as portrayed by Greek and Roman poetry.
  • The relationship between gender and power in Shakespeare's plays.
  • Themes of isolation in 20th-century British poetry.
  • Metaphors in the works of Gabriel García Márquez .
  • Themes of rebellion and revolution in African American literary texts.
  • The role of women in medieval romance literature.
  • Poverty representation in Victorian novels.
  • Themes of oppression and freedom in colonial Latin American texts.
  • Use of metaphor and allegory in Dante's divine comedy.
  • Influence of industrialization on 19th-century fiction.
  • Dystopian settings within modern literature.
  • Religion in contemporary fiction.

Spotted any ideas for your literature research paper? Now it’s time to compose your study. Leave us ‘ do my research paper ’ notice and get a professional writer to work on your project. 

Controversial Literary Research Paper Topics

Controversial literary research topics can provide students with an opportunity to explore complex and sometimes contentious issues related to literary texts. Find below a controversial literary research paper topic for your dream English project!

  • Racial stereotypes during 19th-century English literature.
  • Themes of sexuality and desire in ancient Greek poetry.
  • The relationship between political power and language in Shakespeare's plays.
  • Conflict representation during 20th-century English fiction.
  • English role in colonial Indian literature.
  • Gender and racial representations within African American autobiographies.
  • Themes of justice and control in Victorian English novels.
  • Themes of oppression and resistance in feminist texts.
  • The role of English in modern Japanese fiction.
  • Themes of identity and belonging in postcolonial Indian literature.
  • Censorship, free speech, and social responsibility in 19th-century English novels.
  • Politics and power representations in Latin American poetry.
  • Gender, race, and class representations in English renaissance drama.
  • English as a tool for political ideology within the works of George Orwell.
  • Language used to defy authority during modern fiction writing.

Fresh Literature Research Paper Ideas

Coming up with fresh ideas for literature research topics can be daunting. Students may want to look at the works they have studied or venture outside the traditional reading list and explore different authors and genres. Some literature research paper ideas comprise studying how certain authors influenced the literary movement, analyzing how language has been used throughout history, or examining gender, race, and class representations from a literary text. Here is a perfect list of fresh ideas!

  • Aesthetics as presented by postmodern fiction.
  • The theme of loss as portrayed by African authors .
  • Use of language throughout history.
  • Identity and belonging representation in contemporary young adult fiction.
  • The intersection between art and literature in modern poetry.
  • Themes of authority, rebellion, and revolution in medieval epic poetry.
  • Role of fantasy in horror fiction.
  • Gender, race, and class representations within British romanticism.
  • American literary realism and naturalism.
  • Influence of symbolism on French modernist poetry.
  • Construction of memory within African American autobiographies.
  • Representation of narrative time in Latin American fiction.
  • Social injustice theme during early 20th-century American drama.
  • The relationship between social identity and language during postcolonial fiction.
  • Values and beliefs representations as presented by ancient Greek mythology.

Literature Research Paper Topics for Students

For students looking for research topics in literature for study, there is a wide variety of options available. Depending on the level and course, they might focus on analyzing particular authors, literary movements, or genres, exploring the use of language throughout history, or examining representations of gender, race, and class in books. You also need to study literary devices and their effects on readers when exploring literary topics for a research paper . Below are examples of literature topics for different students:

Literature Research Paper Topics for High School

These are literature topics to research, specifically tailored to high school students. They involve exploring the influence of literary work on culture, analyzing a single author's literary movement or genre, or investigating language use throughout history. This list of research topics in literature for high school provides an original starting point for your literary project!

  • Racism as presented during early 20th-century works.
  • Social criticism within contemporary dystopian young adult fiction.
  • Folklore's impact on contemporary poetry.
  • Representation of nature in modern literature.
  • Spirituality as portrayed by reformist literature.
  • Social class representation within postmodern novels.
  • The theme of environment in romantic works.
  • Colonialism representation during postcolonial works.
  • Effects of pop culture on modern fiction.
  • Mental illness representation during 19th-century poetry.
  • The role of music and art in early 20th-century literary texts.
  • Literature's influence on identity building in minority cultures.
  • Family dynamics in postmodern poetry.
  • Family and community representations during gothic fiction.
  • Literature as a tool for social change.

Literature Research Paper Topics for College Students

These titles entail more serious and in-depth scrutiny than a high school literary paper. A college-level literary research paper topic provides students with a broader range of analysis. It encompasses looking at literature as a form of political commentary to get its relationship with other art forms. Below are literature research paper topics for college students:

  • Identity construction during postmodern poetry.
  • Alienation themes within modern fiction.
  • Gender role representations in Shakespearean tragedies.
  • The relationship between narrative and memory within Holocaust literature.
  • Nature's role in contemporary American fiction.
  • Authority and subversion themes during the early 20th-century drama.
  • Race, class, and gender representation within African American autobiographies.
  • Social media influence the literary language.
  • The relationship between social identity and language in postcolonial fiction.
  • Values as presented by ancient Greek mythology .
  • Psychological distress during 20th-century war narratives.
  • Attitudes towards mental illness as portrayed by gothic texts.
  • The relationship between science and literary imagination.
  • Social hierarchy within Victorian novels.
  • Religion's role in southern American literature.

Literary Research Paper Topics by Categories

Research paper topics for literature by category offer an exclusive and stimulating perspective on literary analysis worldwide. They can be grouped into literary movements, authors, and genres, as well as topics related to language and history. If you are interested in European, American, and English literature topics, these ideas will help you find the perfect literary research paper topic for your project.

World Literature Research Paper Topics

Research paper topics for world literature allow students to explore literary works from any part of the world, including texts written in English, Spanish, and other languages. Below is a list that provides original world literature research topics for any project:

  • Impact of colonialism on native literary traditions.
  • Gender representation within French literature.
  • Religion's role within literary works from Latin America.
  • Symbolism in English poetry from the 19th century.
  • Themes of nationalism within modern Russian fiction.
  • Power and politics in Spanish plays.
  • Conflict as portrayed by African literature.
  • The role of folklore within Chinese fiction.
  • Themes of cultural identity in Japanese drama.
  • Family ties in Italian poetry.
  • Symbolism in Arabic literature.
  • Social class representation in Indian novels.
  • Impact of globalization on middle eastern fiction.
  • Human rights themes by contemporary Australian poets.
  • Western representations of other cultures in modern literature.

American Literature Research Paper Topics

In research paper topics for American literature, you examine the works of early American writers and poets, as well as those from later periods. Here is a list of American literature topics for your paper!

  • Attitudes towards race in early American novels.
  • Colonialism during 19th-century poetry.
  • Freedom and rebellion themes within revolutionary literature.
  • The emergence of gothic horror in American fiction.
  • Impact of transcendentalism on American writing.
  • Gender representation during pre-civil war literature .
  • Themes of morality in post-World War II American fiction.
  • Role of religion during 19th-century American novels.
  • Slavery and its abolition by American poets.
  • Social class representation during early American drama.
  • Themes of identity in postmodern American fiction.
  • Industrialization of 20th-century literature.
  • War and conflict representation by contemporary American playwrights.
  • Racism in 20th-century American novels.
  • Assimilation and immigration themes in post-World War II American literature.

British Literature Research Paper Topics

In British literature research topics, you explore works from early British writers to contemporary authors. Ideally, research topics for British literature should encompass works written by authors from all eras, including Medieval, Renaissance, and modern. Here is a list of English literature research paper topics for your perfect essay!

  • Gender representation during medieval English literature.
  • Colonialism's effects on British literary works during the 18th century.
  • Influence of British writers on modern literature.
  • The role of nature in 18th-century British novels.
  • Interpretations of classic British literary works.
  • Social class representations during 19th-century British fiction.
  • Themes of love and romance within Victorian literature.
  • Industrialization's impact on 20th-century British novels.
  • Patriotism and nationalism during post-World War II literary work.
  • Multiculturalism representations in postmodern British fiction.
  • Effects of censorship on British authors during the 20th century.
  • Mental health representation in modern British poetry.
  • Representation of historical events in British works throughout time.
  • Technological representations in 21st-century British Novels.
  • Intersectionality by contemporary British playwrights.

Did you know that you can generate a bunch of title ideas using our Research Paper Topic Generator ?

European Literary Research Paper Topics

European literature research paper topics offer an excellent opportunity to explore the works of European authors. They allow you to study and analyze the academic traditions and cultures of some of Europe's most influential writers. You can find such literary research paper topic ideas in the list below:

  • Representations of the European monarchy in classic novels.
  • Censorship effects on European authors during the 20th century.
  • Impact of World War II on European authors.
  • Gender representations within Victorian poetry.
  • Literary works from different countries and cultures in Europe.
  • Use of language, symbolism, and imagery to explore themes in European texts.
  • Themes of nature and environment within German short stories.
  • Technology representations in late Victorian poetry.
  • Popular culture's influence on European literary movements from the 20th century to modern times.
  • Impact of European literary works on people's perceptions of other cultures.
  • Use of supernatural elements within European gothic writings from the 18th to 19th centuries.
  • Identity representations in French social realism texts.
  • Technology's impact on contemporary European literary works.
  • Family and community representations during post-war theater.
  • Themes of justice and injustice within European dystopian texts.

Literature Research Paper Ideas by Periods

You may aspire to find literature topics for research papers from different historical periods. This involves studying literature from various cultures or eras, such as ancient, medieval, or modern ones. These ideas also cover the examination of themes and symbols used in writings and scrutinizing characters and their development through various works. Other topics include the exploration of texts from a political perspective in relation to their historical contexts. These ideas contain some literary research topics from various periods:

Ancient Literary Research Paper Topics

There are many exciting options to consider if you're looking for ancient literature research paper topics. They can be studied with regard to history, culture, art, and philosophy. To gain more insight, you could explore the works of Homer, Henry James, Virgil, and the Mahabharata, or old Egyptian writings, such as The Iliad and Odyssey . Below is a list of ancient literature topics for research you can choose from.

  • Gender representations in epic poetry.
  • Role of mythology and religion in ancient texts.
  • Influence of philosophy on ancient literature.
  • Power representations in Greek tragedy.
  • Heroism by early epic authors.
  • Love and marriage in ancient texts.
  • Ancient narratives of war and conflict.
  • Slavery representations in Roman poetry.
  • The role of music and art in classical literature.
  • Nature representations in ancient texts.
  • Politics' influence on Greek comedy.
  • Family and community representations in roman narratives.
  • Characters' representation in epic poetry.
  • The role of technology in early literary works.
  • Representations of the divine in ancient texts.
Read more: History Research Topics for Students 

Medieval Literature Research Paper Topics

The medieval literary study provides a unique opportunity to explore literature research topics of the Middle Ages. From Beowulf to The Canterbury Tales , these works offer insights into this era's cultural beliefs and values. Here are such literary topics for research papers to focus on:

  • Representations of medieval chivalry in literary works.
  • Religion's influence on medieval works.
  • Gender representation in medieval texts.
  • The role of magic in medieval narratives.
  • The impact of feudalism on medieval texts.
  • Honor and loyalty representations by chivalric texts.
  • The role of courtly love in medieval works.
  • Knights and warriors' representations in literary works.
  • Warfare representations in medieval texts.
  • The role of education and learning in medieval literature.

Renaissance Literary Research Paper Topics

The Renaissance literature research paper ideas explore works of literature during the Renaissance era, which spanned from the 14th to the 17th century. They focus on the themes, authors, and literature of this period to provide a better understanding of how literary works have evolved within this timeframe and their impact on our current literature. Some of the most influential figures who contributed immensely to writings during this era were William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes. If you are interested in researching this period, you can consider a literature research paper topic from the list below:

  • Love and romance representations in Renaissance texts.
  • Science and technology in 16th-century literature.
  • Class and social status representations in Renaissance literary works.
  • Classical mythology in Renaissance poetry.
  • Representations of family and community in Renaissance narratives.
  • Effects of humanism on Renaissance literature in Europe.
  • Imagery role by William Shakespeare .
  • Representations of art, music, and theater in Renaissance texts.
  • Politics' role in 16th-century literary texts.
  • Nature representation by John Milton or Torquato Tasso.
  • Exploration influence on Renaissance narratives.
  • Influence of Renaissance literature on modern writing.
  • Women's representation in literary texts by Anne Bradstreet or Aphra Behn.
  • Magic and supernatural representations in literary works of Renaissance.
  • Humanism and individualism themes within Renaissance literature.

Romantic Literature Research Paper Ideas

Romantic literature emerged during the late 18th century and flourished throughout the early 19th century in Europe. It is characterized by its focus on emotion and depictions of nature. This movement had a lasting impact on literary works and has been highly influential. Research topics in literature can explore the writings of authors such as Lord Byron, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and William Wordsworth. Here are some ideas related to romanticism:

  • Nature representations in Romantic texts.
  • The role of emotion as depicted in 19th-century literature.
  • Influence of Romantic authors on modern literature and culture.
  • Women's representation in Romantic narratives.
  • Industrialization impact on 19th-century texts.
  • Influence of religion and superstition in early Romantic texts.
  • Use of technology to discuss themes in Romantic texts from the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
  • The role of education as portrayed by Romantic narratives.
  • Character analysis and plot structure in gothic fiction.
  • Nationalism and patriotism as represented by post-Napoleonic war poems.

