studyingHQ

150 Literature Research Topics and Ideas in 2025

Avatar of rachel r. N.

Literature research topics continue to evolve as we approach 2025, reflecting the changing landscape of literary studies and the world around us. This comprehensive guide offers 150 exciting literature research topics and ideas for students, scholars, and enthusiasts alike. From classic themes to contemporary issues, these topics span various genres, periods, and cultural contexts, providing ample opportunities for in-depth exploration and analysis.

Whether you’re working on a thesis, dissertation, or simply looking to expand your literary horizons, these literature research topics will inspire your academic journey and contribute to the ever-growing field of literary studies.

Literature research topics

What You'll Learn

Classic Literature Research Topics

Classic literature research topics remain relevant and continue to offer rich ground for exploration. These timeless works provide insights into human nature, historical contexts, and enduring themes that resonate across generations. Some compelling literature research topics in this category include:

  • The evolution of the hero’s journey in Greek mythology
  • Shakespeare’s use of metaphor and symbolism in his sonnets
  • The role of social class in Jane Austen’s novels
  • Gothic elements in Emily Brontë’s “Wuthering Heights”
  • The concept of morality in Fyodor Dostoevsky’s “Crime and Punishment”

These literature research topics allow scholars to delve into the foundations of literary tradition, examining how classic works have shaped contemporary literature and continue to influence modern readers and writers.

Contemporary Literature Research Topics

As we approach 2025, contemporary literature research topics reflect the rapidly changing world and its impact on literary expression. These topics often intersect with current social, political, and technological issues, offering fresh perspectives on the human experience. Some engaging literature research topics in this area include:

  • The rise of cli-fi (climate fiction) and its impact on environmental awareness
  • Representation of artificial intelligence in 21st-century novels
  • The influence of social media on narrative structures in contemporary fiction
  • Exploration of identity and intersectionality in modern LGBTQ+ literature
  • The role of magical realism in addressing political issues in Latin American literature

By exploring these literature research topics, scholars can contribute to ongoing discussions about the evolving nature of literature and its relationship to contemporary society.

Comparative Literature Research Topics

Comparative literature research topics offer opportunities to explore connections between different literary traditions, cultures, and time periods. These topics encourage interdisciplinary approaches and can reveal fascinating insights into the global nature of literary expression. Some intriguing literature research topics for comparative study include:

  • East-West literary exchanges: Influence of Japanese haiku on Western poetry
  • Comparative analysis of creation myths across different cultures
  • The evolution of the detective genre in American and British literature
  • Postcolonial themes in African and Caribbean literature
  • Representations of war in 20th-century European and Asian novels

These literature research topics promote cross-cultural understanding and highlight the interconnectedness of global literary traditions.

Genre-Specific Literature Research Topics

Focusing on specific genres can yield rich literature research topics that delve into the unique characteristics and evolution of different literary forms. From poetry to science fiction, each genre offers a wealth of research opportunities. Consider these literature research topics:

  • The role of unreliable narrators in contemporary mystery novels
  • Evolution of form and structure in experimental poetry
  • Exploration of gender roles in romance literature
  • The use of allegory in modern fantasy fiction
  • The influence of true crime on contemporary thriller novels

These genre-specific literature research topics allow for in-depth analysis of literary conventions, reader expectations, and the ways in which genres adapt to changing cultural contexts.

Interdisciplinary Literature Research Topics

Interdisciplinary approaches to literature research topics can reveal fascinating connections between literature and other fields of study. These topics often provide fresh perspectives and can lead to innovative research. Some thought-provoking interdisciplinary literature research topics include:

  • The intersection of neuroscience and stream-of-consciousness narratives
  • Ecological themes in contemporary poetry and their scientific foundations
  • The influence of psychoanalysis on character development in modernist literature
  • Mathematical structures and patterns in experimental fiction
  • The role of literature in shaping historical narratives and collective memory

By exploring these interdisciplinary literature research topics, scholars can contribute to a broader understanding of literature’s place in the wider academic and cultural landscape.

Digital Humanities and Literature Research Topics

As technology continues to shape literary studies, digital humanities offer exciting new avenues for literature research topics. These approaches combine traditional literary analysis with digital tools and methodologies. Some innovative literature research topics in this area include:

  • Text mining and sentiment analysis in large corpora of 19th-century novels
  • The impact of e-books and digital publishing on narrative structures
  • Virtual reality adaptations of classic literature: immersive storytelling techniques
  • Social network analysis of character relationships in complex narratives
  • The role of online fan communities in shaping contemporary literary interpretation

These literature research topics demonstrate the potential of digital tools to enhance our understanding of literary works and their cultural contexts.

Emerging Trends in Literature Research Topics

As we look towards 2025, several emerging trends are shaping new literature research topics. These topics reflect changing societal values, technological advancements, and evolving literary forms. Some cutting-edge literature research topics to consider include:

  • The rise of micro-fiction and its impact on narrative craft
  • Representation of non-binary and genderqueer identities in contemporary literature
  • The influence of video game narratives on traditional storytelling techniques
  • Exploration of post-pandemic themes in global literature
  • The role of AI-generated text in shaping future literary forms

By engaging with these emerging literature research topics, scholars can contribute to the ongoing evolution of literary studies and anticipate future trends in the field.

Related Article; Topics For Literature Based Research Paper

How to choose a research topic in literature?

To choose a research topic in literature, consider your interests, current trends in literary studies, and gaps in existing research. Start by reading widely in your area of interest, noting questions or themes that intrigue you. Consult with professors or peers, and review recent academic journals to identify potential research areas. Ensure your topic is specific enough to be manageable but broad enough to contribute meaningfully to the field.

How do you find a research topic for a literature review?

To find a research topic for a literature review, begin by identifying a broad area of interest within literature. Then, conduct preliminary research to familiarize yourself with key debates, theories, and gaps in the existing literature. Look for patterns, contradictions, or unanswered questions in your readings. Consider current trends and emerging issues in literary studies. Narrow your focus to a specific aspect or question that can be thoroughly explored within the scope of your review.

What are the topics mostly discussed in literature?

Literature encompasses a wide range of topics, but some of the most frequently discussed include:

  • Love, relationships, and human emotions
  • Identity and self-discovery
  • Social issues and injustice
  • Power dynamics and politics
  • Nature and the environment
  • Technology and its impact on society
  • War and conflict
  • Death and mortality
  • Cultural clashes and diversity
  • The human condition and existential questions

What are the topics for literary studies?

Literary studies cover a broad spectrum of topics, including:

  • Literary theory and criticism
  • Genre studies (e.g., poetry, drama, fiction)
  • Historical periods in literature
  • Comparative literature
  • World literature
  • Digital humanities in literary studies
  • Gender and sexuality in literature
  • Postcolonial literature
  • Ecocriticism and environmental literature
  • Psychoanalytic approaches to literature

These topics provide a foundation for various research directions within literary studies.

Start by filling this short order form order.studyinghq.com

And then follow the progressive flow. 

Having an issue, chat with us here

Cathy, CS. 

New Concept ? Let a subject expert write your paper for You​

Avatar of rachel r. N.

Post navigation

Previous post.

📕 Studying HQ

Typically replies within minutes

Hey! 👋 Need help with an assignment?

🟢 Online | Privacy policy

WhatsApp us

Illustration

  • Research Paper Guides
  • Research Paper Topics

Literature Research Paper Topics: 250 Top Ideas

  • Speech Topics
  • Basics of Essay Writing
  • Essay Topics
  • Other Essays
  • Main Academic Essays
  • Basics of Research Paper Writing
  • Miscellaneous
  • Chicago/ Turabian
  • Data & Statistics
  • Methodology
  • Admission Writing Tips
  • Admission Advice
  • Other Guides
  • Student Life
  • Studying Tips
  • Understanding Plagiarism
  • Academic Writing Tips
  • Basics of Dissertation & Thesis Writing

Illustration

  • Essay Guides
  • Formatting Guides
  • Basics of Research Process
  • Admission Guides
  • Dissertation & Thesis Guides

Literary_Research_Paper_Topics

Table of contents

Illustration

Use our free Readability checker

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.

Illustration

We would like to remind you that our professional writers are available 24/7 and will be glad to help you. StudyCrumb provides the best research paper writing service quickly and efficiently. Fill out the form on our website, and don't worry about anything else.

Joe_Eckel_1_ab59a03630.jpg

Joe Eckel is an expert on Dissertations writing. He makes sure that each student gets precious insights on composing A-grade academic writing.

You may also like

Education Research Topics

StatAnalytica

Top 300 Engaging Literature Research Paper Topics

Literature Research Paper Topics

Are you ready to dive into the fascinating world of literature? This guide is your passport to exploring fascinating literature research paper topics that will spark your curiosity and imagination. Whether you’re passionate about classic novels, modern poetry, or even graphic novels, there’s a topic here waiting to be discovered by you.

Uncover themes that echo across cultures, analyze the impact of influential authors, or even dive into the evolution of storytelling through the ages. From Shakespeare’s timeless works to contemporary masterpieces, this compilation offers a treasure of ideas that will make your research journey exciting and fulfilling.

Discover the power of words, uncover the mysteries behind beloved characters, and explore the socio-cultural contexts that shaped literary movements. Get ready to go on an intellectual adventure that will deepen your appreciation for the writings.

So, grab your notebook and pen, and let’s start this exciting literary exploration together. 

What Are The Key Elements Of A Good Research Paper?

Table of Contents

A good research paper should contain several key elements to ensure its effectiveness, credibility, and impact. When these elements come together effectively, they create a research paper that is rigid, insightful, and contributes meaningfully to its academic or professional domain. They are as:

  • Clear and Focused Topic: A well-defined and specific research question or topic that is relevant and interesting.
  • Thorough Literature Review: A complete review of existing literature to establish context, identify gaps, and support the research hypothesis or argument.
  • Solid Methodology: Clear explanation of the research methods employed, whether qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods, ensuring they are appropriate for the research question.
  • Credible Sources: Reliance on credible and scholarly sources to support arguments and findings. This includes peer-reviewed journals, academic books, and reputable websites.
  • Strong Thesis Statement: A concise and arguable thesis statement that articulates the main argument or point of the paper.
  • Logical Structure: A well-organized structure with clear divisions containing introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion.
  • Critical Analysis: A critical evaluation of data or literature, providing insightful analysis and interpretation, not just summary.
  • Proper Citations and References: Accurate and consistent citation of sources following a specific citation style (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.).
  • Clarity and Precision: Clear, concise, and precise writing that is free from jargon or unnecessary complexity, ensuring accessibility to a wide audience.
  • Conclusion and Implications: A strong conclusion that summarizes key findings and discusses their implications, suggesting avenues for further research or application.
  • Editing and Proofreading: Thorough editing and proofreading to eliminate errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling, ensuring a polished final product.
  • Originality and Contribution: Demonstrating original thought, analysis, or contribution to the field, providing new insights or perspectives.

