Topic for English Research Paper?

Question

We're starting a research paper in my AP English class, and I need to come up with a topic We're limited to a topic concerning literature. I've come up with a couple ideas, but a few more would be fantastic.

So far my serious ones include:
1. Can Sherlock Holmes be considered a hero (superhero)?
2. Comparing Macbeth to Hamlet (replace either with King Oedipus)
3. Themes in the poetry of Robert Frost
4. Existentialism in writing (not sure I like this one)

If you don't have any additional ideas, is there one listed that you think would be good?

thanks for all the ideas so far. they're all great, i've forgotten about some of the books i've read, but your ideas have reminded me of some of them. the mythology and 1984 topics are interesting.

Answer 1

A successful research topic usually meets the following criteria:

- The writer is genuinely interested in the topic, and willing to learn more about it;

- While the writer may be committed to a perspective on the topic, the writer can recognize the value and importance of perspectives that contest or complicate the writer's views;

- The topic is susceptible to analysis, rather than founded in articles of faith or personal tastes that readers cannot be expected to share;

- The topic can be researched; there are relevant facts and viewpoints on record in a variety of print and electronic sources;

- The topic matters, not just to the writer but to a broad potential readership. Good topics often start with a question that has something to do with how we live, what we care about, or what we may need to know; a good research question is one that raises more questions, and can't be answered simply.

I found these topics that you might like, there are many more online to give you ideas. I hope this helps. Good Luck! ;-)

TOPICS:

*An important strand of thought, an issue, in Victorian times, and how it affected the literature, or how it is represented in the literature: religion, Darwinism, feminism, divorce law, education, etc.

*The Concept of the “Divine Right of Kings” in Oedipus and in America (see various presidential speeches which invoke God or speak of divine sanction for an administration’s actions – ex. See inaugurals of Harry Truman and 2nd speech of George W. Bush.)

· The Plague of Thebes: Punishing the city to punish the King (discuss how it operates in Oedipus and perhaps in the Bible or in our lives as citizens today)

Sophocles’ Antigone:

*Polarities: Explore one or two of the contrasts in the play ( i.e., youth vs. age, gods vs. humans, pride vs. wisdom, freedom vs. bondage). Discuss them as public issues.

Kate Chopin’s “Story of an Hour”:

*Explore the story and the typical life of the American wife of the late 1800’s. How is Louise Mallard’s marital experience typical of her time?

Answer 2

I think that Existentialism in writing is too broad, if you were to use that essay topic you should narrow it down to a certain text, or texts. Out of your topics, I would choose either the comparison of Macbeth and Hamlet--perhaps by examining each of their tragic flaws, and how then both texts are tragic. I also like the narrowness of "themes in the poetry of Robert Frost". I would offer some additional suggestions, but I am not sure what you have read or what you are particularly interested in. Maybe, examine how Arthur Miller depicts the "American Dream" in "Death of a Salesman", and ,perhaps add another American text. Or, focus on alienation and isolation in Modern texts or poems--such as: something by T.S. Eliot, or Kafka. Good Luck.

Answer 3

How about these?:

1. Use of irony in Orwell's 1984 or compare Orwellian society to today's society (I love this book)
2. The Scarlet Letter and Modern Feminism (something along the lines of double standards)
3. Symbolism or themes in works by Edgar Allan Poe

Answer 4

Hercules and Superman - Same thing?

Christmas Carol - Where did Dickens get his inspiration from?

Did Emily Dickenson enjoy life by being obssesed with death?

Symbolisim and The Chronicles of Narnia.
Symbolisim in The Planet of the Apes.

Do writers write a book with a movie script in mind?

Edgar Allan Poe - Genius or madman?

Answer 5

If you choose a topic, begin researching, and realize that it isn’t the right decision for you for some reason, don’t fret! Although it requires a bit more time, you have the ability to change your topic even after you begin researching others.

Answer 6

Things that Sherlock Holmes did back in the days and what ways are people still influenced by them negative or positive.

Answer 7

Themes in the peotry of Robert Frost,i just wrote about him on a research paper,pretty easy to get and a whole lot of ideas too..if you like it,then i'll say do it

Answer 8

I like the Sherlock Holmes one -- or one you might do is how authors used to be like the movie stars of their time. That sort of thing.

Answer 9

a good topic would b the effectiveness of fiction stories on the lives of average people. u could talk about how much fiction stories affect people's perception of the world and their beliefs based on the characters they read about.

Answer 10

number 1 sounds like a good idea good luck