Modernist Literary Research Paper Topics

Modern literature emerged during the early 20th century until the end of World War II. It is characterized by a rejection of traditional conventions and focused on experimentation with form. This movement had an unprecedented impact on literature research topics and is highly influential today. If you are looking for literary topics for research papers that focus on modernism, consider exploring the following:

  • Nature representations by modern texts.
  • Social inequality in 21st-century novels.
  • Modernism's influence on current literature and culture.
  • Climate change within contemporary fiction.
  • Impact of social injustice on 20th-century literary works.
  • Urbanization representations by modern literary texts.
  • Education's influence on modernist narratives.
  • Wealth and power in early modernist texts.
  • Themes of urban life by Ezra Pound or Wallace Stevens.
  • Modernism's impact on classical literature.
  • Globalization themes within postmodern poetry.
  • Multiculturalism themes in contemporary literary works.
  • Mental health representations in modern British novels.
  • Global conflict representation in modern fiction.
  • The influence of psychoanalysis on modernist literature.

Current Literature Research Paper Ideas

Current literature paper topics can look at the latest trends. They include exploring contemporary works such as Harry Potter by J.K Rowling and Stardust by Neil Gaiman. These topics may also involve analyzing social media's effects on literary writings. If you are looking for current literary topics for a research paper, consider the following:

  • Technological impact on literary works in the 21st century.
  • Art, music, and theater in modern texts.
  • Impact of conflict on recent literary works.
  • Social injustice in 21st-century narratives.
  • Racism, ethnicity, and slavery in contemporary texts.
  • Wealth and power in recent literary works.
  • Globalization themes in postmodern poetry.
  • Urbanization in modern writings.
  • Immigration within postmodern British novels.

In case you need more paper topics, feel free to browse our blog. We have a wide arsenal of ideas starting from philosophy research paper topics to education research paper topics .  

Bottom Line on Literature Research Paper Topics

Literature topics for research can explore a wide range of themes and works. Whether you are looking for visionary ideas about poetry, fiction, or books from different eras, there is no shortage of literature paper topics to choose from. To narrow down your focus and find the best idea for your project, consider researching literary movements, reading widely, and thinking about the areas that interest you most.  Literature topics for research papers should be chosen based on students' interests and areas of expertise. By conducting in-depth research, you will gain a greater appreciation for literary work and its impact on society. With this article as a guide, you can take the time to find a topic that speaks to you and create an engaging research paper.

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221 Awesome Literary Research Paper Topics To Choose From

literary research paper topics

Are you looking for the best literary research paper topic or wondering how to choose a topic for a literary research paper? You are at the right place. The hardest part of doing research is getting an ideal topic. Once, you get a great topic you are good to go.

We have a great number of best-rated expert writers that can provide well-done professional papers. As students in college, we understand that high payment rates can be frustrating, that’s why we offer cheap prices for high-quality work. We offer the best help with research papers to get top grades. Browse through this variety of topics to find the best fit for you.

Literature Research Topics

Getting an ideal literature research paper topic can consume a lot of time. In this category, you will get some of the best literature research topics.

  • Discuss the American dream in literature.
  • How do religion and literature correlate?
  • Discuss the “stream of consciousness” style of literature.
  • Examine artificial languages in literature.
  • How is mythology termed in literature?
  • Discuss why Harry Potter became that popular.
  • Is it advisable for literature to be gendered?
  • Evaluate between utopian and dystopian literature.
  • Discuss the work of Shakespeare.
  • How can you rate the feminist literature – does it have a ground?
  • Evaluate the impact of the work of Shakespeare.
  • Can fan fiction be considered an independent part of literature?
  • How do clichés work in literature
  • How are the Byronic characters in literature?
  • Discuss the good and evil of studying literature.
  • The literary work during WWI
  • Evaluate the portrayal of war and peace by George Orwell.

Interesting Literature Topics

Did you know that there are interesting literature topics? They deal with the evolution of literature and how it has grown till the present time. Thinking of literature topics for research paper is challenging, so here are some more options.

  • How can you term irony and sarcasm in literature?
  • How can literature be termed as an instrument of propaganda?
  • Discuss madness in literature.
  • The influence of trickster characters in literature.
  • Discuss travel writing in the 20 th century.
  • Evaluate narrative nature and verse since 1900.
  • How has city living changed since 1900?
  • Evaluate literature as part of modern culture.
  • How are social issues exposed in literature?
  • The relation between literature and psychology.
  • The influence of European culture in the Midwest literature.
  • The differences between the literature of different countries.
  • The effect of European culture on modern literature.
  • The impact of feminism on modern culture.
  • Evaluate Japanese literature in the 20 th century.

Literature Topics for a Research Paper

In this category, you will get a wide variety of literature topics that you can use for your research. A well-written research paper will help you get top grades.

  • What can you term as the cultural production of Latina writers?
  • Discuss the representation of Ethics in literature.
  • Evaluate the famous work of Ernest Hemingway.
  • Expound on the invented languages in literature.
  • Why do you think “Harry Potter” has become so popular?
  • How is the Image of death represented as a character in literature?
  • The impact of literature on kids.
  • Is there an appropriate gender in literature?
  • Evaluate the Victorian literature.
  • Elaborate on the complete work of William Shakespeare.
  • Discuss whether fanfiction is independent literature.
  • Which are the Byronic characters in literature.
  • Elaborate irony versus sarcasm in literature.
  • How can literature be used as an instrument of propaganda?

Literature Research Paper Topics

In this category of research paper topics, you get to relate one phenomenon with the other. They are also based on some well-known novels. When thinking of literary topics for research paper, consider your scope of knowledge and interest in the topic.

  • The correlation between psychology and literature.
  • How is the construction of social identity?
  • How can you describe the settler nationhood and the wilderness in North American poetry?
  • Why does place matters to a poet?
  • Evaluate travel writing in the 20 th century and 21 st century.
  • The influence of animals in children’s literature.
  • Evaluate the importance of humor in children’s literature.
  • Discuss the best children’s novels from 1900.
  • How does young adult literature represent disability?
  • How to read to under five years old children to develop relationships and imaginations?
  • Evaluate the modern novel and psychology.
  • Define the cross-disciplinary boundaries between archaeology and English literature.
  • Evaluate the 19 th -century novel and science.
  • Evaluate how history is important in deciphering modern literature.
  • How is philosophy important to literature.

English Literature Research Paper Topics

In English literature, it focuses on how various novels, classics, or books are written to explain a certain phenomenon. Here are some literature topics that you can start with:

  • Evaluate the methods of teaching English literature.
  • Investigate modern Indian literature in English translation.
  • Evaluate women writers and the survey of English literature.
  • Investigate the impact of the Bible on English literature.
  • Evaluate the impact of the Classics on Literature.
  • Define the scope of English literature in Educating people.
  • Explain the influence of Darwin on Literature.
  • Explain medieval English literature.
  • Examine Women studies and Feminism in India.
  • Evaluate the short history of the Norton Anthology of the English language.
  • Evaluate the English Renaissance study.
  • Investigate medieval feminism in middle English Studies.
  • Evaluate women in Indian English Literature.
  • Discuss feminism and modern Indian literature.
  • Discuss the evolution of English in North America.

Topics in Literature

Literature requires full concentration to get to the bottom of a certain phenomenon. We have simplified the topics to make it easier for you to do your assignment in college.

  • Discuss Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet based on Male melodrama.
  • How as black lives matter movement influenced black literature?
  • Evaluate the contemporary refuge literature.
  • Investigate post-colonialism and climate change in literature.
  • Discuss tradition and modernity through the lens of Tagore Gora.
  • Investigate the relation between pre-independence and post-independence in Indian literature.
  • The role of African literary responses to Racism.
  • The literature on homosexuality.
  • The significance of Literature in the modern world.
  • Feminism growth in the twentieth century.
  • The effects of fairy tales perceptions in the modern era.
  • Correlation between pre-independence and post-independence Indian literature.
  • Discuss the novel, “To kill a Mockingbird from 1960”.
  • The significance of Shakespeare in the world of Literature.
  • How did the artistry of writing novels start?
  • The character analysis of Emy and Rebecca in Vanity Fair.
  • The Depiction of vampires in the 19 th and 21 st -century literature.

Research Topics in English Literature

In this category, there are comparison topics that you can analyze for your research. These are based on well-known books and novels in English.

  • Evaluate the diversity of Chaucer’s genres in tales of Canterbury.
  • The accuracy of historical novels in the document happenings.
  • How has the role of a woman changed in twentieth-century literature?
  • What effect does Milton’s paradise lost have on 17 th -century literature?
  • How have James Joyce and William Burroughs done their novels?
  • What is our modern perspective about 19 th -century novels and the general public and similar perspectives when they were first published?
  • Evaluate the less-known work of well-known writers.
  • Examine why adults find Lord of the Rings appealing.
  • How does the work of Maya Angelou play a role in African literary responses to racism?
  • Recognizing the unconscious in modernist literature.
  • Evaluate the representation of Hindu and Buddhist thought in Modern Literature.
  • The representation of abortion in British Literature.
  • Profess poetry in terms of style and faith in Hopkins.
  • Evaluate the evolution of literature in the twentieth century.
  • Describe the writing nature in the age of chemical countryside.

Literature Topics for Research Papers

These are some of the best literature topics for research papers. They require minimal effort to submit a well-written research paper.

  • The roles of gender in modern literature.
  • The importance of having animals in children’s literature.
  • Analysis of the first world war.
  • How accurate is History as described in historical novels?
  • The difference between literature in the US and Great Britain.
  • Analyze the 19 th -century poetic imagination.
  • Examine the 19 th -century poetic imagination based on astronomy.
  • How is quantum physics applied in literature?
  • What is the most important work written by William Shakespeare?
  • The Female masculinities in old English Literature.
  • The difference between modernism and realism.
  • Critical analysis of First World War poetry.
  • The analysis of the meaning of fairy tales in literature.
  • The influence on literature during the renaissance era.
  • The historical analysis of children’s literature.
  • The idea of death in Renaissance literature.
  • The historical background of Duma’s novels.

Literary Topics for a Research Paper

Literary topics are diverse. This can make it hectic to choose an appropriate one for your research paper.

  • Discuss the most important work of Shakespeare.
  • Describe the gothic novel’s gender representation.
  • The effect of social media language on learners.
  • The travails of the African woman.
  • The utilization of language activities in teaching and learning of English Language.
  • Discuss women in nation-building and influence on literature.
  • The relevance of folktale in the learning of literature.
  • The significance of drama and poetry in literature.
  • Factors affecting the choice of language in a multilingual society.
  • Comparative study of morphological processes in English.
  • Comparative study of Achebe’s “Things fall apart”.
  • The significance of proverbs in literature.
  • The influence of politics in the building of literary texts.
  • The analysis of speech in literature.
  • The analysis of threat in literature.

Research Topics in Literature

These research topics are based on various societal aspects and impacts on the world. They also deal with people’s emotions and behaviors in different contexts.

  • The nativization of English in African literary texts.
  • An analysis of the Asian theatre and influence on modern literature.
  • The examination of leadership in literature.
  • The relevance of literature in the world.
  • What is the need to study literature?
  • Evaluate the evolution of literature from the start till now.
  • Analyze the methods used in creating styles in the literature.
  • What are some of the feminist criticism of some selected Feminist works?
  • The importance of fiction in literature.
  • The relevance of emotion and narration in novel writing in literature.
  • Discuss how conflicts are brought out in literary novels.
  • What is the effect of language diversity on the development of a country?
  • Discuss the relevance of music and revolution.
  • The challenges of language on national development.
  • What is the communication medium used in literature?

Literature Paper Topics

Here are some of the best literature paper topics that you can use for your research. As long as you narrow down the research topic, getting relevant information will be easy.

  • The difference between linguistic and grammatical theories.
  • The problems related to tenses in literature.
  • The evaluation of word formation in literature.
  • The significance of poems in literature.
  • The evolution and levels of modern literature.
  • The personal happiness versus societal norms in Victorian literature.
  • The sentence structure of English literature.
  • Does the native language of a person influence adoption of a second language?
  • An analysis of problems associated with learning a second language.
  • The manifestation of non-standard usage of English among University Students.
  • The influence of rituals, music, songs, and dances in literature.
  • The poetic language and influence on the expression.
  • How can literature be termed as the vehicle for social change?
  • The syntactic problems associated with English usage.
  • The influence of society on students’ performance in literature.
  • Teaching and learning strengths in literature.

American Literature Research Paper Topics

Finding an ideal research paper topic in America’s context can consume a lot of time. Here you will find simplified topics for your research paper.

  • Discuss contemporary American Literature.
  • The African Realism and influence in Literature.
  • How did colonization influence modern literature?
  • Define 20 th -century Latin American literature.
  • Evaluate African Americans and their fight for equality in American Literature.
  • Define realism, naturalism, and modernism in African American literature.
  • Evaluate Allen Ginsberg and American Protest literature.
  • Examine American literature and society.
  • Analyze American literature in Post-World War II.
  • American Literature in the 20 th and 21 st century.
  • American literature and religious ideologies.
  • Anne Bradstreet’s contribution to American Literature.
  • The influence of Asian American literature.
  • Evaluate the color interpretations in the great Gatsby.
  • The common themes in American Literature.