Now for your convenience, we have categorized the literature research topics under different categories, and they are as follows:

Top 20 Research Paper Topics On Shakespearean Studies

  • Portrayal of Women in Shakespearean Plays
  • Exploration of Tragic Flaws in Shakespearean Characters
  • The Influence of Greek Tragedy on Shakespearean Drama
  • Shakespeare’s Sonnets: Themes and Analysis
  • Political Themes in Shakespearean Plays
  • The Role of Comedy in Shakespeare’s Works
  • Adaptations of Shakespearean Plays in Modern Media
  • Analysis of Shakespeare’s Historical Accuracy
  • Madness and Sanity in Shakespearean Characters
  • The Concept of Love and Relationships in Shakespeare’s Works
  • Shakespearean Villains: Motivations and Representations
  • Religious Elements in Shakespearean Plays
  • Comparative Study of Tragedies and Comedies in Shakespearean Literature
  • Gender Roles and Identity in Shakespearean Society
  • Shakespeare’s Influence on English Language and Literature
  • Exploration of Revenge in Shakespearean Plays
  • Psychological Depth in Shakespearean Characters
  • Theatrical Performance Techniques in Shakespearean Era
  • The Theme of Power and Authority in Shakespeare’s Works
  • Interpretation of Fate and Destiny in Shakespearean Plays

Top 20 Research Paper Topics On Modernist Literature

  • Stream of Consciousness Narratives in Modernist Literature
  • The Role of Urban Settings in Modernist Novels
  • Fragmentation and Experimental Structures in Modernist Writing
  • Modernist Poetry: Innovation and Themes
  • Political and Social Critique in Modernist Literature
  • Modernist Women Writers and Their Impact
  • Influence of World War I on Modernist Literature
  • Change from Realism to Modernism in Literature
  • Modernist Literature and the Exploration of Identity
  • Modernist Short Stories: Techniques and Themes
  • Symbolism and Imagery in Modernist Novels
  • Streamlining Time and Narrative in Modernist Fiction
  • Transatlantic Modernism: Comparing American and European Movements
  • Modernist Plays and Theatrical Innovations
  • Modernist Literature and Psychoanalytic Theories
  • Interwar Period and Modernist Literature
  • Modernist Literature and the Cityscape
  • Religious and Spiritual Motifs in Modernist Works
  • Feminist Perspectives in Modernist Writing
  • Modernist Literature: Reactions to Industrialization and Modernity

Top 20 Research Paper Topics On Post-Colonial Literature

  • Decolonization and Identity in Post-Colonial Literature
  • Subaltern Voices in Post-Colonial Texts
  • Effect of Colonialism on Cultural Hybridity in Literature
  • Post-Colonial Literature and Resistance Narratives
  • Colonial Trauma and Memory in Post-Colonial Writing
  • Post-Colonial Feminism in Literature
  • Nationalism and Post-Colonial Identity
  • Post-Colonialism and Language Politics in Literature
  • Indigenous Perspectives in Post-Colonial Texts
  • Diasporic Literature in Post-Colonial Contexts
  • Globalization and Post-Colonial Literary Discourse
  • Postcolonial Ecocriticism in Literature
  • Power Dynamics and Post-Colonial Representation
  • Post-Colonialism and Magical Realism in Literature
  • Postcolonialism and Postmodernism in Literary Works
  • Subversion of Colonial Stereotypes in Literature
  • Hybrid Identities in Post-Colonial Texts
  • Post-Colonial Literature and the Politics of Place
  • Post-Colonial Literature and Reimagining History
  • Post-Colonial Literature and the Legacy of Empire

Top 20 Research Paper Topics On Feminist Perspectives in Literature

  • Representation of Women in Classic Literature: Challenges and Transformations
  • Feminist Critique of Patriarchal Norms in Literature
  • Intersectionality in Feminist Literature
  • Feminist Reinterpretation of Fairy Tales and Folklore
  • Female Bildungsroman in Literature
  • Ecofeminism and Environmental Concerns in Literature
  • Motherhood and Maternal Experience in Literature
  • Feminist Dystopian Literature: Power and Resistance
  • Body Politics and Feminist Discourse in Literary Works
  • Feminist Perspectives on Sexuality and Gender Identity in Literature
  • Feminist Satire and Irony in Literature
  • Women’s Writing and Feminist Literary Canon
  • Feminist Themes in Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature
  • Feminist Perspectives on Women of Color in Literature
  • Feminist Manifestos and Essays in Literary Contexts
  • Feminist Revisioning of Mythology and Legends in Literature
  • Feminist Utopian Visions in Literary Works
  • Feminist Perspectives on Marriage and Relationships in Literature
  • Feminist Critique of Male Authors and their Representation of Women
  • Feminist Discourse in Contemporary Literature

Top 20 Research Paper Topics On Literary Criticism and Theory

  • Structuralism and its Impact on Literary Criticism
  • Post-structuralist Perspectives in Literary Theory
  • New Criticism: Analysis of Textual Elements
  • Reader-response Theory and Interpretation in Literature
  • Formalism and its Influence on Literary Analysis
  • Marxist Literary Criticism: Class and Ideology in Texts
  • Psychoanalytic Literary Theory and Character Analysis
  • Feminist Literary Criticism: Gender and Power Dynamics
  • Deconstructionist Theory in Literary Analysis
  • Postcolonial Literary Criticism and its Applications
  • Queer Theory in Literary Interpretation
  • Ecocriticism and Environmental Literary Theory
  • Aestheticism and the Philosophy of Art in Literature
  • Cultural Studies and Literary Criticism
  • Critical Race Theory and Literature
  • Comparative Literature and Critical Theory
  • Reception Theory and its Impact on Literary Studies
  • Formalist Literary Theory and Russian Formalism
  • Semiotics and Significance in Literary Criticism
  • Narrative Theory and its Role in Analyzing Texts

Top 20 Research Paper Topics On Comparative Literature

  • Comparative Analysis of Mythological Narratives across Cultures
  • Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Shakespearean Plays
  • Comparative Study of Fairy Tales from Different Regions
  • Multilingualism in Comparative Literature
  • Comparative Exploration of Epic Poetry
  • Cultural Exchange in Translated Literary Works
  • Comparative Analysis of Post-War Literature from Various Countries
  • Comparative Approaches to Folklore and Oral Traditions
  • Interdisciplinary Studies in Comparative Literature
  • Comparative Study of Contemporary Graphic Novels Worldwide
  • Comparative Analysis of Existential Themes in World Literature
  • Comparative Analysis of Literary Movements in Different Regions
  • Comparative Perspectives on Colonial and Post-Colonial Literature
  • Comparative Study of Detective Fiction across Cultures
  • Comparative Analysis of Tragic Drama in Different Cultures
  • Comparative Study of Bildungsroman Novels from Various Cultures
  • Comparative Analysis of Magical Realism in World Literature
  • Comparative Exploration of Science Fiction in Different Languages
  • Comparative Study of Feminist Literature Globally
  • Comparative Perspectives on Utopian and Dystopian Fiction

Top 20 Research Paper Topics On LGBTQ+ Themes in Literature

  • LGBTQ+ Representation in Classic Literature
  • Queer Theory and its Application in Literary Analysis
  • LGBTQ+ Coming-of-Age Narratives in Literature
  • Transgender Identities in Literature
  • LGBTQ+ Themes in Contemporary Poetry
  • LGBTQ+ Relationships in Historical Fiction
  • Homosexuality and Gender Fluidity in Mythological Texts
  • LGBTQ+ Memoirs and Autobiographies in Literature
  • LGBTQ+ Themes in Young Adult Literature
  • LGBTQ+ Voices in Science Fiction and Fantasy
  • LGBTQ+ Perspectives in Graphic Novels and Comics
  • LGBTQ+ Characters in Children’s Literature
  • LGBTQ+ Themes in Theater and Performance Arts
  • Intersectionality and LGBTQ+ Literature
  • LGBTQ+ Themes in Diasporic Literature
  • LGBTQ+ Activism and Representation in Literature
  • LGBTQ+ Themes in Mystery and Crime Fiction
  • LGBTQ+ Themes in Non-Western Literary Traditions
  • LGBTQ+ Themes in Postcolonial Literature
  • LGBTQ+ Representation in Speculative Fiction

Top 20 Research Paper Topics On Science Fiction and Fantasy

  • Evolution of Science Fiction: From Pulp to Modern
  • Dystopian Futures in Science Fiction Literature
  • Hard Science Fiction: Exploring Scientific Accuracy in Sci-Fi
  • Cyberpunk Literature: Technology and Society
  • Feminist Themes in Science Fiction
  • Space Opera and Epic Science Fiction
  • Alternate Realities in Fantasy Literature
  • Magic Systems in Fantasy Worlds
  • Mythological Influences in Fantasy Literature
  • Time Travel in Science Fiction and Fantasy
  • Artificial Intelligence in Science Fiction
  • Alien Cultures and Intergalactic Politics in Sci-Fi
  • Folklore and Fairy Tales in Fantasy Writing
  • Steampunk: Victorian Era Reimagined in Literature
  • Post-Apocalyptic Narratives in Science Fiction
  • Superheroes and Supervillains in Comics and Novels
  • Evolution of Robots and Androids in Sci-Fi
  • Quests and Journeys in Fantasy Epics
  • Environmental Themes in Science Fiction
  • Multiverse Theory in Speculative Fiction

Top 20 Research Paper Topics On African American Literature

  • Harlem Renaissance and Its Literary Legacy
  • Slave Narratives in African American Literature
  • Civil Rights Movement in African American Writing
  • Oral Traditions in African American Literature
  • Folklore and Mythology in African American Stories
  • African American Women Writers: Their Contributions
  • Reconstruction Era Literature and its Significance
  • Jazz and Blues Influences in African American Writing
  • Contemporary Voices in African American Literature
  • Intersectionality and Identity in African American Writing
  • Symbolism of the African Diaspora in Literature
  • Afrofuturism in African American Literature
  • Urban Realism and African American Urban Experience
  • Religion and Spirituality in African American Writing
  • LGBTQ+ Themes in African American Literature
  • African American Children’s Literature
  • The Impact of Toni Morrison’s Literary Contributions
  • African American Poetry: Tradition and Innovation
  • Critique of Racism in African American Literature
  • African American Short Stories and Their Impact

Top 20 Research Paper Topics On Environmental Literature

  • Ecocriticism: Exploring Nature in Literature
  • Environmental Activism in Literary Works
  • Wilderness and the American Imagination in Literature
  • Climate Change Narratives in Environmental Literature
  • Nature Writing and the Natural World in Literature
  • Urban Ecology in Literary Works
  • Indigenous Perspectives on Nature in Literature
  • Environmental Ethics in Literary Discourse
  • Flora and Fauna in Environmental Literature
  • Environmental Justice and Literature
  • Posthumanism and Nature in Literary Contexts
  • Landscapes and Identities in Environmental Writing
  • Ecolinguistics and Language in Environmental Literature
  • Sustainable Living in Literary Narratives
  • Environmental Catastrophe in Fiction and Non-Fiction
  • Evolution of the Environmental Movement in Literature
  • Biodiversity and Conservation in Literary Texts
  • Waterscapes and Maritime Literature in an Environmental Context
  • Rewilding and Restoration in Environmental Narratives
  • Rural vs. Urban Perspectives in Environmental Literature

Top 20 Research Paper Topics On Mythology and Folklore in Literature

  • Comparative Analysis of Creation Myths Worldwide
  • Heroic Archetypes in Mythological Epics
  • Role of Trickster Figures in Folklore Narratives
  • Mythological Symbolism in Modern Literature
  • Goddesses and Feminine Archetypes in Mythology
  • Folklore and Oral Tradition Preservation in Literature
  • Supernatural Entities in Folklore Narratives
  • Mythological Influences on Fantasy Fiction
  • Mythical Creatures and Beasts in Literature
  • Cultural Significance of Mythological Heroes
  • Transformational Journeys in Mythological Tales
  • Sacred Texts and Mythological Interpretations
  • Shamanism and Mythology in Literature
  • Mythological Motifs in Children’s Literature
  • Folklore Rituals and Ceremonies in Literary Contexts
  • Mythological Retellings in Contemporary Fiction
  • Folklore Adaptations in Theater and Performance Arts
  • Archetypal Patterns in Mythological Stories
  • Mythological Elements in Poetry and Songs
  • Comparative Study of Mythical Lands in Literature

Top 20 Research Paper Topics On Gothic Literature

  • Psychological Themes in Gothic Literature
  • Gothic Elements in Victorian Novels
  • The Supernatural in Gothic Fiction
  • Gothic Architecture and Settings in Literature
  • Female Gothic and Gender Dynamics
  • Gothic Literature and the Sublime
  • Madness and Mental Illness in Gothic Texts
  • Gothic Romanticism and Love Themes
  • Gothic Literature: Villains and Antiheroes
  • Death and Decay in Gothic Novels
  • Gothic Influence on Contemporary Horror
  • Gothic Revival in Modern Literature
  • Religion and the Occult in Gothic Stories
  • The Role of Nature in Gothic Fiction
  • Gothic Tropes in Mystery and Suspense
  • Gothic Literature: Fear and Terror
  • Gothic Elements in Graphic Novels
  • Gothic Symbolism and Imagery
  • Female Empowerment in Gothic Novels
  • Gothic Subculture and Its Literary Impact