Literature Research Paper Topics for College Students

Are you a college student looking for an ideal literature research paper? Here are some topics for you!

  • Provide your understanding of censorship in American Literature.
  • Evaluate black American women writers and their influence on the world.
  • Architectural imagery in 20 th century African American literature.
  • How do characters lose their innocence in literature?
  • The different modes of communication in literature.
  • The conversation of American Sign Language in literature.
  • How are dialects and death shown in literature?
  • How does Literature portray American culture?
  • How does self-verification occur in African American Literature?
  • The generational divide and impact on modern literature.
  • The establishment of traditional excellence.
  • Explore the modern literature.
  • How can you define masculinity in literature?
  • The impact of World War I on American literature.
  • The significance of African American literature addressing the black experience.
  • The male and female characters in Beowulf.
  • The relationship between mother and daughter in Beloved.

Literature Review Topics Examples

Do you know how to do a literature review on various topics? Try any of this and see your proficiency in the sector.

  • A literature review on rational and rationality.
  • A literature review on dependence and development.
  • A literature review on resource scarcity in the modern world.
  • A literature review on pop culture.
  • A literature review on Feminist international relations.
  • A literature review on complex organizations and regimes.
  • A literature review on censorship in TV shows.
  • A literature review on global warming and its influence on mankind.
  • Literature review on why children’s books are popular.
  • A literature review on how authors choose writing styles.
  • The use of artificial language in literature.
  • How education affects literature per era.
  • The most effective villains in literature.
  • How does Shakespeare inspire modern authors?
  • Propaganda and literature in the modern world.
  • Toni Morrison’s views on the civil way
  • The concept of war in the book; a fable by Faulkner.

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research questions in english literature

100 Best Literary Research Topics – Fresh Perspectives on Literature Pieces

Selecting the right literature topics for a research paper work can be challenging due to the wealth of literary works and themes available. To find the perfect topic, focus on your personal character interests, the scope of your assignment, and the availability of resources or requirements of American universities. Reflect on the literary periods, authors, or themes that captivate you, and investigate potential questions or ideas related to them. Seeking guidance from your instructor or peers can also be beneficial, as can browsing academic journals, literary critiques, or scholarly databases to discover trending literature research paper topics or ongoing debates in the literary and cultural field.

How to Understand If a Topic Is Good?

Choose literary topics for research paper works that genuinely interest you ensure there is a sufficient amount of primary and secondary sources, and contribute to the existing body of knowledge. You need to determine if literary research topics in history are suitable for your literary research paper, consider the factors: interest and engagement with the literary research topic, the scope and maintenance of the subject.

Test it with an Outline

You need to create a preliminary outline for your paper, organizing your ideas and potential arguments logically. Together with our research paper writing service , you gain the success results. In another way, you can concentrate on the text`s main points and reveal the literary research topics intricacy, pertinence, and scope.

Write a Thesis Statement

Craft a premise statement that encapsulates your central argument and offers a fresh perspective on your chosen literature research paper ideas to ensure it is neither overly broad. An effective premise statement should be clear, concise, and debatable, sparking further discussion and analysis, and if you feel troubled with managing this task our website writes for you any essay .

List of Literature Research Topics

When choosing literary research topics, consider exploring various spheres of interest that offer diverse subjects for examination. For instance, focus on the works of specific authors, the characteristics of a particular literary period, or the themes and poetry that recur across different eras. Delve into the representation of historical and social issues in literary research topics, such as gender roles, race, or mental health, and investigate how to make the list of the best research paper topics . By examining American literature research topics, you can find literature topics for research that resonates with your interests and contributes to the existing body of literary knowledge. Additionally, you may explore genres like science fiction or magical poetry, examining their impact on society and culture. Investigating the relationship between literature and other disciplines, such as philosophy, psychology, or history, can also yield fascinating American or British lit research paper topics.

British Literature Research Paper Topics

You can investigate captivating elements of literary research paper topics through an array of research work topics. By scrutinizing distinct themes, genres, and historical eras, you can profoundly comprehend the multifaceted and diverse landscape of English literary research subjects and their impact on American authors. This exploration allows you to broaden your knowledge, develop critical thinking skills, and foster a genuine appreciation for the creative and intellectual contributions within the field of English literature research topics.

  • Gender Roles in Shakespeare’s Plays.
  • Power Representation in Jane Austen’s Novels.
  • Love and Marriage in John Donne’s Poetry.
  • Gothic literature’s influence on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.
  • Imperialism in Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness.
  • Symbolism in William Golding’s Lord of the Flies.
  • Nature’s Role in William Wordsworth’s Poetry.
  • Social Class in George Eliot’s Middlemarch.
  • Supernatural Elements in Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
  • World War I’s Impact on Early 20th-Century Literature.

American Literature Topics

From iconic novels to influential authors, these literary research topics encompass the essence of American identity, history, and culture. Unravel the complexities of this vast literary landscape as you delve into themes of race, ethnicity, the American Dream, and more, uncovering the unique perspectives and voices that have shaped and defined American literature throughout the centuries.

  • The American Identity in Toni Morrison’s Beloved.
  • The American Dream in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby.
  • The American Symbolism in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter.
  • Race and ethnicity in James Baldwin’s Go Tell It on the Mountain.
  • The American Slavery in Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin.
  • Road Trip in Jack Kerouac’s On the Road.
  • Magical Realism in Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude.
  • The American Civil Rights Movement’s Impact on 1960s American Literature.
  • The American Religion in Flannery O’Connor’s works.
  • The American West in Cormac McCarthy’s Blood Meridian.

Science Fiction Literary Research Essay Topics

With these topics, you can delve into a myriad of literary research topics that explore the depths of futuristic societies, alternate realities, and advanced technology. Unearth the themes, symbolism, and socio-political commentary embedded within these stories, fostering a deeper appreciation for the power and allure of sci-fi literary research topics.

  • Artificial Intelligence in Asimov’s “I, Robot” and Dick’s “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?”
  • Dystopia in Orwell’s “1984” and Huxley’s “Brave New World.”
  • Alienation in Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451” and Vonnegut’s “Cat’s Cradle.”
  • Time Travel in Wells’ “The Time Machine” and L’Engle’s “A Wrinkle in Time.”
  • Genetic Engineering in Huxley’s “Brave New World” and Atwood’s “Oryx and Crake.”
  • Environmentalism in Herbert’s “Dune” and Butler’s “Parable of the Sower.”
  • Virtual Reality in Gibson’s “Neuromancer” and Stephenson’s “Snow Crash.”
  • Post-apocalyptic settings in McCarthy’s “The Road” and Mandel’s “Station Eleven.”
  • Identity in Le Guin’s “The Left Hand of Darkness” and Delany’s “Dhalgren.”
  • Extraterrestrial Life in Clarke’s “2001: A Space Odyssey” and Lem’s “Solaris.”

High School Literary Research Essay Topics

These subjects should be carefully selected for their relevance and appeal, they provide the perfect foundation for developing critical thinking, analytical skills, and a love for literature. Discover thought-provoking issues relevant to high school readers with these high school literary research topics. By delving into contemporary literary research topics that resonate with teenage audiences, you can foster a greater appreciation for literature and its impact on young minds.

  • Mental Illness in Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye” and Plath’s “The Bell Jar.”
  • Symbolism in Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter” and its relevance today.
  • Identity and Self-Discovery in Baldwin’s “Go Tell It on the Mountain” and Walker’s “The Color Purple.”
  • Racism and inequality in Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird” and Morrison’s “The Bluest Eye.”
  • Nature and Symbolism in Bronte’s “Wuthering Heights” and Frost’s works.
  • Isolation and Loneliness in Steinbeck’s “Of Mice and Men” and Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire.”
  • Gender Roles in Bronte’s “Jane Eyre” and Chopin’s “The Awakening.”
  • Magical Realism in Marquez’s “One Hundred Years of Solitude” and Allende’s “The House of the Spirits.”
  • War and its effects in Hemingway’s “A Farewell to Arms” and Vonnegut’s “Slaughterhouse-Five.”
  • The American Dream in Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby” and Miller’s “Death of a Salesman.”

Modernist Literature Research Paper Topics

Discover interesting literature topics of self-discovery, rebellion, and experimental styles that resonate with teenagers, while gaining an understanding of the cultural and historical influences that fuelled this revolutionary movement. Fell the groundbreaking literary movements in these modernist research topics in literature and chose the best one for you.

  • Fragmentation in Modernist Literature: Joyce’s Ulysses and Eliot’s The Waste Land.
  • Modernist Literature and Trauma: Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway and Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises.
  • World War I’s Influence on Modernist Literature: Owen’s Works and Ford’s Parade’s End.
  • Time in Modernist Literature: Proust’s In Search of Lost Time and Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury.
  • Women’s Role in Modernist Literature: Barnes’ Nightwood and Rhys’ Wide Sargasso Sea.
  • Identity in Modernist Literature: Baldwin’s Go Tell It on the Mountain and Ellison’s Invisible Man.
  • Stream of Consciousness in Modernist Literature: Mansfield’s “Bliss” and Woolf’s To the Lighthouse.
  • Modernist Literature and the City: Pound’s “In a Station of the Metro” and Eliot’s “Preludes.”
  • Modernist Literature and the Movement: Pound’s The Cantos and H.D.’s Trilogy.
  • The “Lost Generation” in Modernist Literature: Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises and Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby.

Renaissance Literature Research Paper Topics

The era, characterized by a remarkable resurgence in culture, art, and intellectual pursuits, has impacted the trajectory of human civilization. Uncover the rich tapestry of the revival literary research topics for your literary research paper.

  • Love in Shakespeare’s Sonnets
  • Women in Twelfth Night and the Duchess of Malfi
  • Humanism in Utopia and Petrarch’s Sonnets
  • Fate in Romeo and Juliet and Doctor Faustus
  • Courtly Love in the Faerie Queene and Astrophil and Stella
  • Classical Themes in Julius Caesar and Dido, Queen of Carthage
  • Reformation in Paradise Lost and the Temple
  • Power in Macbeth and The Revenger’s Tragedy
  • Revival Influence on Hamlet and the Spanish Tragedy
  • Kingship between Richard II and Edward II

Controversial Literature Research Paper Topics

Debate and analyze character issues in literature with these controversial literature literary research topics. These subjects allow you to explore literary research topics, ethical dilemmas, and social commentaries within literary works, providing an opportunity for intellectual growth and open dialogue.

  • Mental Illness Portrayal in Literature: Helpful or Harmful?
  • Cultural Appropriation in Literature Ethics.
  • Racial Slurs Use in Literature Controversy.
  • Trigger Warnings in Literature and Free Speech Impact.
  • Censorship Effects on Literature and Society.
  • Authorial Intent Ethics in Literary Interpretation.
  • Sexuality Representation in Literature Controversy.
  • Violence against Women’s Portrayal in Literature and Society’s Impact.
  • Cancel Culture’s Impact on Literature and Publishing.
  • Literary Classics Value Debate in Modern Society.

World Literature Research Topics

Embark on a literary journey around the globe with these World literary research topics.

  • War Depiction in Global Literature
  • Novel Evolution in Different Cultures
  • Immigration and Diaspora in Literature
  • Love and Relationships in Global Literature
  • Colonialism’s Impact on Global Literature
  • Mythology in Global Literature
  • Cultural Identity in International Literature
  •  Political Oppression and Resistance Themes
  • Eastern Philosophy’s Influence on Western Literature
  • Spirituality and Religion in Global Literature

Literature Research Paper Topics for Students

These literary research topics are designed to challenge students’ critical thinking and analytical skills while fostering a deeper appreciation for literature.

  • Technology’s Impact on Contemporary Literature.
  • LGBTQ+ Community Portrayal in Literature.
  • Mental Health Representation in Young Adult Literature.
  • Feminism’s Role in Shaping Contemporary Literature.
  • Globalization’s Impact on Literature and Culture.
  • Social Justice and Activism Themes in Modern Literature.
  • Race and Ethnicity in Contemporary Literature.
  • Postmodernism’s Influence on Contemporary Literature.
  • Environment and Climate Change Representation in Literature.
  • Science Fiction’s Role in Reflecting and Shaping Contemporary Society.

Modern Literature Research Paper Topics

Analyze the intricacies of modern literary research topics masterpieces for university students.

  • Magic Realism in Garcia Marquez’s Works
  • Morrison and Baldwin’s Literary Techniques
  • Feminism in Alice Munro’s Short Stories
  • Postmodernism in Don Delillo’s Novels
  • Mental Illness in the Bell Jar and the Yellow Wallpaper
  • Identity in Adichie and Lahiri’s Works
  • Colonialism’s Impact on Achebe and Ngugi WA Thiong’O
  • Stream of Consciousness in Mrs. Dalloway and Ulysses
  • Masculinity in Hemingway’s Novels
  • Memory Role in Kazuo Ishiguro’s Novels

Ancient Literature Research Topics

Delve into the origins of storytelling and literary research topics for your literary research paper. These literary research topics will allow you to investigate various themes, genres, and styles across different time periods, ultimately enhancing your appreciation for the transformative power of storytelling. 

  • Women in Greek Tragedies
  • Mythology in Homer & Virgil Epic
  • Poetry: Greece vs Rome
  • Prophecy in Greek Tragedies
  • Fate in Oedipus Rex & Macbeth
  • Dreams in Egyptian Literature
  • Gods in Mesopotamian Literature
  • Love Poetry: India & China
  • Oral Tradition in African Literature
  • Karma in Mahabharata 

In conclusion, selecting literary research topics is an essential step in the writing process, as it sets the foundation for your entire paper. Explore various subjects within English, American, or global literature, and consider literary research topics such as gender roles, power representation, or the impact of historical events on literature discuss. Remember to choose literary research topics that genuinely interest you, as this will make the literature discussion and writing process more enjoyable and engaging. Test your literary research topics with an outline and a premise statement to ensure it is focused, specific, and manageable.

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What kinds of topics are good ones?

The best topics are ones that originate out of your own reading of a work of literature, but here are some common approaches to consider:

  • A discussion of a work's characters: are they realistic, symbolic, historically-based?
  • A comparison/contrast of the choices different authors or characters make in a work
  • A reading of a work based on an outside philosophical perspective (Ex. how would a Freudian read Hamlet ?)
  • A study of the sources or historical events that occasioned a particular work (Ex. comparing G.B. Shaw's Pygmalion with the original Greek myth of Pygmalion)
  • An analysis of a specific image occurring in several works (Ex. the use of moon imagery in certain plays, poems, novels)
  • A "deconstruction" of a particular work (Ex. unfolding an underlying racist worldview in Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness )
  • A reading from a political perspective (Ex. how would a Marxist read William Blake's "London"?)
  • A study of the social, political, or economic context in which a work was written — how does the context influence the work?

How do I start research?

Once you have decided on an interesting topic and work (or works), the best place to start is probably the Internet. Here you can usually find basic biographical data on authors, brief summaries of works, possibly some rudimentary analyses, and even bibliographies of sources related to your topic.

The Internet, however, rarely offers serious direct scholarship; you will have to use sources found in the library, sources like journal articles and scholarly books, to get information that you can use to build your own scholarship-your literary paper. Consult the library's on-line catalog and the MLA Periodical Index. Avoid citing dictionary or encyclopedic sources in your final paper.

How do I use the information I find?

The secondary sources you find are only to be used as an aid. Your thoughts should make up most of the essay. As you develop your thesis, you will bring in the ideas of the scholars to back up what you have already said.

For example, say you are arguing that Huck Finn is a Christ figure ; that's your basic thesis. You give evidence from the novel that allows this reading, and then, at the right place, you might say the following, a paraphrase:

According to Susan Thomas, Huck sacrifices himself because he wants to set Jim free (129).

If the scholar states an important idea in a memorable way, use a direct quote.

"Huck's altruism and feelings of compassion for Jim force him to surrender to the danger" (Thomas 129).

Either way, you will then link that idea to your thesis.

Literature Searching

Phillips-Wangensteen Building.

Types of Research Questions

Research questions can be categorized into different types, depending on the type of research to be undertaken.

Qualitative questions concern broad areas or more specific areas of research and focus on discovering, explaining and exploring.  Types of qualitative questions include:

  • Exploratory Questions, which seeks to understand without influencing the results.  The objective is to learn more about a topic without bias or preconceived notions.
  • Predictive Questions, which seek to understand the intent or future outcome around a topic.
  • Interpretive Questions, which tries to understand people’s behavior in a natural setting.  The objective is to understand how a group makes sense of shared experiences with regards to various phenomena.

Quantitative questions prove or disprove a  researcher’s hypothesis and are constructed to express the relationship between variables  and whether this relationship is significant.  Types of quantitative questions include:

  • Descriptive questions , which are the most basic type of quantitative research question and seeks to explain the when, where, why or how something occurred. 
  • Comparative questions are helpful when studying groups with dependent variables where one variable is compared with another.
  • Relationship-based questions try to answer whether or not one variable has an influence on another.  These types of question are generally used in experimental research questions.

References/Additional Resources

Lipowski, E. E. (2008). Developing great research questions . American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, 65(17), 1667–1670.

Ratan, S. K., Anand, T., & Ratan, J. (2019). Formulation of Research Question - Stepwise Approach .  Journal of Indian Association of Pediatric Surgeons ,  24 (1), 15–20.

Fandino W.(2019). Formulating a good research question: Pearls and pitfalls . I ndian J Anaesth. 63(8) :611-616. 

Beck, L. L. (2023). The question: types of research questions and how to develop them . In Translational Surgery: Handbook for Designing and Conducting Clinical and Translational Research (pp. 111-120). Academic Press. 

Doody, O., & Bailey, M. E. (2016). Setting a research question, aim and objective. Nurse Researcher, 23(4), 19–23.

Plano Clark, V., & Badiee, M. (2010). Research questions in mixed methods research . In: SAGE Handbook of Mixed Methods in Social & Behavioral Research .  SAGE Publications, Inc.,

Agee, J. (2009). Developing qualitative research questions: A reflective process .  International journal of qualitative studies in education ,  22 (4), 431-447. 

Flemming, K., & Noyes, J. (2021). Qualitative Evidence Synthesis: Where Are We at? I nternational Journal of Qualitative Methods, 20.  

Research Question Frameworks

Research question frameworks have been designed to help structure research questions and clarify the main concepts. Not every question can fit perfectly into a framework, but using even just parts of a framework can help develop a well-defined research question. The framework to use depends on the type of question to be researched.   There are over 25 research question frameworks available.  The University of Maryland has a nice table listing out several of these research question frameworks, along with what the acronyms mean and what types of questions/disciplines that may be used for.

The process of developing a good research question involves taking your topic and breaking each aspect of it down into its component parts.

Booth, A., Noyes, J., Flemming, K., Moore, G., Tunçalp, Ö., & Shakibazadeh, E. (2019). Formulating questions to explore complex interventions within qualitative evidence synthesis.   BMJ global health ,  4 (Suppl 1), e001107. (See supplementary data#1)

The "Well-Built Clinical Question“: PICO(T)

One well-established framework that can be used both for refining questions and developing strategies is known as PICO(T). The PICO framework was designed primarily for questions that include interventions and comparisons, however other types of questions may also be able to follow its principles.  If the PICO(T) framework does not precisely fit your question, using its principles (see alternative component suggestions) can help you to think about what you want to explore even if you do not end up with a true PICO question.

A PICO(T) question has the following components:

  • P : The patient’s disorder or disease or problem of interest / research object
  • I: The intervention, exposure or finding under review / Application of a theory or method
  • C: A comparison intervention or control (if applicable- not always present)/ Alternative theories or methods (or, in their absence, the null hypothesis)
  • O : The outcome(s) (desired or of interest) / Knowledge generation
  • T : (The time factor or period)

Keep in mind that solely using a tool will not enable you to design a good question. What is required is for you to think, carefully, about exactly what you want to study and precisely what you mean by each of the things that you think you want to study.

Rzany, & Bigby, M. (n.d.). Formulating Well-Built Clinical Questions. In Evidence-based dermatology / (pp. 27–30). Blackwell Pub/BMJ Books.  

Nishikawa-Pacher, A. (2022). Research questions with PICO: a universal mnemonic.   Publications ,  10 (3), 21.

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English Research Basics

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Why Research Questions?

Getting started with research questions, guiding research question vs. thesis.

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Sample Research Questions

Check out these sample lists of research questions. Notice how the same core questions are useful to guide your exploration into a variety of topics.

For a more complete list of research questions check out Developing Research Questions: Some Examples .

  • Criminal Behavior
  • Environmental Issue
  • Homelessness
  • Human Trafficking
  • Online Social Networking
  • Outsourcing
  • Pet Therapy
  • Same Sex Marriage
  • Sex on Television
  • Shop Local Campaign
  • Substance Abuse
  • Technological Singularity
  • Video Games

Create the flow of your paper

Now that you've done your background reading and know the basics about your topic and what you want to focus on, create some research questions to help you develop the flow of your paper.

Why research questions

Think of your research questions as a grocery list designed to guide you through a huge “storehouse” of information.

This list will allow you to efficiently locate and retrieve the most relevant knowledge possible to support your thesis, prevent you from getting off track as you sift through large quantities of information, and even help keep you organized as you begin writing.

Your list of questions may change and/or expand as your research progresses.

Good academic communication should include  an introduction in which your topic and thesis is clearly defined,  an analysis of your topic, and a clear conclusion .

Start out by introducing your topic , communicating to your audience why the topic is important, and providing enough background information to allow your audience to understand the analysis that is about to take place. Your introduction is also the logical place to embed your thesis.

Before you begin writing your research questions, you'll want to do a little background reading  to begin learning something about your topic. 

Examples of defining/introductory questions:

  • What is _________________?
  • Why is ____________ an important issue?
  • What background information is necessary to understand ______________?
  • What are the different types of ____________?

All academic research demands analysis . Some projects lend themselves well to a cause/effect structure ("What caused hip-hop to emerge and what are some of the effects it's had on American culture?), while other assignments require a pro/con format ("What are the positive aspects of stem cell research? What are some of the negative implications?). Some projects can easily conform to both modes.

Examples of analytical/body questions:

  • What are the causes of ________________?

What are the “pro” arguments about_______________?

What are the “con” arguments about ______________?

How can I refute arguments about ______________?

What is being done about ______________?

Your conclusion allows you to demonstrate to your instructor that you have synthesized the information you found and clearly answered your thesis question (informative projects) or effectively proven your thesis statement (persuasive/argumentative assignments).

Examples of concluding questions:

  • What do I think should be done about  ________________?
  • Based on my research what do I think about  ________________ and why?

If you think of your focus as a single, overriding question guiding the exploration of your topic, you can think of your thesis statement as an answer to that question.

Your thesis:

  • Defines your point of view on your topic
  • Briefly outlines your arguments
  • Is often only fully developed toward the end of your research process  

Here are some examples that show you the transition from Topics to Guiding Questions to Thesis Statements

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Write a Literature Review

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About Research Questions

A well-formulated research question:

  • starts your entire search process
  • provides focus for your searches
  • guides the selection of literature sources

You may need to find answers to background questions (i.e. about general knowledge) before forming a research question.

Learn more about how to develop research topics into a researchable question .

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English Literature: Resources for Graduate Research

Find articles in jumbosearch, search for articles on topics in english in these databases, database search strategies, need more articles, link tufts resources to google scholar.

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Developing Search Terms

The first step in picking a topic is to brainstorm by asking yourself a few questions. What do you already know about this topic from your course readings? Are there similar ideas you might want to explore? What are the key concepts that you're interested in pursuing?

Once you've spent a bit of time answering these questions, you can take the concepts you've identified and use the keywords and phrases to start searching for information. Keep in mind that you'll need to build a base of knowledge before you can write effectively.

See the Database Search Strategies box on this page for more help with keyword searching!

Want to discover everything that Tisch Library has on your topic?  Try searching for your topic in JumboSearch, which simultaneously searches across all of the library's resources, including journal articles in databases, online, and in print.

Search by Keyword, Title, Subject, or Creator

Below is a selection of online resources that include a vast number of articles on topics in English, including literary criticism. The resources on this page include articles from both scholarly and popular sources, so be sure to evaluate your sources to make sure that they are appropriate for your project.

  • MLA International Bibliography This database is a classified listing and subject index of scholarly books and articles on modern languages, literatures, folklore and linguistics which has been compiled by the Modern Language Association of America since 1921. The electronic version includes the Bibliography's entire print run and currently contains more than 2 million records.
  • JSTOR JSTOR includes scholarship published in more than 1,400 of the highest-quality academic journals across the humanities, social sciences, and sciences, as well as monographs and other materials valuable for academic work.
  • Project MUSE Provides electronic access to the full text of Johns Hopkins University Press's scholarly publications in the humanities, social sciences, and mathematics.
  • Academic OneFile Academic OneFile has over 8,000 peer-reviewed journals, the majority in full-text, from the world's leading journals and reference sources.
  • Academic Search Premier This multi-disciplinary database provides full text for more than 4,600 journals, including full text for nearly 3,900 peer-reviewed titles.
  • Gale Literature Resource Center Find up-to-date biographical information, overviews, full-text literary criticism and reviews on more than 130,000 writers in all disciplines, from all time periods and from around the world.

Databases respond best to keyword searching.  To search efficiently, turn your research question into a keyword search:

Research Question : How does Gish Jen address issues of American identity?

Search One : (Search with keywords connected by “and”): Gish Jen and American and identity

Search Two : (Truncate some of the keywords using *): Gish Jen and America* and ident*

Search Three : (Add alternate words into the search with “(or)”): Gish Jen and (America* or United States) and (ident* or belong*)

Truncate  keywords where applicable.  Truncation uses the asterisk ( * ) to end a word at its core, allowing you to retrieve many more documents containing variations of the search term.  Truncation can also be used to find the singular and plural forms of a term.  Example: educat* will find educate, educates, education, educators, educating and more.