Top 20 Research Paper Topics On Children’s Literature

  • Evolution of Fairy Tales in Children’s Literature
  • Moral Lessons in Classic Children’s Stories
  • Representation of Gender Roles in Children’s Books
  • Picture Books and Visual Storytelling for Children
  • Diversity and Inclusion in Contemporary Children’s Literature
  • Coming-of-Age Themes in Young Adult Fiction
  • Education and Learning in Children’s Literature
  • Animal Characters in Children’s Stories
  • Adventure and Quests in Children’s Fantasy
  • Psychological Development in Children’s Books
  • Folklore and Folktales for Young Readers
  • Environmental Themes in Children’s Literature
  • Humor and Wit in Children’s Stories
  • Historical Fiction for Young Readers
  • Multicultural Perspectives in Children’s Literature
  • Friendship and Relationships in Kids’ Books
  • Empowerment and Resilience in Children’s Stories
  • Ethical Dilemmas and Decision-Making in Children’s Fiction
  • Fairy Tale Retellings in Contemporary Children’s Literature
  • Literary Adaptations for Children’s Theatre

Top 20 Research Paper Topics On Literature of the Harlem Renaissance

  • Effect of the Harlem Renaissance on African American Literature
  • The Role of Jazz and Music in Harlem Renaissance Literature
  • Harlem Renaissance Poetry: Themes and Innovations
  • Political and Social Commentary in Harlem Renaissance Writing
  • Harlem Renaissance Novelists and their Contributions
  • The Influence of Langston Hughes in the Harlem Renaissance
  • Artistic Expression and Visual Arts in the Harlem Renaissance
  • Women Writers and Feminist Perspectives in the Harlem Renaissance
  • Harlem Renaissance and the Great Migration
  • Literary Magazines and Publications of the Harlem Renaissance
  • The Impact of Harlem Renaissance on American Culture
  • Harlem Renaissance Playwrights and Theater Productions
  • Harlem Renaissance and the Evolution of African American Identity
  • Folklore and Oral Traditions in Harlem Renaissance Literature
  • Critiques of Racial Injustice in Harlem Renaissance Texts
  • Harlem Renaissance Short Stories: Themes and Techniques
  • LGBTQ+ Themes and Identities in Harlem Renaissance Literature
  • Harlem Renaissance and the Birth of the New Negro Movement
  • Harlem Renaissance and the Exploration of African Heritage
  • Harlem Renaissance Legacy in Contemporary Literature

Top 20 Research Paper Topics On Asian Literature and Cultural Influences

  • Themes of Tradition and Modernity in Asian Literature
  • The Influence of Buddhism on Asian Literary Works
  • Confucianism and Its Impact on Asian Literature
  • Women’s Voices in Asian Literature
  • The Role of Nature in Asian Literary Traditions
  • Comparative Analysis of East Asian Literary Movements
  • The Impact of War on Asian Literary Narratives
  • Folklore and Mythological Influences in Asian Literature
  • Postcolonial Perspectives in Asian Literary Works
  • Representations of Cultural Identity in South Asian Literature
  • The Role of Family and Community in Asian Literary Texts
  • Diasporic Narratives in Asian Literature
  • Indigenous Perspectives in Asian Literary Traditions
  • Religious Syncretism in Asian Literary Themes
  • Urbanization and Changing Landscapes in Asian Literature
  • LGBTQ+ Themes in Contemporary Asian Literature
  • Magical Realism in Asian Literary Contexts
  • Exploring Colonial Legacies in Asian Literature
  • Environmental Concerns in Asian Literary Narratives
  • Asian Literature in Global Contexts

Exploring these diverse literature research paper topics offers a gateway to endless possibilities. Your journey through these themes and ideas isn’t just about writing papers it’s about discovering new worlds and perspectives. Take what you’ve learned and let it fuel your curiosity even further. Share your insights with others, start discussions, and inspire curiosity in those around you. 

Remember, literature isn’t confined to books; it’s a reflection of our world, our history, and our dreams. So, as you conclude this exploration, consider how these topics have broadened your horizons and continue seeking the stories that resonate with you. Keep exploring, keep learning, and keep the magic of literature alive.

Related Posts

best way to finance car

Step by Step Guide on The Best Way to Finance Car

how to get fund for business

The Best Way on How to Get Fund For Business to Grow it Efficiently

logo

The Best Literature Research Topics for Any Paper

gradecrest-hero-image

Literature research offers a gateway into understanding human experiences, evolution, cultures, and societies through various narrative forms. As a student, enthusiastic reader, or scholar, choosing a compelling research topic in literature can be both exciting and daunting. However, when you select the right literature topic, you can be sure that your research and writing process will be seamless. With a wealth of literary works available, choosing the best topic can be challenging. Knowing what types of topics are good and what are not matters a lot. The best topics are those that originate from your encounter with a piece of literary work, but you can widen your scope. In this guide, we have carefully selected the best topics to make work easier for you when writing a literature research paper. We also have expert writers who can help you. 

What types of Topics are the best for Literature Assignments?

When a professor, instructor, or teacher gives you the chance to select a topic that they can approve for your literature assignment, count yourself lucky. Lucky in the sense that you have the freedom to research, evaluate your options, and select a topic you are comfortable writing about, one that will hold value in your entire paper. As you start to research a suitable topic, consider selecting a topic that:

  • Allows you to discuss the characters of a literary work.
  • Presents an opportunity for you to compare or contrast the choices of different authors or characters in the piece of literary work.
  • Allows you to examine a literary work from a philosophical perspective.
  • It can allow you to look at the historical events leading to a particular literary work.
  • Has the depth to allow you to deconstruct a particular literary piece.
  • Allows you to examine a work from political, religious, economic, technological, and social perspectives.
  • Allows you to analyze the themes in a piece of work.

You can get inspiration from the internet and from essays written by scholars examining different pieces of literary works. Focus on both primary and secondary sources when identifying the worth of a topic.

How to Choose a Literature Research Topic: Tips

Selecting a research topic is a crucial step in conducting meaningful literary analysis. Here are some tips to guide your decision:

  • Interests and Passions. Choose a topic that resonates with your interests. If you are passionate about a particular author, genre, or literary period, your enthusiasm will reflect in your research.
  • Scope and Specificity. Define the scope of your topic. Broad topics can be overwhelming, so narrow down your focus to a specific aspect of literature, such as a particular theme, literary device, or historical context.
  • Relevance. Consider the relevance of your topic in the current literary discourse. Topics that address contemporary issues or offer new perspectives on classic works can be particularly valuable.
  • Research Material. Ensure there is ample research material available. A well-chosen topic should have enough scholarly resources, primary texts, and secondary sources to support a comprehensive analysis.
  • Originality. Aim for originality in your topic. While it is essential to build on existing research, offering a fresh perspective or exploring under-researched areas can make your work stand out.
  • Feasibility. Assess the feasibility of your topic in terms of time, resources, and access to texts. Choose a topic that can be realistically researched within your available timeframe and resources.

Features of a Good Literature Research Topic

A good literature research topic has several key features:

  • Clear and Specific. The topic should be clearly defined and specific enough to guide focused research. Avoid vague or overly broad subjects.
  • Engaging and Relevant. An engaging topic captures interest and holds relevance to current literary discussions or debates. It should offer something new or insightful to the field.
  • Researchable.  A researchable topic has sufficient sources and data available for analysis. Ensure there are enough primary and secondary sources to support your research.
  • Innovative. Look for topics that offer innovative angles or challenge existing interpretations. This can involve examining lesser-known works or revisiting classic texts with new theoretical frameworks.
  • Manageable. Choose a topic that is manageable in terms of scope and complexity. Ensure it can be covered adequately within the limits of your research project.

Best Places to Get Literature Topics and Ideas

Finding inspiration for literature research topics can come from various sources:

  • Literary Journals and Magazines. Read academic journals and literary magazines to stay updated on current research trends and debates.
  • Classical and Contemporary Literature. Explore both classical and contemporary works to identify themes, characters, or stylistic elements that intrigue you.
  • Literature Courses. Review syllabus and course materials from literature courses to discover topics that have been explored in academic settings.
  • Author Interviews and Biographies. Examine interviews and biographies of authors to gain insights into their works and possible research angles .
  • Research Databases . Utilize academic databases like JSTOR, Google Scholar, and Project MUSE to access scholarly articles and research papers.
  • Literary Theories and Criticism. Explore various literary theories and critical approaches to find new ways of analyzing texts.
  • Online Forums and Academic Communities. Participate in online forums, academic communities, and discussion groups to exchange ideas and get feedback on potential topics.
  • Library Resources. Consult librarians and library resources for guidance on finding relevant texts and research materials.

Comprehensive List of Literature Research Topics

Our experts offer the best research paper writing service on the web. We are also widely known for writing original, plagiarism-free, and top-grade literature essays. Having done over 1000 papers on English and Literature, we felt like it is time to create a comprehensive list of literature topics that you can consider for your essay or research paper. Although not exhaustive, this list of topics gives you a head start when selecting a topic.

  • The role of fairy tales in shaping childhood imagination.
  • The influence of Gothic literature on modern horror.
  • The development of the romantic novel: from early Gothic to contemporary variations.
  • The use of science fiction to explore ethical dilemmas.
  • The evolution of detective fiction: from Poe to modern thrillers.
  • The impact of feminist science fiction on gender representation.
  • The influence of classical tragedy on modern drama.
  • The role of satire in analyzing social norms.
  • The rise of the memoir genre and its literary implications.
  • The use of poetic forms in political protest literature.
  • Analyze the theme of identity in contemporary literature.
  • Explore the use of symbolism in classic American novels.
  • Examine the role of nature in Romantic poetry.
  • Investigate the portrayal of women in Victorian literature.
  • Discuss the impact of war on 20th-century fiction.
  • Analyze the representation of mental illness in modern novels.
  • Explore the influence of folklore on fantasy literature.
  • Investigate the theme of isolation in Gothic fiction.
  • Examine the use of unreliable narrators in contemporary fiction.
  • Discuss the role of social class in 19th-century literature.
  • Analyze the theme of redemption in modern literature.
  • Explore the portrayal of family dynamics in contemporary fiction.
  • Investigate the influence of existentialism on 20th-century literature.
  • Examine the role of cultural identity in postcolonial literature.
  • Discuss the impact of digital technology on literary forms.
  • Analyze the use of stream of consciousness in modernist literature.
  • Explore the theme of memory and trauma in contemporary fiction.
  • Investigate the portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters in modern literature.
  • Examine the influence of mythology on classical and modern texts.
  • Discuss the role of dystopian narratives in contemporary literature.
  • Analyze the theme of love and betrayal in Shakespearean plays.
  • Explore the impact of feminist theory on literary criticism.
  • Investigate the use of intertextuality in postmodern literature.
  • Examine the representation of childhood in classic and modern literature.
  • Discuss the influence of cultural heritage on immigrant narratives.
  • Analyze the portrayal of historical events in historical fiction.
  • Explore the role of satire in critiquing societal norms.
  • Investigate the theme of freedom and confinement in literature.
  • Examine the use of magical realism in Latin American literature.
  • Discuss the representation of mental health in young adult fiction.
  • Analyze the influence of political movements on literary expression.
  • Explore the portrayal of friendship in classic and contemporary novels.
  • Investigate the role of religion in shaping literary themes.
  • Examine the use of allegory in medieval literature.
  • Discuss the impact of social media on modern literary trends.
  • Analyze the theme of ambition and downfall in classic tragedies.
  • Explore the representation of the hero’s journey in fantasy literature.
  • Investigate the portrayal of race and ethnicity in contemporary literature.
  • Examine the influence of philosophical ideas on literary works.
  • Discuss the role of nature and the environment in eco-literature.
  • Analyze the theme of exile and belonging in immigrant literature.
  • Explore the use of narrative voice in contemporary fiction.
  • Investigate the portrayal of justice and morality in classic literature.
  • Examine the influence of historical context on literary works.
  • Discuss the role of family secrets in shaping narrative structures.
  • Analyze the representation of urban life in modern literature.
  • Explore the theme of fate versus free will in classic literature.
  • Investigate the portrayal of adolescence in young adult novels.
  • Examine the use of irony and paradox in modernist literature.
  • Discuss the impact of literary awards on contemporary literary trends.
  • Dystopian projections and environmental collapse in Margaret Atwood’s "Oryx and Crake".
  • Magical realism and historical context in Salman Rushdie’s "Midnight’s Children".
  • Class struggle and social mobility in Charles Dickens’s "Great Expectations".
  • Existential anxiety and bureaucratic oppression in Franz Kafka’s "The Trial".
  • The impact of childhood trauma on identity in Khaled Hosseini’s "The Kite Runner."
  • Exploitation of labor and industrialization in Upton Sinclair’s "The Jungle."
  • Capitalism and social injustice in John Steinbeck’s "The Grapes of Wrath."
  • The theme of illusion vs. reality in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s "The Great Gatsby".
  • Cultural clash and colonialism in Chinua Achebe’s "Things Fall Apart."
  • Ecofeminism and environmental ethics in Barbara Kingsolver’s "Prodigal Summer."
  • The symbolism of the Mississippi River and American identity in Mark Twain’s "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn".
  • Moral ambiguity and justice in Fyodor Dostoevsky’s "Crime and Punishment."
  • Themes of loss, guilt, and redemption in Ian McEwan’s "Atonement".
  • Feminist perspectives and gender roles in Virginia Woolf’s "To the Lighthouse."
  • Violence and social control in Anthony Burgess’s "A Clockwork Orange."
  • Oppression and totalitarianism in George Orwell’s "1984".
  • Transcendentalism and self-reliance in Henry David Thoreau’s "Walden."
  • Paradox and nonsense in Lewis Carroll’s "Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland".
  • Antiheroes and moral ambiguity in Bret Easton Ellis’s "American Psycho."
  • Power dynamics and human nature in William Golding’s "Lord of the Flies."
  • Dystopian futures and genetic engineering in Margaret Atwood’s "Oryx and Crake."
  • Magical realism as a tool for political critique in Salman Rushdie’s "Midnight’s Children".
  • Economic disparities and social mobility in Dickens’s "Great Expectations".
  • Existential dread and identity crisis in Kafka’s "The Trial".
  • The psychological impact of war and trauma in Khaled Hosseini’s "The Kite Runner".
  • The industrialization of America and labor exploitation in Sinclair’s "The Jungle."
  • Social critique and economic inequality in Steinbeck’s "The Grapes of Wrath."
  • The American Dream and its discontents in Fitzgerald’s "The Great Gatsby."
  • Cultural imperialism and Indigenous traditions in Achebe’s "Things Fall Apart."
  • Ecofeminist critique and nature’s role in Kingsolver’s "Prodigal Summer."

Modernist Literature Research Paper Topics

  • Analyze the use of stream of consciousness in James Joyce’s
  • Investigate the themes of alienation and fragmentation in T.S. Eliot’s The Waste Land .
  • Examine the portrayal of existential angst in Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis .
  • Discuss the influence of World War I on the works of Virginia Woolf.
  • Analyze the exploration of time and memory in Marcel Proust’s In Search of Lost Time .
  • Investigate the role of unreliable narrators in modernist literature.
  • Examine the impact of Freud’s psychoanalytic theory on the narrative structure of D.H. Lawrence’s works.
  • Discuss the representation of gender and sexuality in Radclyffe Hall’s The Well of Loneliness.
  • Analyze the themes of disillusionment and loss in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby.
  • Investigate the depiction of modern urban life in John Dos Passos’ USA trilogy.
  • Examine the use of myth and symbolism in T.S. Eliot’s poetry.
  • Discuss the portrayal of cultural dislocation and identity in Jean Rhys’ Wide Sargasso Sea.
  • Analyze the experimental narrative techniques in William Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury .
  • Investigate the influence of avant-garde movements on modernist literature.
  • Examine the role of nature and the pastoral in Robert Frost’s poetry.
  • Discuss the exploration of racial identity and cultural heritage in Nella Larsen’s Passing .
  • Analyze the depiction of the modern woman in Dorothy Richardson’s Pilgrimage series.
  • Investigate the themes of power and colonialism in Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness.
  • Examine the representation of the artist in Thomas Mann’s Death in Venice .
  • Discuss the impact of technological advancements on the themes and styles of modernist literature.

Interdisciplinary Literature Topics and Ideas

  • The intersection of literature and philosophy: existentialism in modern fiction.
  • Literature and psychology: exploring character development and mental health.
  • The role of sociology in understanding literary trends and themes.
  • Literature and history: the representation of historical events in fiction.
  • The impact of economics on literary production and distribution.
  • Literature and religion: exploring faith and belief systems in texts.
  • The influence of political science on understanding literary movements.
  • Literature and gender studies: examining gender representation and identity.
  • The role of environmental studies in ecocritical literature.
  • Literature and art: the interplay between visual arts and literary imagery.

Literature topics on Culture and Regional Studies

  • The representation of colonialism in Caribbean literature.
  • Indigenous narratives and their role in contemporary literature.
  • The influence of Chinese culture on modern Asian-american literature.
  • The role of African American folklore in shaping literary tradition.
  • The portrayal of European identity in 20th century literature.
  • The impact of Latin American political history on literary expression.
  • The role of gender and class in south Asian literature.
  • The influence of Australian aboriginal culture on national literature.
  • The representation of Middle Eastern conflicts in contemporary literature.
  • The role of nationalism in Russian literature.

Literary Theory Topics and Research Ideas

  • Applying Marxist theory to analyze class structures in Charles Dickens’ novels.
  • The application of psychoanalytic theory to understanding character motivations in Shakespeare’s plays.
  • Using postcolonial theory to examine colonialism in Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness.
  • The role of feminist theory in analyzing gender dynamics in Jane Austen’s works.
  • Applying queer theory to explore non-normative sexualities in Virginia Woolf’s literature.
  • Ecocriticism is used to analyze environmental themes in Rachel Carson's works.
  • The application of deconstruction to examine ambiguities in Franz Kafka’s The Trial .
  • Using reader-response criticism to explore audience interpretation of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series.
  • Applying historical criticism to understand contextual influences in Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn .
  • The role of formalism in analyzing poetic form and structure in John Donne’s poetry.

Literary Themes Research Topics

  • The representation of war in 20th-century literature.
  • Exploring the theme of isolation in Gothic fiction.
  • The role of nature in romantic poetry.
  • The impact of trauma on characters in postmodern literature.
  • The portrayal of gender roles in Victorian novels.
  • Dystopian futures: analyzing control and resistance.
  • The use of symbolism in modernist literature.
  • Moral ambiguity in contemporary fiction.
  • Love and betrayal in Shakespearean tragedies.
  • The evolution of the hero’s journey in fantasy literature.

Research Topics on Characters and Archetypes

  • The hero’s journey and its application to modern fictional heroes.
  • The archetype of the antihero in contemporary literature.
  • The role of the Byronic hero in romantic and modern fiction.
  • The representation of the femme fatale in noir fiction.
  • The evolution of the coming-of-age protagonist in young adult literature.
  • The role of the mentor figure in fantasy literature.
  • The depiction of villainy in classical and modern literature.
  • The portrayal of the outsider and its impact on narrative structure.
  • The use of duality in character development in Gothic fiction.
  • The representation of social outcasts in contemporary literature.

Genre-Based Literature Topics and Ideas

  • The detective genre has developed from Sherlock Holmes to modern crime fiction.
  • Magical realism in Latin American literature.
  • The influence of folklore on fantasy literature.
  • The role of humor in postmodern literature.
  • Tragicomedy in early modern drama.
  • The impact of science fiction on technological perceptions.
  • The rise of the graphic novel as a literary form.
  • Historical fiction and its accuracy in depicting historical events.
  • The significance of the bildungsroman in 19th-century literature.
  • Horror fiction and its reflection of societal fears.

Research Topics on Literary Movements

  • The characteristics of romanticism in European literature.
  • The influence of the Harlem Renaissance on American literature.
  • The legacy of the Beat Generation in contemporary writing.
  • Surrealism and its impact on modern art and literature.
  • Postcolonial literature and its critique of colonialism.
  • The role of feminism in the evolution of modern literature.
  • Realism vs. Naturalism in 19th-century fiction.
  • The influence of existentialism on 20th-century literature.
  • The role of avant-garde movements in shaping modern literature.
  • The revival of the classical tradition in neo-classical literature.

Topics on Literary Criticism and Theory

  • Psychoanalytic criticism and its application to Victorian literature.
  • Post-structuralism and its influence on literary interpretation.
  • Feminist literary criticism and its impact on canonical texts.
  • Marxist criticism and class struggle in 20th-century literature.
  • Queer theory and its exploration of sexual identity in literature.
  • Ecocriticism and its examination of environmental themes.
  • New historicism and its approach to historical context in literature.
  • Reader-response criticism and its influence on literary reception.
  • Deconstruction and its impact on textual meaning.
  • Comparative literature and its methodologies.

Literature and Philosophy Topics and Ideas

  • The exploration of existentialism in modern literature.
  • The role of stoic philosophy in classical literature.
  • The influence of Nietzschean thought on contemporary fiction.
  • The representation of utopian and dystopian philosophies in literature.
  • The impact of Eastern philosophies on Western literary traditions.
  • The role of phenomenology in literary analysis.
  • The exploration of Absurdism in postmodern literature.
  • The influence of postmodern philosophies on narrative structures.
  • The role of metaphysical poetry in philosophical inquiry.
  • The impact of ethical philosophy on literary moral dilemmas.

Literary Devices and Techniques

  • The use of unreliable narrators in contemporary fiction.
  • Metafiction and its effect on reader perception.
  • The role of stream of consciousness in modernist literature.
  • Intertextuality and its significance in literary analysis.
  • The use of irony in satirical literature.
  • Symbolism and its impact on narrative depth.
  • The function of allegory in medieval literature.
  • Imagery and sensory details in poetic expression.
  • The role of foreshadowing in building tension.
  • The use of nonlinear narratives in postmodern literature.

Topics Based on Author Studies

  • The role of political ideology in George Orwell’s works.
  • The influence of childhood experiences on Charles Dickens’ novels.
  • The exploration of identity in Toni Morrison’s fiction.
  • The stylistic innovations of James Joyce’s Ulysses .
  • The representation of women in Virginia Woolf’s literature.
  • The evolution of Hemingway’s writing style.
  • The intersection of myth and modernism in T.S. Eliot’s poetry.
  • The impact of cultural heritage on Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s works.
  • The use of stream of consciousness in William Faulkner’s novels.
  • The legacy of Jane Austen’s social commentary in contemporary literature.

Comparative Literature Topics and Ideas

  • Comparing themes of colonialism in British and postcolonial literature.
  • The influence of Eastern philosophy on Western literary traditions.
  • The role of folklore in African and Caribbean literature.
  • Gender representations in Anglo-American vs. French literature.
  • The portrayal of the hero archetype in various cultural literatures.
  • Exploring the motif of the tragic hero in Greek and Shakespearean drama.
  • Cross-cultural influences in modernist and postmodernist works.
  • Comparative analysis of dystopian narratives in different literary traditions.
  • The depiction of social class in European and American literature.
  • Analyzing romanticism and realism in European vs. American literature.

Research Topics on Literature and Society

  • Literature and its reflection of social change.
  • The role of literature in shaping public opinion.
  • The impact of political movements on literary expression.
  • The influence of economic conditions on literary production.
  • Literature and its role in addressing social justice issues.
  • The representation of mental health in contemporary fiction.
  • Literature as a tool for cultural preservation.
  • The relationship between literature and media adaptations.
  • The role of literature in defining national identity.
  • The influence of digital technology on modern literary forms.
  • The link between literature and political uprisings in Africa.