Looking for more articles? Search Google Scholar to find more information on your topic.

research questions in english literature

If you're off campus, you can link Tufts resources to your Google Scholar results. Linking Google Scholar to the Tufts libraries lets Google show you which full-text articles we have access to through the library's subscriptions. Once you link them, Google Scholar will automatically check to see if Tufts provides access to full-text articles. If we do, you'll be able to access the articles directly from Google Scholar, which is especially helpful if you're off campus.  Follow these instructions to link Tufts to Google Scholar:

  • Open Google Scholar .
  • Click on the Parallel Bars icon (hamburger stack) on the upper left side of the Google Scholar page.
  • Scroll down and click on Settings. On the Google Scholar Settings page, click  Library Links  in the left sidebar.
  • Enter Tufts University into the search bar and click search.
  • When prompted, check the box next to Tufts University – Get this Item at Tufts
  • Click  Save  at the bottom of the screen.
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55 English and Literature IA Topic Ideas and Research Questions

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  • Writing Metier

Greetings! As someone with a wealth of experience working with numerous IB students, I would like to share my insights on crafting remarkable English IA topics. Trust me; a well-thought-out topic for English and literature IA can be a game-changer.

Firstly, it is essential to understand the assessment criteria for an English IA. In my opinion, an Internal Assessment should be a reflection of a student’s depth of understanding and analytical skills, particularly in relation to English Literature.

Assessment criteria

The assessment rubric determines the overall mark, and students should consider the weightage of different components, including the Individual Oral, which contributes a significant 7-14 of overall mark.

Now, let’s dive into the topic at hand – 55+ IB English IA topics. My experience shows that the best topics are often drawn from everyday local contexts.

This enables the IB student to have a more meaningful and well-supported argument.

Topics With Global Issues

One angle to take is to focus on global issues. For instance, students could look at literary works that discuss human rights and how this global issue shapes individuals and particular societies.

Chosen global issues must be relatable, relevant, and have an impact felt on a wide scale.

For example, exploring how the writer’s choices in Khaled Hosseini’s “The Kite Runner” reflect the human rights issues during the Taliban regime will deepen your understanding and resonate with the IB’s values nurtured.

Examining Scientific Development in Literature

Scientific development is another rich area. Students can examine how literature has reflected scientific advancements over time.

For example, a detailed study of Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” can unveil the anxiety surrounding early 19th-century scientific development.

Exploring Aesthetic Inspiration

Literary works often draw aesthetic inspiration from various sources. You could explore how poetry uses visual art as an aesthetic inspiration, examining the interplay between these art forms.

Investigating Hierarchies

Moreover, in my opinion, students can investigate hierarchies within literary works. One could explore gender hierarchies in classic English literature or how language can create and sustain power structures within a novel.

english ia topics

Good English IA topics and research questions

Here are 55 possible English Internal Assessment topics, each with a research question. These topics explore a wide array of themes, from gender dynamics to the impacts of societal norms:

  • “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald:  How does Fitzgerald portray the American Dream in “The Great Gatsby”?
  • “1984” by George Orwell:  How does Orwell use language as a tool for manipulation in “1984”?
  • “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen:  How are gender roles and marriage portrayed in “Pride and Prejudice”?
  • “Beloved” by Toni Morrison:  How does Morrison represent the trauma of slavery in “Beloved”?
  • “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee:  How is the theme of racial injustice explored in “To Kill a Mockingbird”?
  • “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe:  How does Achebe depict the clash of cultures in “Things Fall Apart”?
  • “Catch-22” by Joseph Heller:  How does Heller use absurdity and satire to critique war in “Catch-22”?
  • “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison:  How does Morrison explore the theme of beauty and self-worth in “The Bluest Eye”?
  • “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley:  How does Shelley use the character of the Creature to critique scientific development in “Frankenstein”?
  • “Animal Farm” by George Orwell:  How does Orwell use animal characters to illustrate political corruption in “Animal Farm”?
  • “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding:  How does Golding explore the theme of innate human evil in “Lord of the Flies”?
  • “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood:  How does Atwood represent gender hierarchy and resistance in “The Handmaid’s Tale”?
  • “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley:  How does Huxley critique the effects of technological advancements on society in “Brave New World”?
  • “Othello” by William Shakespeare:  How does Shakespeare explore jealousy and manipulation in “Othello”?
  • “The Bell Jar” by Sylvia Plath:  How does Plath portray mental illness in “The Bell Jar”?
  • “Macbeth” by William Shakespeare:  How does Shakespeare explore the theme of ambition and its consequences in “Macbeth”?
  • “One Hundred Years of Solitude” by Gabriel García Márquez:  How does Márquez use magical realism to depict the cyclical nature of time in “One Hundred Years of Solitude”?
  • “The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini:  How does Hosseini represent the theme of redemption in “The Kite Runner”?
  • “Of Mice and Men” by John Steinbeck:  How does Steinbeck portray the theme of loneliness in “Of Mice and Men”?
  • “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams:  How does Williams explore the theme of illusion versus reality in “A Streetcar Named Desire”?
  • “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Brontë:  How does Brontë portray Jane’s struggle for independence and equality in “Jane Eyre”?
  • “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger:  How does Salinger use the character of Holden to explore the theme of adolescent alienation and rebellion in “The Catcher in the Rye”?
  • “A Room of One’s Own” by Virginia Woolf:  How does Woolf argue for women’s independence and equality in “A Room of One’s Own”?
  • “The Color Purple” by Alice Walker:  How does Walker represent the struggles and triumphs of black women in the early 20th century through “The Color Purple”?
  • “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare:  How does Shakespeare explore the themes of revenge and madness in “Hamlet”?
  • “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel Hawthorne:  How does Hawthorne critique Puritan society in “The Scarlet Letter”?
  • “Heart of Darkness” by Joseph Conrad:  How does Conrad depict the effects of colonialism in “Heart of Darkness”?
  • “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Brontë:  How does Brontë explore the destructive nature of love in “Wuthering Heights”?
  • “The Tempest” by William Shakespeare:  How does Shakespeare use magic and illusion to explore themes of power and control in “The Tempest”?
  • “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde:  How does Wilde critique vanity and the pursuit of beauty in “The Picture of Dorian Gray”?
  • “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien:  How does Tolkien use the fantasy genre to explore themes of courage and heroism in “The Hobbit”?
  • “The Sun Also Rises” by Ernest Hemingway:  How does Hemingway explore the themes of disillusionment and the lost generation in “The Sun Also Rises”?
  • “The Odyssey” by Homer:  How do the character traits of Odysseus contribute to the epic’s themes?
  • “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury:  How does Bradbury critique censorship and the suppression of ideas in “Fahrenheit 451”?
  • “Slaughterhouse-Five” by Kurt Vonnegut:  How does Vonnegut use time travel as a literary device to explore the effects of war in “Slaughterhouse-Five”?
  • “Moby-Dick” by Herman Melville:  How does Melville use the white whale as a symbol in “Moby-Dick”?
  • “The Stranger” by Albert Camus:  How does Camus explore the theme of existentialism in “The Stranger”?
  • “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare:  How does Shakespeare use the motif of dreams to explore love and fantasy in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”?
  • “The Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka:  How does Kafka use the transformation of Gregor Samsa to critique modern society in “The Metamorphosis”?
  • “Crime and Punishment” by Fyodor Dostoevsky:  How does Dostoevsky explore the psychological effects of murder in “Crime and Punishment”?
  • “Don Quixote” by Miguel de Cervantes:  How does Cervantes use the character of Don Quixote to satirize chivalric romance?
  • “Beowulf”:  How are the concepts of heroism and nobility depicted in “Beowulf”?
  • “The Grapes of Wrath” by John Steinbeck:  How does Steinbeck depict the struggles of migrant workers during the Great Depression in “The Grapes of Wrath”?
  • “The Iliad” by Homer:  How does the character of Achilles illustrate the tragic consequences of pride in “The Iliad”?
  • “Their Eyes Were Watching God” by Zora Neale Hurston:  How does Hurston explore the themes of love and self-discovery in “Their Eyes Were Watching God”?
  • “Paradise Lost” by John Milton:  How does Milton’s portrayal of Satan as a charismatic anti-hero contribute to the poem’s moral complexity?
  • “A Tale of Two Cities” by Charles Dickens:  How does Dickens use the setting of the French Revolution to explore themes of resurrection and transformation in “A Tale of Two Cities”?
  • “Dracula” by Bram Stoker:  How does Stoker use the character of Dracula to explore themes of sexuality and fear in Victorian society?
  • “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho:  How does Coelho use the journey of Santiago to explore the themes of destiny and personal legend in “The Alchemist”?
  • “Anna Karenina” by Leo Tolstoy:  How does Tolstoy depict the consequences of societal norms and expectations in “Anna Karenina”?
  • “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller:  How does Miller use the Salem witch trials as an allegory for McCarthyism in “The Crucible”?
  • “The Divine Comedy” by Dante Alighieri:  How does Dante use allegory to explore themes of morality and redemption in “The Divine Comedy”?
  • “The Old Man and the Sea” by Ernest Hemingway:  How does Hemingway use the character of Santiago to explore themes of perseverance and dignity in “The Old Man and the Sea”?
  • “Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller:  How does Miller critique the American Dream through the tragic downfall of Willy Loman in “Death of a Salesman”?
  • “Gulliver’s Travels” by Jonathan Swift:  How does Swift use satire to critique human nature and society in “Gulliver’s Travels”?

These topics and English IA research questions cover a broad range of literary works and themes. Remember, choosing a topic you are passionate about is essential and can analyze in depth.

Individual Oral Presentation

The Individual Oral component is often an area where students can excel. For this section, which is internally assessed and audio recorded, students prepare a presentation on two texts from different genres.

This presentation is a part of the learner portfolio and is an invaluable tool in understanding the prescribed list of literary works.

What is the word count for IB English IA?

The word count for the IB English Internal Assessment (IA) – the Individual Oral component – is not to exceed 400 words for the rationale and outline combined. The oral commentary and discussion itself must be between 12 to 15 minutes long.

Please note that the IB can update or change its requirements, so I would recommend consulting the most recent course guide or speaking with your IB English teacher to confirm the current requirements.

The number of words needed for an oral commentary and discussion that lasts between 12 to 15 minutes can vary depending on the speaker’s pace. Generally, people speak at an average rate of about 125 to 150 words per minute in a presentation setting.

Using this average:

  • For a 12-minute commentary, you would need approximately 1,500 to 1,800 words (125 words/minute 12 minutes to 150 words/minute 12 minutes).
  • For a 15-minute commentary, you would need approximately 1,875 to 2,250 words (125 words/minute 15 minutes to 150 words/minute 15 minutes).

It’s advisable to practice your oral commentary and discussion beforehand to ensure that your pace is comfortable and that the content fits within the 12 to 15-minute timeframe.

This practice also helps in making sure that you are clearly conveying the information and analysis.

Teacher’s Guidance

In my experience, working closely with your teacher is crucial. The teacher’s guidance can help shape your IA, especially when selecting topics that are aligned with the assessment criteria.

We can help you write your IB IO in a manner of time. Please fill out our online order form with details, and our IB experts will complete everything.

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Detailed Study and Oral Commentary

HL students must also focus on the detailed study part, which includes oral commentary. This is the final part, where students must present unannotated copies of the texts and engage in discussion with the teacher.

For instance, for an oral commentary, higher level students might analyze how a particular theme is developed through different literary devices in two texts from various genres.

Ready to write an English Internal Assessment?

As we conclude this exploration of 55 intriguing English IA topics, it’s essential to recognize that selecting a topic is only the beginning. Crafting an engaging and well-supported argument, analyzing literary works, and satisfying the marking scheme can be quite a challenge. However, don’t be overwhelmed.

More related articles with topic suggestions:

  • Global Politics IA Ideas
  • Math IA Topic Ideas
  • Math AA Topics
  • Bio IA Ideas
  • Biology Research Paper Topic Ideas
  • Chemistry IA Topics
  • Economics IA Topic Ideas
  • ESS IA Topics
  • IB ToK Essay November Prompts
  • TOK Exhibition IA Prompts

With the right guidance, dedication, and passion, you can create an English Literature Internal Assessment that will meet the requirements and be a piece of work you can be genuinely proud of.

As someone with extensive experience working with numerous IB students, I understand the challenges and pitfalls that you may face.

So, if you find yourself stuck at any stage – whether it’s selecting a topic, framing a research question, analyzing a literary work, or even if you want to ensure that you’re on the right track, don’t hesitate to reach out for professional help.

ib ia help

Get help with IB English Internal Assessment

Writing Metier is pleased to offer our assistance to IB students in providing further topic ideas and suggestions or even writing a custom English Internal Assessment from scratch tailored to your interests and objectives .

With my wealth of knowledge and experience, I can provide valuable insights and guidance to help you create an Internal Assessment that is both intellectually stimulating and fulfilling.

Remember, the goal of the Internal Assessment is not just to score well but also to deepen your understanding and appreciation of literature. Make sure that the topic you select resonates with you, and don’t shy away from seeking the support you need to excel.

Feel free to get in touch, and let’s work together to bring your English IA to fruition.

Free topic suggestions

Vasy kafidoff.

Vasyl Kafidoff is a co-founder and CEO at WritingMetier. He is interested in education and how modern technology makes it more accessible. He wants to bring awareness about new learning possibilities as an educational specialist. When Vasy is not working, he’s found behind a drum kit.

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Literature Dissertation Topics

Published by Carmen Troy at January 9th, 2023 , Revised On April 16, 2024

Introduction

A literature dissertation aims to contextualise themes, ideas, and interests that have grabbed a reader’s interest and attention, giving them a more profound meaning through the movement of time within and outside cultures.

Literature is a comprehensive knowledge of other writers’ views, and to understand them, a student must perform extensive reading and research. A writer coveys their thoughts and ideas through their literary works, including the views and opinions of writers ranging from topics on philosophy , religious preferences, sociology , academics, and psychology .

To help you get started with brainstorming for literature topic ideas, we have developed a list of the latest topics that can be used for writing your literature dissertation.

These topics have been developed by PhD qualified writers of our team , so you can trust to use these topics for drafting your dissertation.

You may also want to start your dissertation by requesting  a brief research proposal  from our writers on any of these topics, which includes an  introduction  to the topic,  research question ,  aim and objectives ,  literature review  along with the proposed  methodology  of research to be conducted.  Let us know  if you need any help in getting started.

Check our  dissertation examples  to get an idea of  how to structure your dissertation .

Review the full list of  dissertation topics for here.

2024 Literature Dissertation Topics

Topic 1: impact of the second language barrier on the social integration of immigrants- a case of chinese nationals migrating to the uk.

Research Aim: This research purposes an analysis to show the impact of the second language barrier on the social integration of Chinese immigrants in the UK. It will analyze how this barrier affects various segments of their lives by limiting their social interactions. Moreover, it will identify ways (language courses, communal support, financial support, etc.) through which government and civil society help these immigrants to overcome this barrier to make them feel inclusive in the UK and play a part in the economy.

Topic 2: The Power of the Writer’s Imagination- A Study Finding the Role of Writer Imagination in the Social Revolution in 19th-Century Europe

Research Aim: This study intends to identify the role of the writer’s imagination in the social revolution in 19 th century Europe. It will show how writers’ imagination is reflected in their writings and how it affects ordinary individuals’ mindsets. It will assess the writings of various authors during the 19 th -century social revolution when Europe replaced the monarchy with democracy. It will show the language used by the authors and its effect on the individuals’ will to achieve democracy.

Topic 3: How does an Accent Develop? An Exploratory Analysis Finding Factors Shaped Various English Accents in the World- A Case of America, Australia, and India

Research Aim: This research will analyze how an accent develops when a language is imported from one region to the other. It will identify how various factors such as culture, norms, politics, religion, etc., affect accent development. And to show this effect, this research will show how the English accent changed when it came to America, Australia, and India. Moreover, it will indicate whether social resistance in these areas affected the accent or was readily accepted.

Topic 4: “Gender Pronouns and their Usage” a New Debate in the Social Linguistics Literature- A Systematic Review of the Past and Present Debates

Research Aim: This study sheds light on a relatively new debate in politics, sociology, and linguistics, which is how to correctly use gender pronouns in all of these contexts. Therefore, this study will explore these areas, but the main focus will be on linguistics. It will review various theories and frameworks in linguistics to show multiple old and new debates on the subject matter. Moreover, a systematic review will determine the correct usage of gender pronouns.

Topic 5: Are Men Portrayed Better in the English Literature? A Feminist Critique of the Old English Literature

Research Aim: This research will analyze whether men are portrayed better in English literature through a feminist lens. It will assess a different kind of English literature, such as poems, essays, novels, etc., to show whether men are portrayed better than women in various contexts. Moreover, it will analyze multiple classical and modern-day writers to see how they use different male and female characters in their literature. Lastly, it will add a feminist perspective on the subject matter by introducing the feminist theory and its portrayal of men and women.

Covid-19 Literature Research Topics

Topic 1: the scientific literature of coronavirus pandemic.

Research Aim: This study will review the scientific literature of Coronavirus pandemic

Topic 2: Literature and the future world after Coronavirus.

Research Aim: This study will reveal the world’s literature predictions after the pandemic.

Topic 3: Coronavirus is a trending topic among the media, writers, and publishers

Research Aim: Covid-19 has disrupted every sector’s health care system and economy. Apart from this, the topic of the Coronavirus has become trending everywhere. This study will highlight whether the information provided about COVID-19 by all the sources is authentic? What kind of misleading information is presented?

Literature Dissertation Topics for 2023

Topic 1: dependence of humans on computers.

Research Aim: This research aims to study the dependence of humans on the computer, its advantages and disadvantages.

Topic 2: Whether or not the death penalty is effective in the current era?

Research Aim: This research aims to identify whether the death penalty is effective in the current era.

Topic 3: Fashion Industry and its impact on people's upward and downward social perception

Research Aim: This research aims to identify the impact on people’s upward and downward social perception

Topic 4: Communication gaps in families due to the emergence of social media

Research Aim: This research aims to address the communication gaps in families due to the emergence of social media and suggest possible ways to overcome them.

Topic 5: Employment and overtime working hours- a comparative study

Research Aim: This research aims to measure the disadvantages of overtime working hours of employees.

Topic 6: Machine translators Vs. human translators

Research Aim: This research aims to conduct a comparative study of machine translators and human translators

Topic 7: Freelancing Vs 9 to 5 jobs- a comparative study

Research Aim: This research aims to compare freelancing jobs with 9 to 5 jobs.

More Literature Dissertation Topics for 2024

Topic 1: the effects of everyday use of digital media on youth in the uk..

Research Aim: Digital media is a normal part of a person’s life. In this research, the aim is to examine and analyse; how young people between the ages of 15-25 in the UK engage with digital media. The study includes the amount of time interaction occurs and the role of time-space, time elasticities, and online/offline intersections.

Topic 2: Critical analysis of the teenager protagonist in “The Room on the Roof” written by Ruskin Bond.

Research Aim: Many Indian writers and children’s book authors regard Ruskin Bond as an icon. This research will systematically study the alienated teenage protagonist in Ruskin’s “The Room on the Roof” and how Ruskin evolved the character gradually throughout the novel. The way Ruskin used this protagonist to reflect his feelings and convey them to the reader.

Topic 3: Promotion of women empowerment through mass media in Nepal.

Research Aim: The primary purpose of this study is to analyse the role of mass media, including audio, print, and audio-visual, in the empowerment of women in the Nepal region. It also discusses the development of mass media in Nepal and spreading awareness of women’s empowerment.

How Can ResearchProspect Help?

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Seventeenth and Eighteenth-Century Literature Dissertation Topics

Topic 1: eighteenth-century british literature..

Research Aim: This study aims to study the evolution of modern British literature compared to eighteenth-century literature. This research will focus on the genre of comedy only. The research will discuss the causes of laughter in the eighteenth century compared to things that cause laughter in modern times.

Topic 5: A systematic study of Chaucer’s Miller’s tale.

Research Aim: This research aims to take a closer look at Chaucer’s heavily censored story, “The Miller’s Tale.” It seeks to look at why “The Miller’s Tale” is criticised and categorised as obscene and unfit for a general read. The study will analyse the writer’s writing style, language, and method for the research paper.

Topic 3: Understanding 17th-century English culture using a model of Francis Bacon’s idea.

Research Aim: This research aims to take a more in-depth look into Francis Bacon’s idea of modern economic development. To conduct the study, machine learning processes will be implemented to examine Francis’s ideas and their implementations in contemporary times.

Topic 4: The relation between early 18th-century English plays and The emerging financial market.

Research Aim: This research aims to analyse the relationship between eighteenth-century plays and a flourishing financial market. Most theatrical plays were written and performed in the middle of the 1720s, but writing carried out contributed to the financial market.

Topic 5: Issues of climate change used in early English literature: Shakespeare’s View of the sky.

Research Aim: This research aims to analyse climate change’s impact on early English writings. Climatic issues were faced even in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, providing writers with another topic to add to their published work. This research will focus on the work of Shakespeare, in which he included the specifics of climate change.

Also Read: Medicine and Nursing Dissertation Topics Free

Nineteenth-Century Dissertation Topics

Topic 1: impact of nineteenth-century gothic vampire literature on female members of the gothic subculture..

Research Aim: This research will look at the introduction of gothic vampire literature and its impact on female members of the gothic subculture. It includes a complete analysis of writing style and the impression it left of the female readers’.

Topic 2: Women theatre managers and the theatre in the late nineteenth century.

Research Aim: This research aims to view the impact on theatres under the management of women theatre managers. The improvement to theatre shows, along with the hardships faced by some managers, is discussed. The proposed study analyses the categories of theatre plays.

Topic 3: The history of American literature.

Research Aim: This research aims to give a brief history of American literature’s development and evolution throughout the centuries. The timeline begins from the early 15th century to the late 19th century. Word variations, sentence structures, grammar, and written impressions will be analysed.

Topic 4: “New women” concept in the novels of Victorian age English writers.

Research Aim: This research aims to analyse women’s position in the early nineteenth and how later Victorian writers used their work to give women a new identity. The method employed by these writers who wrote from a feminist point of view will also be discussed.

Topic 5: Discussing the role of the writer in their own story.

Research Aim: This research aims to analyse the form in which the writer reveals their presence to the reader. The methods can be achieved directly or use the characters to replace themselves in the narrative. The study observes the phrases, vocabulary, and situations the writer uses to narrate.

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Twentieth Century Dissertation Topics

Topic 1: effect of gender association in modern literature..

Research Aim: This research aims to analyse the issue of gender association in twentieth-century literature. Currently, male characters are described in a more masculine term than before in comparison to female counterparts. This research will also explore the possible approach of the possible characterisation of the two genders.

Topic 2: Feminism and literature.

Research Aim: This research aims to analyse the impacts of feminism on modern English literature quality. The study will look into the ideology of feminism and how feminist thoughts impact the readers’ view.

Topic 3: Modern literature based on climate change and eco-themes.

Research Aim: This research will study the various works of writers who tackled climate change and other eco-themes in their work. The study discusses the way they portrayed the item along with their views on preventing climate change. Modern work is compared to the work of previous writers who wrote about climate change.

Topic 4: How are fathers portrayed in modern literature?

Research Aim: This research will study the role of fathers in modern literature. The way the father character is portrayed in recent times has changed compared to writing in the early centuries. This research will look into the evolution of the father figure over time.

Topic 5: Literature for Asian American children.

Research Aim: This research will examine the fusion of classic American literature and Asian literature for children. The different genera’s that are produced and the style of writing will be analysed.

Also Read: Free Law Dissertation Topics

Children’s Literature Dissertation Topics

Topic 1: the influence of the intersection of race and bullying in children’s books..

Research Aim: This research will analyse the literature made for children from 2015 to 2019 in which the intersection between race and bullying is made. The study will evaluate the impact of literature read by a child in which there is bullying. Various picture books are analysed to observe the influence of racism on bullying.

Topic 2: Diversity of culture in children’s literature.

Research Aim: This research will observe the influence of the various cultural aspects of children’s books. The study will analyse the impact of mixed cultures on literature in a community and how it affects children’s mindsets from a young age.

Topic 3: The use of literature to shape a child's mind.

Research Aim: This research will analyse the effects of literature on a child’s mind. Behaviour, intelligence, and interactions between children and their age fellows are to be observed. A child’s behaviour with adults will also be analysed.

Topic 4: Evolution of children's literature.

Research Aim: This research will explore the change in children’s literature trends. This research will compare the literary work from the mid-nineteen century with modern-day children’s books. Differences in vocabulary, sentence structure, and mode of storytelling will be examined.

Topic 5: Racial discrimination in “the cat in the hat” impacts children’s racial views.

Research Aim: This research will take an in-depth analysis of the children’s story, “The Cat in the Hat,” to observe if it has any racial remarks which cause an increase in racism among children. The words used and the pictures found on the page will be thoroughly analysed, and their impact on the children reading it.

Topic 6: Measuring the nature of a child’s early composing.

Research Aim: This research will analyse the development of a child’s writing skills based on the type of books they read. The book’s genera, vocabulary, and the writing style of the child’s preferred book will be considered.

Topic 7: Use of a classroom to incorporate multicultural children’s literature.

Research Aim: This research will reflect on the potential use of a school classroom to promote multicultural literature for children. Since a classroom is filled with children of different cultural backgrounds, it becomes easier to introduce multicultural literature. The difficulties and the advantages to society in the incorporation of multicultural literature in classrooms are discussed.

Important Notes:

As literature looking to get good grades, it is essential to develop new ideas and experiment with existing literature theories – i.e., to add value and interest to your research topic.

The literature field is vast and interrelated to many other academic disciplines like linguistics , English literature and more. That is why creating a literature dissertation topic that is particular, sound, and actually solves a practical problem that may be rampant in the field is imperative.

We can’t stress how important it is to develop a logical research topic based on your entire research. There are several significant downfalls to getting your topic wrong; your supervisor may not be interested in working on it, the topic has no academic creditability, the research may not make logical sense, and there is a possibility that the study is not viable.

This impacts your time and efforts in writing your dissertation , as you may end up in the cycle of rejection at the initial stage of the dissertation. That is why we recommend reviewing existing research to develop a topic, taking advice from your supervisor, and even asking for help in this particular stage of your dissertation.