Literature and History Research Topics

  • The development of the novel from the 18th century to the present.
  • The evolution of poetry from classical to contemporary forms.
  • The impact of the Enlightenment on literary traditions.
  • The role of the romantic period in shaping modern literature.
  • The influence of the Victorian era on 20th-century literature.
  • The impact of world wars on literary themes and styles.
  • The transition from classical to modern drama.
  • The role of Literary Magazines in shaping 20th-century literature.
  • The evolution of science fiction from early imaginings to contemporary works.
  • The influence of the Renaissance on English literature.
  • The development of modernist poetry and its legacy.
  • The role of the novel in the 19th-century social and political landscape.
  • The impact of postmodernism on narrative structures.
  • The contributions of minor literary movements to the mainstream canon.
  • The historical context of key literary movements: romanticism, realism, and naturalism.

Interesting Literature Topics for Research

  • The exploration of moral dilemmas in classic literature.
  • The representation of ethical questions in contemporary fiction.
  • The role of literature in addressing ethical issues in society.
  • The impact of philosophical ethics on literary characters.
  • The exploration of justice and injustice in modern narratives.
  • The exploration of emotional depth in gothic literature.
  • The role of empathy in literary engagement.
  • The representation of emotional trauma in contemporary fiction.
  • The impact of literary emotion on reader response.
  • The role of sentimentality in 19th-century novels.
  • The representation of love and loss in modern poetry.
  • The exploration of psychological realism in character development.
  • The role of literature in expressing and understanding human emotion.
  • The influence of emotional tone on narrative structure.
  • The impact of literary depiction of emotions on social awareness.
  • The impact of digital publishing on literary production.
  • The role of e-books in changing reading habits.
  • The influence of social media on literary trends and promotion.
  • The exploration of virtual realities in science fiction literature.
  • The representation of technology in contemporary fiction.
  • The role of literary apps and platforms in expanding access to texts.
  • The influence of Cyberculture on modern literary forms.
  • The impact of digital archives on literary research.
  • The representation of artificial intelligence in contemporary narratives.
  • The role of technology in shaping future literary practices.
  • The role of literary memory in historical fiction.
  • The representation of collective memory in postwar literature.
  • The impact of personal memoirs on understanding historical events.
  • The exploration of trauma and memory in contemporary fiction.
  • The role of literary narratives in shaping cultural memory.
  • The influence of memory studies on literary criticism.
  • The representation of nostalgia in modern literature.
  • The role of historical memory in shaping national literature.
  • The impact of memory and forgetting in narrative structures.
  • The representation of memory in autobiographical fiction.

Literature and Education Topics

  • The role of literature in developing critical thinking skills.
  • The impact of literary studies on language acquisition.
  • The use of literature in teaching historical contexts.
  • The influence of literary theory on educational practices.
  • The role of literature in promoting cultural awareness in schools.
  • The impact of reading literature on empathy development.
  • The use of literature in addressing social issues in education.
  • The role of comparative literature in curriculum development.
  • The influence of literary pedagogy on student engagement.
  • The impact of digital literature on educational practices.

Literary Adaptations and Translations Topics

  • The challenges of translating literary works across cultures.
  • The influence of adaptations on literary canon formation.
  • The role of adaptations in popularizing classic literature.
  • The impact of translation theory on literary interpretation.
  • The adaptation of non-Western literary texts into Western media.
  • The role of subtitling and dubbing in translating literary works.
  • The influence of adaptations on authorial intent and reception.
  • The challenges of adapting poetry into visual media.
  • The role of adaptations in reviving interest in classic texts.
  • The impact of translation on global literary exchanges.

Literature and Identity Topics and Ideas

  • The representation of national identity in 19th-century literature.
  • The exploration of personal identity in contemporary memoirs.
  • The role of literary characters in shaping cultural identity.
  • The impact of globalization on literary depictions of identity.
  • The representation of gender identity in modern fiction.
  • The exploration of racial identity in postcolonial literature.
  • The role of literature in constructing collective memory.
  • The influence of diaspora experiences on literary identity.
  • The impact of literary works on forming national consciousness.
  • The representation of intersectional identities in contemporary literature.

Research topics on Literature and Science

  • The role of scientific discoveries in shaping science fiction literature.
  • The influence of Darwinian Theory on Victorian literature.
  • The representation of medical ethics in contemporary fiction.
  • The impact of technological advances on literary themes.
  • The exploration of artificial intelligence in modern literary works.
  • The role of science fiction in speculating future scientific developments.
  • The representation of space exploration in literature.
  • The influence of quantum mechanics on postmodern narrative structures.
  • The role of environmental science in ecocritical literature.
  • The intersection of biographical and scientific narratives in non-fiction.

Topics and Ideas on Literary Awards and Recognition

  • The role of literary prizes in shaping contemporary literature.
  • A comparative study of Pulitzer Prize winners and Nobel laureates in literature.
  • The influence of literary awards on publishing success.
  • The impact of book awards on genre popularity.
  • The role of literary critics in award selections.
  • Analyzing trends in booker prize-winning novels.
  • The influence of international literary awards on global reading habits.
  • The impact of literary prizes on emerging authors.
  • The role of reader awards in shaping popular fiction.
  • The evolution of literary awards and their impact on literary trends.
  • Analyze the criteria for winning the Nobel Prize in literature and its impact on global literary trends.
  • Investigate the role of the Booker Prize in shaping the careers of emerging authors.
  • Examine the influence of the Pulitzer Prize on American literature and cultural identity.
  • Discuss the controversy and debates surrounding the selection process of major literary awards.
  • Analyze the representation of diverse voices among recent literary award winners.
  • Investigate the impact of winning a literary award on book sales and author recognition.
  • Examine the role of literary awards in promoting genre fiction, such as science fiction and fantasy.
  • Discuss the significance of the national book awards in the American literary landscape.
  • Analyze the impact of international literary awards, such as the Man Booker International Prize, on non-English language literature.
  • Investigate the history and evolution of the Edgar Awards for mystery writing.
  • Examine the role of literary awards in highlighting regional literature and local authors.
  • Discuss the influence of children's book awards, like the Newbery Medal, on young adult and children's literature.
  • Analyze the role of literary critics and their influence on award selections.
  • Investigate the impact of social media and public opinion on literary award outcomes.
  • Examine the correlation between literary awards and the adaptation of books into films and television series.
  • Discuss the significance of the Hugo Awards in the science fiction and fantasy literary community.
  • Analyze the criteria and selection process of the Pen/Faulkner Award for fiction.
  • Investigate the role of literary awards in recognizing and promoting works by marginalized and underrepresented authors.
  • Examine the controversies and scandals that have affected the credibility of major literary awards.
  • Discuss the future of literary awards in the digital age and the potential for new types of recognition and prizes.

Literature and Media Topics

  • Analyze the impact of film adaptations on the popularity of classic literary works.
  • Investigate the role of social media platforms in promoting contemporary literature.
  • Examine the influence of book-to-movie adaptations on reader perceptions of original texts.
  • Discuss the rise of audiobooks and their impact on traditional reading habits.
  • Analyze the portrayal of literary characters in graphic novels and comic adaptations.
  • Investigate the role of fan fiction in expanding and reinterpreting popular literary universes.
  • Examine the influence of digital storytelling platforms on narrative structures in literature.
  • Discuss the impact of streaming services on the accessibility and popularity of literary adaptations.
  • Analyze the representation of literary themes in video games and interactive media.
  • Investigate the role of book influencers and bloggers in shaping literary trends.
  • Examine the portrayal of authors and literary culture in films and television series.
  • Discuss the influence of online literary communities, such as Goodreads, on reading practices.
  • Analyze the adaptation of poetry and lyrical works into musical and theatrical performances.
  • Investigate the impact of literary podcasts on contemporary literary criticism and discourse.
  • Examine the role of multimedia elements in enhancing digital literature and e-books.
  • Discuss the portrayal of historical events in both literature and their subsequent media adaptations.
  • Analyze the influence of literature on the narrative techniques used in modern television series.
  • Investigate the role of crowdfunding platforms in supporting and promoting independent literary projects.
  • Examine the representation of literary awards and recognition ceremonies in media coverage.
  • Discuss the impact of transmedia storytelling on the development and expansion of literary franchises.

British Literature Topics and Ideas

  • Analyze the themes of love and betrayal in William Shakespeare’s tragedies.
  • Investigate the representation of social class in Charles Dickens’s novels.
  • Examine the role of the supernatural in Gothic literature, with a focus on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.
  • Discuss the impact of World War I on the poetry of Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon.
  • Analyze the portrayal of gender and identity in Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway.
  • Investigate the influence of the British Empire on Rudyard Kipling’s works.
  • Examine the themes of ambition and power in Shakespeare’s Macbeth.
  • Discuss the representation of nature in the Romantic poetry of William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
  • Analyze the social and political commentary in George Orwell’s Animal Farm and 1984.
  • Investigate the role of industrialization in Elizabeth Gaskell’s North and South.
  • Examine the exploration of existential themes in Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot.
  • Discuss the influence of Arthurian legends on British literature, focusing on T.H. White’s The Once and Future King.
  • Analyze the portrayal of colonialism in Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness.
  • Investigate the themes of alienation and identity in Kazuo Ishiguro’s The Remains of the Day.
  • Examine the role of satire in Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels.
  • Discuss the impact of the Irish Literary Revival on W.B. Yeats’ poetry.
  • Analyze the representation of Victorian morality and hypocrisy in Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray.
  • Investigate the theme of social criticism in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.
  • Examine the use of stream of consciousness in James Joyce’s Ulysses.
  • Discuss the role of medievalism in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings.
  • Analyze the exploration of dystopian futures in Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World.
  • Investigate the themes of love and tragedy in the Brontë sisters’ novels.
  • Examine the portrayal of heroism and chivalry in Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales.
  • Discuss the impact of the Modernist movement on T.S. Eliot’s poetry.
  • Analyze the themes of war and memory in Pat Barker’s Regeneration trilogy.
  • Investigate the role of folklore and myth in Seamus Heaney’s poetry.
  • Examine the exploration of racial identity in Zadie Smith’s White Teeth.
  • Discuss the influence of Classical literature on John Milton’s Paradise Lost.
  • Analyze the depiction of social change in E.M. Forster’s Howards End.
  • Investigate the role of historical context in shaping the works of Henry James and his portrayal of British society.
  • Analyze the key themes and stylistic features of the Romantic Movement in British literature.
  • Investigate the influence of the Gothic tradition on British Romanticism.
  • Examine the social and political commentary in Victorian literature and its reflection of the Industrial Revolution.
  • Discuss the impact of Modernism on British poetry, with a focus on T.S. Eliot and W.B. Yeats.
  • Analyze the principles of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and their contribution to Victorian literature and art.
  • Investigate the themes of existentialism and absurdity in British literature during the post-war period, focusing on Samuel Beckett.
  • Examine the characteristics of the Bloomsbury Group and their influence on early 20th-century British literature.
  • Discuss the rise of Postcolonial literature in Britain and its critique of the British Empire.
  • Analyze the themes and narrative techniques of the Angry Young Men movement in post-World War II British literature.
  • Investigate the role of the Neo-Romantic movement in British literature during the interwar period.