While developing a research topic, keeping our advice in mind will allow you to pick one of the best literature dissertation topics that fulfil your requirement of writing a research paper and add to the body of knowledge.

Therefore, it is recommended that when finalizing your dissertation topic, you read recently published literature to identify gaps in the research that you may help fill.

Remember- dissertation topics need to be unique, solve an identified problem, be logical, and be practically implemented. Please look at some of our sample literature dissertation topics to get an idea for your own dissertation.

How to Structure your Literature Dissertation

A well-structured dissertation can help students to achieve a high overall academic grade.

  • A Title Page
  • Acknowledgements
  • Declaration
  • Abstract: A summary of the research completed
  • Table of Contents
  • Introduction : This chapter includes the project rationale, research background, key research aims and objectives, and the research problems. An outline of the structure of a dissertation can also be added to this chapter.
  • Literature Review : This chapter presents relevant theories and frameworks by analysing published and unpublished literature on the chosen research topic to address research questions . The purpose is to highlight and discuss the selected research area’s relative weaknesses and strengths whilst identifying any research gaps. Break down the topic and key terms that can positively impact your dissertation and your tutor.
  • Methodology : The data collection and analysis methods and techniques employed by the researcher are presented in the Methodology chapter, which usually includes research design , research philosophy, research limitations, code of conduct, ethical consideration, data collection methods, and data analysis strategy .
  • Findings and Analysis : Findings of the research are analysed in detail under the Findings and Analysis chapter. All key findings/results are outlined in this chapter without interpreting the data or drawing any conclusions. It can be useful to include graphs, charts, and tables in this chapter to identify meaningful trends and relationships.
  • Discussion and Conclusion : The researcher presents his interpretation of results in this chapter and states whether the research hypothesis has been verified or not. An essential aspect of this section of the paper is to link the results and evidence from the literature. Recommendations with regards to implications of the findings and directions for the future may also be provided. Finally, a summary of the overall research, along with final judgments, opinions, and comments, must be included in the form of suggestions for improvement.
  • References : Your University’s requirements should complete this
  • Bibliography
  • Appendices : Any additional information, diagrams, and graphs used to complete the dissertation but not part of the dissertation should be included in the Appendices chapter. Essentially, the purpose is to expand the information/data.

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Step 1: choose a topic, step 2: consult reference sources, step 3: grab some books, step 4: search for articles, step 5: collect, read, evaluate, and write what you have learned, step 6: cite your sources.

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This page walks you through the basic steps of research. Keep in mind that the research process is actually quite messy, and you might find yourself jumping back and forth between the steps listed here. These steps are meant to orient you to the research process, but you do not necessarily have to follow this exact order:

  • Choose a topic
  • Consult reference sources
  • Grab some books
  • Search for articles
  • Collect, read, evaluate, and write what you have learned
  • Cite your sources

When choosing a topic, keep the following points in mind:

  • Choose a topic that ACTUALLY interests you.
  • Your topic is not set in stone. Once you start doing some initial research on your topic, you will probably decide to tweak it a bit.
  • Pick a topic that is manageable. If your topic is too broad, it will be hard to condense it all into one university paper. But if your topic is too narrow, you may have a hard time finding enough scholarly research for your paper.
  • Handout: Choosing a topic Check out this helpful handout on choosing a research topic!

Or, watch this incredibly useful video from North Carolina State University Library on choosing a topic:

When you first get started on a research project, you might not have very much prior knowledge of your topic. In that case, it's a great idea to start with some background information. The most heavily-used reference source in the world is Wikipedia, but as a student you also have access to many other excellent scholarly reference sources.

Jump to the "Dictionaries, encyclopedias, and more" page of this guide.

Ebook collection

Time to get down to it! Books will help you get an even better handle on your topic. Books provide more in-depth information than reference sources, but are often much better for background information than journal articles. Keep the following in mind:

  • Start by registering your Dal card as your library card. Fill out your registration form and bring it to the service desk at the Killam Library, or register online using our online form (this will take about 24 hours to process).
  • Use the Novanet library catalogue to search for books on your topic.
  • You can access ebooks immediately online; if you find a print book that interests you, write down the call number and visit the stacks!
  • Check out this quick video: How to read a call number in 90 seconds
  • Remember that in most cases you won't need to read the whole book!
  • You may borrow print books for 3 weeks, and renew them twice. To renew books online, start here . Click "Guest," at the top right of the screen, and then "My library card." Log in with your barcode and password. You should see an overview of the books you have checked out, and an option to renew. You can also check out this quick video tutorial on renewing books .  

Jump to the "Find books" page of this guide.

Scholarly journals are specialized journals that publish new research on specialized topics. They are written FOR academics, researchers, and students to keep them aware of new developments in the field. They are written, for the most part, BY academics and researchers who are actively involved with the field of study. You can find scholarly articles in databases that the library subscribes to. Make sure to search in subject-specific databases (such as a history database), as well as multidisciplinary databases that include a wider scope of material.

Jump to the "Find journal articles" page of this guide.

  • Handout: Identifying and reading scholarly works New to reading scholarly articles? Check out this helpful handout.

Or, check out this great video from Western Libraries:

Take very careful notes as you read your sources! This will help you trace themes and develop an argument. Check out the following two videos on writing a research paper, and make an appointment at the Dalhousie Writing Centre if you would like assistance with your writing.

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Very important! When you use somebody else's words or ideas in your academic papers, you must to give credit to the original source. This is one of the reasons why keeping good notes is so important to the research process.

Jump to the MLA Citation page of this guide.

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research questions in english literature

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Command terms are the key terms and phrases used in examination questions. 

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research questions in english literature

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research questions in english literature

Source: Oxford Course Companion, p.17

Research Questions: Class of 2020

Visual Arts: To what extent are the developments in American military aircraft nose designs from World War 2, Vietnam War and Gulf War more connected to individual crew preference than to the visual culture of America, 1940 - 1990?

English A: To what extent does William Shakespeare employ Elizabethan elements in Romeo and Juliet to build towards the eventual tragedy?

English A: To what extent did news media outlets, specifically CNN and Fox News, use different reporting methods to portray the candidates in the 2016 United States presidential election?

English A: How do aspects of real-life societies inform and shape A Clockwork Orange and The Handmaid’s Tale?

English A: How were African Americans portrayed in American sitcoms from 1980 to 2000?

English B: To what extent does 'The Fault in Our Stars' by John Green reflect 'The Hero's Journey'?

English B: To what extent does social media influence or have an effect on the english language usage?

English B: To what extent does the usage of AAVE affect an individual’s social status and mobility?

English B: To what extent does the development of the Super Bowl mirror specific aspects of American cultural, social, and economic trends?

Psychology: To what extent is the phenomenon of Karoshi, the overworking of office workers in Southeast Asia, interconnected with symptoms of depression?

Psychology: To What Extent is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, as an addition to traditional pharmacotherapy necessary for the successful treatment of Schizophrenia?

Psychology: To what extent is Δ9-THC an effective antidepressant that can be used to treat patients with depression?

Chinese B: 论新时代网络语言对现代汉语有何种影响?

Chinese B: 中国嘻哈歌手如何运用歌词传播中华文化?How do Chinese Hip-hop Artists Promote Chinese Culture through Lyrics?

Economics: To what extent have increases in rental prices (2017-2018) shrunken the market for Korean restaurants in Chegongmiao, Shenzhen?

Economics: How does President Moon's minimum wage policy affect convenience store market in Seocho 1-dong, South Korea?

Business: To What Extent Does the WeChat Application in Tencent's Business Model Play a Role in its Success?

Business: To what extent has Samsung's acquisition of Harman Kardon helped in increasing revenue and access to new markets?

Research Questions: Class of 2019

World Studies (Biology & Economics): How does mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) ecotourism support and strengthen local economies while ensuring the mountain gorillas’ health and survival?

English A, Category 3: How are skincare companies like: Neutrogena, Nivea, and Dove promoting white supremacy?

English B, Category 2B: To what extent do the changes in Cersei’s and Daenerys’s character development in the HBO series Game of Thrones show they are ultimately both motivated for and by power?

Visual Arts: To what extent did visual qualities in Coco Chanel’s Little Black Dress 1913, influence black dresses created by Chinese fashion designer Vivienne Tam and haute couture designer Yiqing Yin in regards to development in visual elements and societal acceptances in the 21st century?

Business Management: “To what extent was Apple Inc.’s acquisition of Beats Electronics, LLC an effective growth strategy?”

Math, Group 5: Investigating the Korean MERS outbreak using the SEIR model: How would hypothetical diseases be simulated if variables of the SEIR model were to be altered?

Business Management : To what extent has the benefits offered by Shekou International School helped them retain staff?

Economics: To what extent has the subsidy that was introduced in 2016 for hybrid electric vehicles led to a rise in demand for domestic car producers in Baden Württemberg?

Chemistry: How does the addition of salt (NaCl) which modifies the salinity affects the interfacial tension and stability of oil-in-water emulsion?

World Studies (History & Literature): What aspects of the anti-vaccination movement, and “The Crucible” relate to mass hysteria during the Salem Witch Trials?

Psychology: To What Extent Do Behavioural Addictions Fit The Criteria for ‘The Disease Model of Addiction’?

World Studies (Economics & Politics): To what extent has the political decision to host the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro affected Brazils’ economy and the financial welfare of its citizens?

Physics: To what extent does the volume of water affect the altitude gained by adding a constant pressure?

Psychology: To what extent are sociocultural and biological factors major causes of elderly people’s depressive behavior?

World Studies (History & Economics): To what extent did the LGBTQ community contribute to making attractive neighborhoods in the US and why are they pushed to leave them now?

Economics: To what extent is the cafe market in Shekou, Shenzhen, monopolistically competitive?

Economics: “Which is the most important factor that changes the real estate price rate in Magok-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul Korea?”

Business Management: To what extent has McDonald’s marketing strategies played a major role in becoming a prominent fast-food company in Korea?

World Studies (Physics & Geography): To What Extent is the Design of the Standard Houses that Gawak Kalinga Builds Able to Withstand the Seismic Hazards Present in Manila?

World Studies (Economics & Music): To what extent is electronic music’s economy expanding?

Visual Arts: To what extent did artistic influences and material sources impact the chair designs of Gerrit Thomas Rietveld Zig-Zag (1934), Verner Panton Panton S (1956), and Tom Dixon, Capellini, S Chair (1991)?

Business Management: To what extent has Apple Inc.’s prioritization of product innovation and advertising led to sales of iPhone X?

World Studies (Psychology & Geography): How do the combined effects of Socioeconomic Status and Diabetes increase prevalences of Alzheimer’s Disease in different regions within China (PRC)?

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  • Understanding the interaction between support and social participation for people with physical disabilities: a scoping review protocol
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  • http://orcid.org/0009-0005-3230-6746 Rebecca Evans 1 , 2 ,
  • http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0940-6624 Jacinta Douglas 1 , 2 ,
  • http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3899-6248 Di Winkler 1 , 2 ,
  • http://orcid.org/0009-0002-8896-9117 Lee Cubis 1 , 2
  • 1 Summer Foundation , Box Hill , Victoria , Australia
  • 2 Living with Disability Research Centre , La Trobe University , Melbourne , Victoria , Australia
  • Correspondence to Rebecca Evans; rebecca.evans{at}summerfoundation.org.au

Introduction Around the world, the disability rights movements and the social model of disability have placed emphasis on the importance of social participation for people with disability. People with physical disability who have high and complex support needs often need support to access their communities, however, very little is known about the interaction between support and social participation for this population of people. Therefore, the aim of this scoping review is to explore the literature related to the interaction between support and social participation for adults with disability and understand any existing gaps in the literature where further research may be required in order to maximise quality support and social participation.

Methods and analysis This scoping review will be conducted and reported according to scoping review guidelines outlined by Arksey and O’Malley and later modified by Levac et al , as well as the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis: Extension for Scoping Reviews. Thorough database searches will be conducted across MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Scopus. The search will be limited to papers published in English from 2013 onwards. Citations will be uploaded into Covidence and screened by two independent reviewers. Data extraction will extract data regarding participants, housing, support and study characteristics, as well as qualitative and quantitative data relevant to the research question. A narrative synthesis will be used to summarise findings. A minimum of three consultants with lived experience of disability will be engaged to review and contribute to the final scoping review paper.

Ethics and dissemination It is anticipated that the findings of this scoping review will be made available in peer-reviewed publications and also in plain language formats to ensure accessibility to a wide range of audiences. Ethics will not be required for this scoping review.

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https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2023-083102

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STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS OF THIS STUDY

This study will be coauthored and coproduced by people with lived experience of disability.

This study will be the first scoping review to look into the interaction between support and social participation for people with physical disabilities.

Only papers written in English from the year 2013 onwards will be considered for inclusion.