Science Fiction Literature Topics and Ideas

  • Analyze the representation of artificial intelligence and its ethical implications in Isaac Asimov's works.
  • Investigate the role of dystopian societies in Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale and their reflection on contemporary issues.
  • Examine the concept of time travel and its narrative complexities in H.G. Wells' The Time Machine.
  • Discuss the exploration of human identity and consciousness in Philip K. Dick's Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
  • Analyze the depiction of space exploration and its impact on human understanding in Arthur C. Clarke's 2001: A Space Odyssey.
  • Investigate the themes of genetic engineering and bioethics in Aldous Huxley's Brave New World.
  • Examine the representation of alien encounters and their cultural implications in Octavia Butler's Xenogenesis trilogy.
  • Discuss the influence of cyberpunk aesthetics and themes in William Gibson's Neuromancer.
  • Analyze the portrayal of post-apocalyptic societies and survival in Cormac McCarthy's The Road.
  • Investigate the role of environmental catastrophe in Kim Stanley Robinson's Mars trilogy.
  • Examine the exploration of gender and sexuality in Ursula K. Le Guin's The Left Hand of Darkness.
  • Discuss the intersection of science fiction and fantasy in China Miéville's works.
  • Analyze the use of alternate history in Philip K. Dick's The Man in the High Castle.
  • Investigate the themes of political and social control in George Orwell's 1984.
  • Examine the depiction of virtual realities and their impact on human perception in Neal Stephenson's Snow Crash.
  • Discuss the representation of technological singularity in Vernor Vinge's A Fire upon the Deep.
  • Analyze the exploration of artificial life and its ethical dilemmas in Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go.
  • Investigate the role of speculative fiction in addressing climate change in Paolo Bacigalupi's The Windup Girl.
  • Examine the themes of colonization and imperialism in science fiction literature.
  • Discuss the influence of classic science fiction on contemporary works and its evolution over time.

High School Literary Research Essay Topics

  • Analyze the themes of friendship and loyalty in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series.
  • Investigate the role of symbolism in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby.
  • Examine the representation of good versus evil in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings.
  • Discuss the impact of societal expectations on individual identity in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.
  • Analyze the exploration of racism and social injustice in Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird.
  • Investigate the themes of power and ambition in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth.
  • Examine the portrayal of adolescence and coming of age in J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye.
  • Discuss the role of family dynamics and secrets in Arthur Miller’s The Crucible.
  • Analyze the use of magical realism in Gabriel García Márquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude.
  • Investigate the depiction of mental illness in Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar.
  • Examine the themes of isolation and alienation in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.
  • Discuss the representation of dystopian societies in George Orwell’s 1984 and Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World.
  • Analyze the exploration of identity and self-discovery in Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man.
  • Investigate the role of nature and the environment in the poetry of Robert Frost.
  • Examine the portrayal of historical events in Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
  • Discuss the themes of love and fate in William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
  • Analyze the representation of gender roles and expectations in Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre.
  • Investigate the impact of colonialism in Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart.
  • Examine the role of social class and ambition in Charles Dickens’s Great Expectations.
  • Discuss the exploration of existential themes in Albert Camus’ The Stranger.

Final Words

Literature research topics cover a vast range of themes. You can explore aspects such as gender, education, arts, literary works, literary movements, literary authors, gender, race, class, politics, economics, technology, and more.

If you want to hire someone to write your literature paper , do not hesitate to fill out the order form and place your order.

gradecrest-logo

Gradecrest is a professional writing service that provides original model papers. We offer personalized services along with research materials for assistance purposes only. All the materials from our website should be used with proper references. See our Terms of Use Page for proper details.

paypal logo

Research Paper Writing Guides

Literature Research Paper Topics

Last updated on: Oct 30, 2024

200+ Engaging and Novel Literature Research Paper Topics

By: Donna C.

12 min read

Reviewed By: Chris H.

Published on: Mar 27, 2024

literature research paper topics

Ever found yourself trapped in the never-ending cycle of bland literature topics? 

Picture this: drowning in a sea of boring ideas, feeling the weight of monotony with every potential topic. The struggle is real, and the prospect of writing yet another dull paper can be a major buzzkill for any student.

But fear not! 

Get ready because we've got the perfect guide for the best research topic about literature. 

We will provide you with a list of literature research paper ideas that are not only engaging but also match your interests!

So, let’s get into it!

literature research paper topics

On this Page

Good Literature Research Paper Topics for Students

Getting started on a research paper is exciting, but picking the right topic can be a bit tricky. We want to make this journey easy for you. 

So, let's explore some cool and interesting literature research project topics that not only make your paper look good but also make the whole process a lot more fun. 

blonde-woman-is-holding-book-book 1

Short on Time? Let Us Write Your Literature Paper!

Literature Research Topics for High School 

  • The Role of Friendship in Classic Novels
  • Symbolism in Short Stories: A Comparative Analysis
  • Portrayal of Social Issues in Young Adult Literature
  • Exploring Themes of Love and Loss in Shakespearean Sonnets
  • Narrative Techniques in Modern Short Stories
  • The Impact of Nature in Romantic Poetry
  • Comparing Heroic Journeys in Epic Poems
  • The Influence of Fairy Tales on Modern Literature
  • Depiction of Family Dynamics in Classic Plays
  • Satirical Elements in Comedy Plays: A Study

Literature Research Topics for College Students

  • Metafiction in Postmodern Novels: A Comparative Analysis
  • Gender Roles and Identity in Contemporary Literature
  • The Intersection of Science and Literature in Speculative Fiction
  • Magical Realism Across Cultures: A Global Perspective
  • Existential Themes in Modern Drama: An In-depth Exploration
  • Postcolonial Perspectives in Caribbean Literature
  • The Influence of Mythology on Modern Fantasy Novels
  • Narratives of Displacement and Exile in Immigrant Literature
  • Literary Representations of Mental Health: A Critical Study
  • Eco-criticism in Environmental Literature: Current Trends

Literature Research Topics for University

  • Postmodern Narratives and Metafiction: A Critical Examination
  • The Impact of Postcolonial Literature on Global Literary Discourse
  • Modernist Poetry and Its Influence on Contemporary Verse
  • Ecocriticism in 21st-Century Environmental Literature
  • Exploring the Intersection of Science and Literature in Speculative Fiction
  • Gender Identity and Representation in Contemporary Novels
  • Literary Responses to Trauma: A Comparative Study
  • The Role of Magical Realism in Latin American Literature
  • Colonialism and Its Effects on Indigenous Voices in Literature
  • Satire and Social Critique in Contemporary Novels

Literature Research Topics for Master’s and Ph.D.

  • Poststructuralist Analysis of Contemporary Poetry
  • Eco-critical Perspectives in 21st Century Environmental Literature
  • The Intersection of Literature and Cognitive Science: A Neuro-literary Approach
  • Queer Theory and LGBTQ+ Representation in Modern Novels
  • Globalization and Its Impact on Narrative Techniques in Postcolonial Literature
  • Posthumanism in Science Fiction: Redefining Humanity in Literature
  • Comparative Study of Magical Realism in Latin American and African Literature
  • Deconstructionist Reading of Classical Literary Texts
  • The Ethics of Postmodern Narratives: A Critical Examination
  • Modernist Aesthetics in Graphic Novels: A Visual Literary Analysis

Research Topics For English Literature Students

  • The Portrayal of Mental Health in Contemporary English Literature
  • Exploring the Themes of Identity and Belonging in Postcolonial English Novels
  • An Analysis of Symbolism in the Works of William Blake
  • The Representation of Gender Roles in 19th Century English Literature
  • Examining the Role of Folklore in Modern English Fiction
  • Postmodern Elements in Contemporary English Poetry
  • The Intersection of Science and Literature in English Romanticism
  • A Comparative Study of Tragedy in Shakespearean and Modern English Drama
  • Environmental Concerns in 21st Century English Literature
  • The Evolution of the Antihero in English Literature

Research Topics In English Literature For MA

  • The Representation of Mental Illness in Contemporary English Literature
  • Postcolonial Identity in the Novels of Salman Rushdie
  • Gender and Power Dynamics in Victorian Society
  • The Role of Folklore in the Works of Angela Carter
  • Deconstructing Cultural Hybridity in Postcolonial English Novels
  • The Evolution of the Gothic Novel in 19th Century England
  • Comparative Analysis of Shakespearean Tragedies and Modern Drama
  • Modernist Poetry: T.S. Eliot’s the Wasteland
  • Ecocriticism and Environmental Themes in 21st Century English Literature
  • Intersectionality and Feminist Themes in Postmodern English Fiction

Children's Literature Research Paper Topics

  • The Influence of Fairy Tales on Child Development
  • Diversity and Representation in Contemporary Children's Literature
  • Impact of Interactive Picture Books on Early Literacy
  • The Role of Animals in Children's Stories
  • Exploring Moral Values in Classic Children's Literature
  • Gender Stereotypes in Children's Books
  • The Evolution of Illustrations in Children's Literature
  • Cultural Themes in Global Children's Stories
  • Fantasy vs. Reality in Children's Literature
  • The Importance of Humor in Children's Books

Simple Literature Research Paper Topics

  • Exploring Friendship in Classic Novels
  • An Analysis of Symbolism in a Selected Short Story
  • Depiction of Social Issues in Contemporary Young Adult Literature
  • The Role of Setting in Gothic Literature
  • Examining Satirical Elements in a Comedy Play
  • Narrative Techniques in a Modern Short Story
  • Themes of Love and Loss in Shakespearean Sonnets
  • Analyzing the Coming-of-Age Theme in a Novel

World Literature Research Paper Topics

  • Mythology and Its Influence on World Literature
  • Cross-Cultural Perspectives in Global Poetry
  • Magical Realism: A Comparative Study Across Cultures
  • The Role of Oral Tradition in African and Indigenous Literature
  • Classical Epics: A Comparative Analysis of Homer and Other Cultures
  • Transcultural Narratives in the Novels of Isabel Allende
  • Folklore and Traditional Storytelling in Asian Literature
  • Postcolonial Themes in Latin American and African Novels
  • Comparative Analysis of Shakespearean Plays in Different Cultural Contexts
  • Existential Themes in World Literature: From Camus to Murakami

American Literature Research Paper Topics

  • The Harlem Renaissance: Artistic Expression in African American Literature
  • Nature and Wilderness in Early American Literature
  • The Portrayal of Women in American Literature Throughout Historical Context
  • Modernism and Its Influence on American Literature
  • Postcolonial Perspectives in Contemporary American Literature
  • Social Critique in the Works of Mark Twain
  • Literature of the Civil Rights Movement
  • Environmental Themes in Contemporary American Fiction
  • The Role of Immigration in Shaping American Literature
  • Native American Literature: Voices and Narratives

Early American Literature Research Paper Topics

  • Puritan Literature: Exploring Religious Themes and Values
  • Native American Oral Traditions: A Comparative Study
  • The Role of Women in Colonial American Literature
  • The Influence of European Enlightenment on Early American Writing
  • The Rhetoric of Revolution: Political Pamphlets in the Colonial Period
  • Benjamin Franklin and the Art of Autobiography
  • Exploration of Nature and Wilderness in Early American Literature
  • Religious Tensions in the Salem Witch Trials: Literary Perspectives
  • Narratives of Captivity and Slavery in Early American Writing
  • The Concept of the American Dream in 18th-Century Literature

British Literature Research Paper Topics

  • The Role of Nature in British Romantic Poetry
  • Social Class and Its Portrayal in Victorian Literature
  • The Influence of Mythology in British Literature
  • Shakespearean Tragedy: Themes and Impact
  • Modernism in British Literature: A Break from Tradition
  • Gothic Elements in British Literature
  • Feminist Perspectives in British Novels
  • Literature of the Elizabethan Era: Politics and Culture
  • British War Literature: Reflections on Conflict
  • Postcolonial Themes in Contemporary British Fiction

African American Literature Research Paper Topics

  • The Harlem Renaissance: Literary Technique of African American Culture
  • Representation of Slavery and Freedom in African American Literature
  • Identity and Self-discovery in the Works of Toni Morrison
  • Jazz and Blues as Cultural Motifs in African American Poetry
  • The Evolution of the Black Female Protagonist in Novels by Alice Walker
  • Langston Hughes and the Influence of the Blues on Poetry
  • Afrofuturism in Contemporary African American Science Fiction
  • The Impact of the Civil Rights Movement on African American Literature
  • The Role of Oral Tradition in African American Folklore
  • Intersectionality in the Novels of James Baldwin

European Literary Research Paper Topics

  • The Concept of Romantic Love in European Poetry
  • Existential Themes in European Post-War Novels
  • Social Realism in 19th-Century European Fiction
  • Surrealism and Magical Realism in European Literature
  • Comparative Analysis of Gothic Elements in European Novels
  • Nationalism and Identity in European Literature of the 19th Century
  • Feminist Perspectives in European Modernist Novels
  • The Impact of World War I on European Literary Expression
  • Exploring Symbolism in European Theatre of the 20th Century
  • European Literary Responses to Colonialism and Postcolonialism

English Literature Research Paper Topics

  • The Role of Women in Early English Literature
  • Allegorical Elements in Medieval English Literature
  • Shakespearean Tragedies: Themes and Characters
  • The Influence of Renaissance Humanism on English Literature
  • Romantic Poetry: Nature and Emotion
  • Social Critique in Victorian English Literature
  • The Gothic Novel: Themes and Settings
  • Modernist Literature in English: Breaking Traditions
  • Postcolonial Perspectives in English Literature
  • Contemporary British Literature: Trends and Themes

Ancient Literature Research Paper Topics 

  • The Epic Hero in Ancient Greek and Roman Literature
  • The Role of Fate and Free Will in Ancient Tragedies
  • Comparing the Themes of Love and War in Ancient Epics
  • The Representation of Women in Ancient Literature
  • Philosophical Elements in Ancient Greek and Roman Dialogues
  • The Concept of Justice in Ancient Philosophical Texts
  • Religious and Mythological Motifs in Ancient Mesopotamian Literature
  • Ancient Egyptian Poetry: Themes and Structures
  • The Use of Symbolism in Ancient Chinese Poetry
  • Exploration of Ancient Indian Epics: Mahabharata and Ramayana

Modernist Literature Research Paper Topics

  • The Impact of World War I on Modernist Literature
  • Stream of Consciousness Technique: A Stylistic Analysis in Modernist Novels
  • The Role of Urbanization in Modernist Poetry
  • Surrealism and Magical Realism in Modernist Literature
  • Modernist Women Writers: Breaking Literary Norms
  • Fragmentation and Dislocation in Modernist Texts
  • The Influence of Freudian Psychoanalysis on Modernist Literature
  • Harlem Renaissance: Modernist Expression in African American Literature
  • The Relationship between Modernist Literature and Visual Arts
  • Modernist Plays: Reinterpretation of Dramatic Form

Renaissance Literature Research Paper Topics

  • Humanism in Renaissance Literature: A Comparative Analysis
  • The Influence of Classical Literature on Renaissance Writers
  • Courtly Love and Petrarchan Sonnets in Renaissance Poetry
  • Machiavelli's 'The Prince': Political Philosophy in Literature
  • The Role of Women in Renaissance Drama and Poetry
  • Chivalry and Knightly Virtues in Renaissance Romances
  • Shakespeare's Tragedies: Exploring Themes and Characters
  • The Impact of Printing Press on the Spread of Renaissance Literature
  • Religious Themes in Renaissance Literature: A Comparative Study
  • The Italian Sonnet Tradition and Its Adoption in English Literature

OBJECTS

Polish Your Literary Analysis with Our Writing Experts!

War Literature Research Paper Topics

  • Trauma and Recovery in Post War Memoirs
  • Depictions of PTSD in Contemporary War Fiction
  • War and Identity: Exploring Personal Transformation in Literature
  • The Role of Women in War Literature
  • Representations of War in Graphic Novels and Comics
  • Comparative Analysis of World War I and World War II Literature
  • War Poetry: A Cross-Cultural Exploration
  • The Impact of Technology on the Portrayal of War in Literature
  • Narratives of Exile and Displacement in War Literature
  • The Ethics of War in Modern Fiction

Literature Research Topics Across Time and Genre

  • Spiritual and Physical Union in John Donne's Poetry
  • Cultural Critique in Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness' and 'Lord Jim'
  • Allegory and Symbolism in Spenser's 'Faerie Queene'
  • Totalitarianism and Surveillance in Orwell's '1984'
  • Female Independence in Bronte's 'Jane Eyre'
  • Themes of Romance and Chivalry in Medieval Courtly Love
  • Love and Revenge in Bronte's 'Wuthering Heights'
  • Stream of Consciousness in Woolf's 'To the Lighthouse'
  • Existential Despair in Beckett's 'Waiting for Godot'
  • Colonialism and Moral Ambiguity in Joseph Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness'
  • Political Satire in Swift's 'Gulliver's Travels'

Controversial Literary Research Paper Topics

  • The Representation of Gender and Sexuality in Classic Literature
  • Censorship and Banning of Books: Examining Controversial Cases
  • Cultural Appropriation in Literature: Critique and Impact
  • Ethical Dilemmas in Narratives of War and Conflict
  • The Use of Trigger Warnings in Literary Education
  • The Controversy Surrounding Authorship: Ghostwriting and Collaboration
  • Exploring Taboo Themes in Young Adult Literature
  • Literature and Social Justice: The Responsibility of Authors
  • The Influence of Political Correctness on Literary Expression
  • Controversies in Literary Criticism: Interpretation and Bias

Looking for a standout research topic? Our collection of research topics in Ethics , Art , Psychology , Biology , Business , and History has something for every interest!

How to Choose a Literature Research Paper Topic?

Choosing a topic for your literature research paper is an important step. Here's a simple guide to help you pick an outstanding research paper topic :

  • Pick What You Like: Start by thinking about what you enjoy reading.  Do you like stories from a certain time or about specific things? Your interest will make your research more enjoyable.
  • Look at What's Popular Now: See what people are talking about in literature today.  It could be new ideas or themes. Choosing something current can make your research more relevant.
  • Focus on Details: If you have a big topic in mind, try to narrow it down.  For example, pick a specific author, place, or theme. This makes your research more specific and interesting.
  • Keep Flexibility in Mind: Be open to adjusting your topic as your research progresses.  Sometimes, new discoveries or shifts in your perspective may lead to a more refined and compelling focus. 

In conclusion, choosing a literature research paper topic involves a combination of personal passion, academic relevance, and practical considerations. 

In this blog, we have provided you with a wide range of literature research topics. Make sure to choose one that matches your interests! 

If you feel overwhelmed by research paper writing or even choosing the topic, hire professional help from SharkPapers.com

Our top quality essay writing services will help with every step of writing and editing a paper, till you are satisfied! 

So, without wasting any time, request ' write my research paper ' and get expert help from the best writers online!

Donna C.

Marketing, Literature

Donna writes on a broad range of topics, but she is mostly passionate about social issues, current events, and human-interest stories. She has received high praise for her writing from both colleagues and readers alike. Donna is known in her field for creating content that is not only professional but also captivating.

Was This Blog Helpful?

Keep reading.

  • Learning How to Write a Research Paper: Step-by-Step Guide

literature research paper topics

  • Best 300+ Ideas For Research Paper Topics in 2024

literature research paper topics

  • A Complete Guide to Help You Write a Research Proposal

literature research paper topics

  • The Definitive Guide on How to Start a Research Paper

literature research paper topics

  • How To Write An Introduction For A Research Paper - A Complete Guide

literature research paper topics

  • Learn How To Write An Abstract For A Research Paper with Examples and Tips

literature research paper topics

  • How to Write a Literature Review for a Research Paper | A Complete Guide

literature research paper topics

  • How To Write The Methods Section of A Research Paper

literature research paper topics

  • How to Write a Research Paper Thesis: A Detailed Guide

literature research paper topics

  • How to Write a Research Paper Title That Stands Out

literature research paper topics

  • A Detailed Guide on How To Write a Conclusion for a Research Paper

literature research paper topics

  • How To Write The Results Section of A Research Paper | Steps & Tips

literature research paper topics

  • How to Write a Problem Statement for a Research Paper: An Easy Guide

literature research paper topics

  • How to Find Credible Sources for a Research Paper

literature research paper topics

  • A Detailed Guide: How to Write a Discussion for a Research Paper

literature research paper topics

  • How To Write A Hypothesis In A Research Paper - A Simple Guide

literature research paper topics

  • Learn How To Cite A Research Paper in Different Formats: The Basics

literature research paper topics

  • The Ultimate List of Ethical Research Paper Topics in 2024

literature research paper topics

  • 150+ Controversial Research Paper Topics to Get You Started

literature research paper topics

  • How to Edit Research Papers With Precision: A Detailed Guide

literature research paper topics

  • A Comprehensive List of Argumentative Research Paper Topics

literature research paper topics

  • A Detailed List of Amazing Art Research Paper Topics

literature research paper topics

  • Diverse Biology Research Paper Topics for Students: A Comprehensive List

literature research paper topics

  • 230 Interesting and Unique History Research Paper Topics

literature research paper topics

  • 190 Best Business Research Paper Topics

literature research paper topics

  • A Guide on How to Write a Social Science Research Paper

literature research paper topics

  • Sociology Research Papers: Format, Outline, and Topics

literature research paper topics

  • Understanding the Basics of Biology Research Papers

literature research paper topics

  • How to Write a Psychology Research Paper: Guide with Easy Steps

literature research paper topics

  • Exploring the Different Types of Research Papers: A Guide

literature research paper topics

  • Scientific Research Paper: Types, Formats, Structure & Writing Process

literature research paper topics

  • Argumentative Research Paper | A Step-by-Step Guide

literature research paper topics

  • Analytical Research Papers: A Detailed Walkthrough

literature research paper topics

  • Experimental Research Paper Explained Comprehensively

literature research paper topics

  • An In-Depth Look at Psychology Research Paper Examples

literature research paper topics

  • 15+ Research Paper Examples for Different Types and Formats

literature research paper topics

  • Free Argumentative Research Paper Examples

literature research paper topics

  • Refine Your Literary Skills with Literature Research Paper Examples

literature research paper topics

  • Get Inspired by 10+ Biology Research Paper Examples

literature research paper topics

  • A Comprehensive Guide to History Research Paper Examples

literature research paper topics

  • An Extensive List of Business Research Paper Examples

literature research paper topics

  • 10+ Best APA Research Paper Examples for Effective Writing

literature research paper topics

  • 10+ Expertly Crafted MLA Research Paper Examples

literature research paper topics

  • Explore 8+ Chicago Research Paper Examples for Academic Excellence

literature research paper topics

  • 15+ Examples of Abstracts for Research Papers

literature research paper topics

  • Exploring IEEE Research Paper Examples: A Practical Guide

literature research paper topics

  • Exploring Research Paper Thesis Examples: A Beginner's Guide

literature research paper topics

  • 10 Free Research Paper Proposal Examples

literature research paper topics

  • A Look at 10 Interesting Art Research Paper Examples

literature research paper topics

  • Survey Research Papers: Types, Format, Writing & Examples

literature research paper topics

  • A Closer Look Into Research Paper Format: APA, MLA, Chicago & IEEE

literature research paper topics

  • APA Research Paper Format 7th Edition: Guide with Examples

literature research paper topics

  • MLA Research Paper Format Made Easy: Step-by-Step Guide

literature research paper topics

  • Formatting Research Paper Title Page in APA, MLA & Chicago

literature research paper topics

  • Crafting the Perfect Research Paper Outline | Steps & Examples

literature research paper topics

  • A Detailed Guide to Chicago Research Paper Format

literature research paper topics

  • An Easy Guide to IEEE Research Paper Format

literature research paper topics

  • 12+ Practical Research Paper Outline Examples for Structuring Your Thoughts

literature research paper topics

  • Engaging Psychology Research Paper Topics for Your Next Project

literature research paper topics

Struggling With Your Paper?

Get a Custom Paper Written at

with a FREE Turnitin report, AI report, title page, unlimited revisions, and a lot more!

LIMITED TIME ONLY

People Also Read

OFFER EXPIRES SOON!

© 2024 - All rights reserved

Disclaimer: All client orders are fulfilled by our team of experienced, professional writers. The essays and papers we provide are intended to serve as educational tools and reference models only, and should not be submitted as original work.