Introduction

Around the world, the disability rights movement and the social model of disability have taken prominence in order to promote the full participation of people with physical and other disabilities within society. 1 The disability rights movement asserts that people with disability should live free from discrimination and have equal opportunities and rights, including the right to live and be supported in the community, the right to paid employment and the right to inclusive education. 2 In a similar tone, the social model of disability explains that restrictions to participation do not necessarily come from a person’s direct disability impairment, but instead from the environmental barriers around them, such as inaccessible buildings or people’s negative attitudes and assumptions. 3 A common example used to describe the social model is that it is not a person’s need to use a wheelchair for mobility that prevents someone from entering a building that has stairs, but instead, it is society’s failure to instal a ramp or elevator. 4 Many governments in the Global North are beginning to acknowledge these movements by implementing disability funding systems that seek to improve areas of life, such as housing, that have the potential to present participation restrictions to people with disability if not adequately addressed. 5 For example, in Australia, the National Disability Insurance Agency now funds specialist disability accommodation (SDA) for Australians with high support needs. 6 SDA funding assists people with disability to live in homes which are appropriately accessible, meaning more Australians with disability and complex needs are being given access to housing which maximises independence and facilitates high-quality support. 6 However, the accessibility of housing and its impact on participation is a tangible concept and one that has been widely studied, with a recent study finding that accessible housing leads to improved social participation, quality of life and health and well-being outcomes. 7 Less research has focused on in-depth exploration of other factors which may impact the participation of people with disability and, specifically, people with physical disabilities and high and complex support needs. 1 8

Outside of appropriate and accessible housing, quality support is considered to be another major contributor to the quality of life of adults with disability. 9 10 Adults with physical disability may receive support from various groups of people, including informal support such as from family members, friends, advocates or peers and formal support from paid disability support workers, support coordinators and health professionals. 11–13 Research suggests that adults with physical disability who receive high-quality support have better health and well-being and are more likely to participate in society. 14 15 It is important to recognise that not all adults with disability have the same support needs. 10 Some may not require any support in their day-to-day lives while others may have very high and complex support needs, and therefore, require support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 16 17 The role that supports play in the life of an adult with physical disability can be heavily influenced by this requirement. 18 For adults with disability who have high and complex support needs, their supports may help them with activities such as personal care, household management and social participation. 19

Social participation often looks similar for people with and without disabilities—whether going out to restaurants and bars, visiting family and friends, going out shopping or engaging in activities such as arts, culture, travelling, education or employment. 20 For people with physical disability, increased social participation can result in benefits such as improved health and well-being, reduced mental illness, increased life satisfaction and increased quality of life. 21 22 However, as discussed by Bigby and Beadle-Brown, 23 many people with disabilities need strong support networks or programmes around them in order to ensure benefits are gained from engaging in any community or social environment. Without adequate and quality support, it can be perceived that social or community participation simply reflects being in a community, rather than of a community—a distinction emphasised by Martin Ginis et al . 24 It is for this reason that this paper uses the term ‘social participation’, which better reflects this concept as opposed to phrases such as ‘community integration’ or ‘community engagement’. 25

Despite the established importance of social participation for people with physical disability and the existing evidence that many people with disability require support to participate in the community, it appears that very few studies have sought to thoroughly investigate the interaction between support and social participation for adults with physical disability. Additionally, a recent study recommended an in-depth exploration of factors that influence social participation. 26 Therefore, the aim of this scoping review is to explore the literature related to the interaction between support and social participation for adults with physical disability and high and complex support needs and understand any existing gaps in the literature where further research may be required in order to maximise quality support and social participation.

Method and analysis

The proposed scoping review will be conducted and reported according to scoping review guidelines outlined by Arksey and O’Malley 27 and later modified by Levac et al , 28 as well as the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-­Analysis: Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-­ScR 29 ). It is anticipated that this scoping review will begin in the later quarter of 2023.

Identifying research question

The research question central to this scoping review is: What is the interaction between support and social participation for adults with physical disability and high and complex support needs? For the purpose of this research, high and complex support needs are defined as the support requirements of a person with disability which originate from a ‘functional impairment which has a substantial impact on the person’s independence in one or more activities in the domains of mobility, self-care, domestic life or self-management’—resulting in multiple support needs that are profound, severe, serious or intense. 7 In addition, support is defined as assistance with activities such as personal care, household management and social participation from either informal supports such as family members, friends, advocates or peers, or formal supports such as paid disability support workers, support coordinators and health professionals. 11–13 19

Identifying relevant studies (developing the search)

The search strategy has been developed in collaboration between the authors and an experienced senior research librarian. An initial search of MEDLINE was undertaken to refine the search terms and search strategy. Three core concepts were extracted from the research question and applied to the search strategy. These were (1) physical disability, (2) social participation and (3) adult. A comprehensive list of search terms was then developed for each of those concepts based on the authors’ prior knowledge, keywords contained in the titles and abstracts of relevant articles, and search strategies used in other scoping reviews with similar research questions. Concepts will be combined using the Boolean operator ‘AND’, with keywords within each concept being combined with the Boolean operator ‘OR’. It was consciously decided that the concept of ‘support’ would not be included in the search strategy due to this term being a broad-ranging concept related to many different forms of support, and searching for specific supports such as ‘family’ or ‘support workers’ may inadvertently exclude relevant articles.

A full search strategy was then developed for MEDLINE (see online supplemental appendix ), with search filters of studies only being published in the English language from 2013 onwards being applied. This search strategy will be adapted for all included databases. The databases to be used in this scoping review will include MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Scopus. Both a backward search of the reference list of included studies, as well as a forward search for papers which cite the included studies, will be undertaken to identify any relevant papers which may have been missed in the initial database search.

Supplemental material

Study selection, eligibility criteria.

For studies to be eligible for inclusion, they must be peer-reviewed and published in the English language. There will be no study design restrictions due to the anticipated scarcity of research in this area, however, papers will be required to have extractible empirical data. The primary or stated aim of the papers included will be aligned with the scoping review’s research question. The paper will also need to have been published no earlier than the year 2013. The last 10 years can be viewed as a point in time when the disability and support landscape changed, with a greater focus on participation and, at least in Australia, legislation to enable people with disability to get support to participate. 30 Specifically, in Australia in 2013, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) was legislated, which enables people with disability to get the reasonable and necessary support they need to engage with their communities. 31

Inclusion criteria

Clinical population: Included research should focus on adults with physical disability (regardless of origin or co-occurring disabilities) aged 18–65 who are living in the community and have complex or high support needs.

Support population: In addition to the clinical population described above, research may also include supporters such as close others and support workers as sources of information, contributing to data surrounding the experiences of the clinical population.

Concept: Studies that report on the interaction between support (informal or formal) and social participation for adults with physical disability living in the community.

Peer-reviewed articles that are based on research from countries in the Global North (including Australia, Canada, most European countries, New Zealand, the UK and the USA 32 ).

Exclusion criteria

Participants below the age of 18 or aged 65 or above.

The lower age limit of 18 has been selected as in most Global North countries, 18 is considered the age of adulthood and typically the youngest age people would move out of home. The upper age limit of 65 or above is reflective of the upper limit of those accepted onto the NDIS—Australia’s primary disability funding scheme. 33

Participants who reside in institutions, residential aged care or hospitals.

This has been selected as exclusion criteria as people with disability who do not live in the community often have very little choice and control over their participation in the community (if any at all) and often receive minimal purposive support to do so. 34 This body of literature regarding social participation for people who reside in settings such as institutions, residential aged care or hospitals has already been established 35 36 , therefore this piece of research seeks to explore the question in the context of people with disability living in the community.

Participants who do not have a physical disability (eg, participants with intellectual disability who do not also have a co-occurring physical disability).

This has been selected as exclusion criteria as people with different types of disabilities (eg, physical, intellectual, sensory or psychosocial) often have very different support needs. 16 Therefore, including all disability types would not provide a fair or accurate comparison when investigating the link between support and social participation.

Participants who do not have high or complex support needs, and therefore, do not require high levels of support (eg, participants who have a physical disability which may typically be considered ‘mild’, such as people with single limb amputations or limb difference).

This has been selected as exclusion criteria as people who have high or complex support needs often need hands-on support in order to access the community. 37 This need in itself places different barriers and facilitators on social participation, compared with people with disability who may have lower support needs, and therefore, be able to access their community independently.

After the conclusion of the literature search, all citations will be uploaded into Covidence and duplicate references will be removed. For title and abstract screening, two independent reviewers from the research team will review the citations against the outlined inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Following the title and abstract screening, any papers that meet the inclusion criteria will have their full text independently reviewed by two reviewers from the research team. For articles that are included after a full-text review, references for those articles will be scanned to identify any other literature relevant to this scoping review, as well as a forward search for citations of included articles.

Any uncertainties during this screening process, including disagreement on article inclusion, will be discussed between the independent reviewers and an agreement reached. If required, the inclusion/exclusion criteria or search strategy may be modified or a third reviewer from the research team will be consulted if agreement can not be reached.

The results of the literature search as well as the number of articles at each stage will be outlined in a full PRISMA-ScR flow diagram. 38

Charting the data

The data extraction form will be built iteratively as screening of articles and refinement of inclusion/exclusion criteria occurs to ensure suitability to the research question and eligibility criteria. The development and completion of the data extraction form will be a collaborative process between two reviewers from the research team. The data will then be extracted by the lead author.

It is anticipated that the data extraction form will collect the following pieces of information: (1) participant characteristics (age, gender, type of disability, population type (eg, people with disability, close others, informal or formal supports, professionals)), (2) housing characteristics (living status such as group home, single-residency, living with family, etc), (3) support characteristics (type of support such as paid support workers, family, professionals and quantity of support (eg, paid support hours, level of support (such as 24/7) received/required), (4) study characteristics (author, study year, study design/methodology, sample size, country of completion, measures), (5) qualitative data and quotes relevant to the research question and (6) quantitative data relevant to the research question.

Our intention is to also undertake a quality evaluation of included articles utilising the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme, allowing the methodological rigour of included articles to be reported on. 39

Collating, summarising and reporting the results

The collating, summarising and reporting of the results will be informed by the PRSIMA-ScR checklist. 27 A descriptive summary of the scoping review will outline the number of citations screened and the number of studies included at each stage. This will be presented in a PRISMA flow diagram.

The key characteristics of the final included articles will be summarised in both table and text formats. Quantitative and qualitative data will be analysed separately, with a narrative synthesis used to summarise the findings of all included articles into themes relevant to the scoping review’s research question. This process of a narrative synthesis will allow both quantitative and qualitative data to be discussed in tandem. Additionally, any gaps in the literature identified by the included articles or the authors of this paper will be identified and discussed.

Patient and public involvement

People with lived experience of having a physical disability which results in high or complex needs will be invited to review the first draft of this scoping review and put forward feedback and suggestions. The aim will be to recruit at least three paid consultants with a diversity of experiences via the existing networks of Summer Foundation’s and La Trobe University’s Living with Disability Research Centre. Lived experience consultants will be sent an electronic copy of the scoping review draft to review at their own pace and to provide feedback in a format that is accessible to them. The objective of this consultation process will be to ensure that the scoping review is informed by the lived experience perspective, assist in identifying any literature gaps that may have been missed and provide advice on dissemination of findings.

Limitations

The primary limitation of this scoping review is that the search strategy is limited to articles in English from the year 2013 onwards. While the year 2013 is deemed an important year for change in the disability landscape, this time limit is deemed an unavoidable limitation which reduces the scope of articles to be reviewed to a quantity which can be reasonably processed by the research team. There is also a risk that very few, if any articles, may be found on the research question of interest. However, although this may prevent the research question from being answered in this particular instance, a lack of articles will also provide justification for further research into this topic of interest.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics will not be required for this scoping review. The aim of this scoping review is to synthesise the existing literature on the interaction between support and social participation for people with physical disability and high or complex support needs. To the best of our knowledge, this will be the first scoping review in this particular topic area. It is believed that the results of this scoping review will assist in emphasising the importance of quality support in sufficient quantity in order for people with physical disabilities and high or complex support needs to feel that their social participation meets their goals and preferences. Where there is evidence of gaps in the literature, it is hoped that the scoping review will help inform future research in the area. It is anticipated that the findings of this scoping review will be made available in peer-reviewed publications and also in plain language formats to ensure accessibility to a wide range of audiences.

Ethics statements

Patient consent for publication.

Not applicable.

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Supplementary materials

Supplementary data.

This web only file has been produced by the BMJ Publishing Group from an electronic file supplied by the author(s) and has not been edited for content.

  • Data supplement 1

Contributors All authors (RE, JD, DW and LC) have made a substantial intellectual contribution. RE led the conceptualisation and completion of the review. RE, JD and DW contributed to the scope and design of the review. All authors (RE, JD, DW and LC) contributed to drafting, editing and revising the manuscript and gave approval for publication of this protocol.

Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

Competing interests None declared.

Patient and public involvement Patients and/or the public were not involved in the design, or conduct, or reporting, or dissemination plans of this research.

Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.

Supplemental material This content has been supplied by the author(s). It has not been vetted by BMJ Publishing Group Limited (BMJ) and may not have been peer-reviewed. Any opinions or recommendations discussed are solely those of the author(s) and are not endorsed by BMJ. BMJ disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on the content. Where the content includes any translated material, BMJ does not warrant the accuracy and reliability of the translations (including but not limited to local regulations, clinical guidelines, terminology, drug names and drug dosages), and is not responsible for any error and/or omissions arising from translation and adaptation or otherwise.

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