2000+ SATISFIED STUDENTS

95% Satisfaction RATE

30 Days Money Back GUARANTEE

95% Success RATE

linkdin

Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Contact Us

© 2021 SharkPapers.com(Powered By sharkpapers.com). All rights reserved.

© 2022 Sharkpapers.com. All rights reserved.

LOGIN TO YOUR ACCOUNT

SIGN UP TO YOUR ACCOUNT

  • Your phone no.
  • Confirm Password
  •    I have read Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms and Conditions .

FORGOT PASSWORD

  • SEND PASSWORD

Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

Literature Topics and Research

OWL logo

Welcome to the Purdue OWL

This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

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.

  • How it works

"Christmas Offer"

Terms & conditions.

As the Christmas season is upon us, we find ourselves reflecting on the past year and those who we have helped to shape their future. It’s been quite a year for us all! The end of the year brings no greater joy than the opportunity to express to you Christmas greetings and good wishes.

At this special time of year, Research Prospect brings joyful discount of 10% on all its services. May your Christmas and New Year be filled with joy.

We are looking back with appreciation for your loyalty and looking forward to moving into the New Year together.

"Claim this offer"

In unfamiliar and hard times, we have stuck by you. This Christmas, Research Prospect brings you all the joy with exciting discount of 10% on all its services.

Offer valid till 5-1-2024

We love being your partner in success. We know you have been working hard lately, take a break this holiday season to spend time with your loved ones while we make sure you succeed in your academics

Discount code: RP0996Y

researchprospect post subheader

Useful Links

How much will your dissertation cost?

Have an expert academic write your dissertation paper!

Dissertation Services

Dissertation Services

Get unlimited topic ideas and a dissertation plan for just £45.00

Order topics and plan

Order topics and plan

Get 1 free topic in your area of study with aim and justification

Yes I want the free topic

Yes I want the free topic

Literature Dissertation Topics

Published by Carmen Troy at January 9th, 2023 , Revised On June 7, 2024

  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 in 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 here .

List Of Free Dissertation Topics On Literature

  • How Has The Rise of Afropolitan Literature Reshaped Identity Discourse
  • Digital Storytelling and the Evolution of Narrative Form in the 21st Century
  • The Influence of Social Media on the Construction of Authorship and the Literary Sphere
  • An Analysis of The Growing Use of AI in Literature
  • The Representation of Mental Health in Contemporary Literature and How This Is Breaking Stigma and Fostering Empathy
  • Examining the Cultural Significance of Culinary Experiences
  • The Evolution of Male Characters in Literature
  • Challenges and Ethical Considerations in Bringing Literature Across Borders
  • A Comprehensive Analysis of the Role of Satire and Irony in Literature
  • The Convergence of Fantasy and Dystopian Literature

Literature Dissertation Topics To Help You Get Started

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 proposes an analysis to show the impact of the second language barrier on the social integration of Chinese immigrants in the UK. It will analyse 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 overcome this barrier to make them feel included 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 analyse 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 analyse 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 analyse 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 on the coronavirus pandemic.

Research Aim: This study will review the scientific literature on the 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?

Trending Literature Dissertation Topics

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

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?

ResearchProspect writers can send several custom topic ideas to your email address. Once you have chosen a topic that suits your needs and interests, you can order for our dissertation outline service , which will include a brief introduction to the topic, research questions , literature review , methodology , expected results , and conclusion . The dissertation outline will enable you to review the quality of our work before placing the order for our full dissertation writing service !

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.

“Complete this short online form and provide as much information as possible to receive instant quotes from our writers specialising in your area of research.”

Order a Proposal

Worried about your dissertation proposal? Not sure where to start?

  • Choose any deadline
  • Plagiarism free
  • Unlimited free amendments
  • Free anti-plagiarism report
  • Completed to match exact requirements

Order a Proposal

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 to 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’ views.

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 a 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 finalising 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 regard to the 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.

About ResearchProspect Ltd

ResearchProspect is a  UK based academic writing service  that provides help with  Dissertation Proposal Writing ,  PhD. Proposal Writing ,  Dissertation Writing ,  Dissertation Editing, and Improvement .

Our team of writers  is highly qualified. They are experts in their respective fields. They have been working for us for a long time. Thus, they are well aware of the issues and the trends of the subject they specialise in.

Free Dissertation Topic

Phone Number

Academic Level Select Academic Level Undergraduate Graduate PHD

Academic Subject

Area of Research

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some good literature dissertation topics.

  • Representation of war in classic literature
  • Gender roles in Shakespearean comedies
  • Role of women during wars in classic literature
  • Use of symbolism in romantic poetry

You May Also Like

Need interesting and manageable Instagram dissertation topics? Here are the trending Instagram dissertation titles so you can choose the most suitable one.

It is common knowledge that students can only graduate with honours if their dissertations are well written. You can develop a successful career by writing a dissertation on the subject matter that interests you most.

Find unique and interesting remote-working dissertation topics for your thesis, mentioning positive and negative aspects of remote work.

As Featured On

client logo

USEFUL LINKS

LEARNING RESOURCES

researchprospect-reviews-trust-site

COMPANY DETAILS

Research-Prospect-Writing-Service

Splash Sol LLC

payment mehtod

  • How It Works

275 Good Literature Research Paper Topics & Ideas

Author Avatar

  • Icon Calendar 25 September 2024
  • Icon Page 3536 words
  • Icon Clock 16 min read

Literature research paper topics span a vast range of themes, diving deep Into diverse cultural expressions of humanity encapsulated in texts. They may include examining the role of gender, race, or class in seminal works, deconstructing narrative strategies used by specific literature authors, or probing historical and social contexts that influenced particular literary movements. Comparative literature studies offer fascinating insights by contrasting different authors, periods, or cultures. Literary theories, like postmodernism, feminism, or post-colonialism, provide additional lenses to interpret texts critically. On a more granular level, an analysis of symbols, motifs, or character development in a single literature work can yield rich discussions. The impact of digital media on literature is another progressive angle. With the vast scope and depth, literature research paper topics invite the exploration of multi-faceted dimensions.

What Is a Literature Research Paper Topic and Its Purpose

According to its definition, a literature research paper topic is a specific theme, question, or issue within a body of literary works that serves as a focal point for scholarly inquiry and analysis. For example, the main purpose for selecting a literature research paper topic is to explore and interpret various aspects of literary pieces, such as thematic elements, character development, stylistic techniques, or historical context (Klarer, 2024). In principle, these subjects must contribute to a deeper and more focused understanding of different literary texts and their significance within cultural, social, or political frameworks. By examining a well-defined literature research paper topic, students can critically engage with an existing body of knowledge, identify some gaps in literature, and propose new perspectives or interpretations (Bump, 2022). As such, this process not only enhances an academic discourse surrounding literature but also encourages an entire development of analytical skills and allows scholars to articulate their findings coherently and persuasively. Moreover, a well-chosen literature research paper topic not only enhances critical thinking and analytical skills but also encourages a meaningful dialogue within an academic community, promoting a richer appreciation of literature as an art form and its role in shaping human experience (P. Manyak & A. Manyak, 2021). In turn, students can connect an entire literature analysis with interdisciplinary approaches, drawing on key theories from various fields, such as psychology, sociology, or philosophy.

Good Literature Research Paper Topics & Ideas

How to Choose

Choosing a good literature research paper topic necessitates a systematic approach to ensure a selected theme is both engaging and academically viable. Initially, students should explore personal interests within various literary genres, periods, or authors, as a passion for a subject often results in a more compelling analysis (Klarer, 2024). In this case, reviewing an existing body of knowledge can aid in identifying some gaps or underexplored areas within literature, providing a valid foundation for original research. Then, students should consider a particular scope of a chosen topic because a narrow focus facilitates in-depth exploration, while a broader theme may require a more general overview (Marchetti & O’Dell, 2018). Basically, analyzing contemporary societal issues can offer fresh perspectives on classic texts, effectively bridging a gap between literature and current events. Moreover, engaging in discussions with peers or mentors can further refine ideas and provide valuable feedback (Thexton et al., 2019). Once a preliminary topic is established, it is advisable to formulate specific research questions to guide an entire inquiry, ensuring a chosen subject remains focused and manageable. Finally, an entire selection of a literature research paper topic should balance personal interest, academic relevance, and a potential for contributing to ongoing scholarly conversations, thereby fostering a rich and meaningful research experience (Cordell & Pennington, 2020). In turn, some steps for picking a good literature research paper topic include:

  • Identify Personal Interests: Reflect on some literary genres, authors, or themes that resonate with you most, as a genuine interest will enhance motivation and engagement throughout an entire research process.
  • Conduct Preliminary Research: Review existing articles and literary criticism to gain insights into current discussions and identify gaps in a chosen piece of literature that warrant further exploration.
  • Narrow a Focus: Define a specific aspect of a broader theme to ensure a manageable scope, allowing for a more in-depth analysis and clearer research questions.
  • Consider Relevance: Evaluate a contemporary significance of a chosen literature research paper topic by connecting it to current societal issues or debates, thereby enriching an entire analysis and fostering a meaningful dialogue.
  • Consult With Peers or Mentors: Engage in discussions with colleagues or academic advisors to refine ideas, receive constructive feedback, and gain diverse perspectives on a proposed topic.

Top Literature Research Paper Topics

  • Modern Interpretations of Shakespeare’s Female Characters
  • Comparative Analysis of Magic Realism in Latin American and African Literature
  • Gender Stereotypes in Classic “Fairy Tales”: A Feminist Reading
  • Postcolonial Discourses in Salman Rushdie’s Novels
  • The Portrayal of Mental Health Issues in Young Adult Dystopian Novels
  • Tragic Elements and Morality in Ancient Greek Drama
  • Medieval Literature: A Deep Dive Into Chivalric Codes
  • Depictions of Nature in Romantic Poetry: Keats and Wordsworth
  • Satire as a Political Tool in Jonathan Swift’s Works
  • Insights Into Victorian Society through Charles Dickens’s Novels
  • Analysis of Irony in Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”
  • Existential Themes in Albert Camus’s “The Stranger”
  • Reading Into Metaphysical Elements in John Donne’s Poetry
  • Gothic Tropes in Emily Bronte’s “Wuthering Heights”
  • Exploration of Race Relations in Toni Morrison’s “Beloved”
  • Mapping Journey Motifs in Homer’s “Odyssey”
  • Postmodern Narrative Techniques in Kurt Vonnegut’s “Slaughterhouse-Five”
  • Elements of Surrealism in Gabriel García Márquez’s “One Hundred Years of Solitude”
  • Unraveling Childhood Innocence in J.D. Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye”
  • Deciphering Symbolism in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”

Simple Literature Research Paper Topics

  • Love Themes in “Romeo and Juliet”
  • “Pride and Prejudice”: A Study of Class Differences
  • Symbolism in Classics: “The Old Man and the Sea”
  • Epistolary Style in “Dracula”: Advantages and Limitations
  • Human Nature in “Lord of the Flies”
  • Nature Imagery in Wordsworth’s Poetry
  • Dualism in “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”
  • Portrayal of Women in “The Handmaid’s Tale”
  • Morality in “To Kill a Mockingbird”
  • Shakespeare’s Use of Soliloquy in “Hamlet”
  • Dystopian Elements in “1984”
  • Heroism in “Beowulf”: An Analysis
  • Innocence and Experience in Blake’s “Songs of Innocence and of Experience”
  • Significance of Dreams in Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis”
  • Children’s Perspective in “The Secret Garden”
  • Comparing Bronte Sisters: Themes in “Jane Eyre” and “Wuthering Heights”
  • Post-War Reality in “The Catcher in the Rye”
  • Survival and Humanity in “The Road”
  • Animal Imagery in Orwell’s “Animal Farm”

Interesting Literature Research Paper Topics

  • Dystopian Projections in Margaret Atwood’s “Oryx and Crake”
  • Magical Elements in Salman Rushdie’s “Midnight’s Children”
  • Challenging Class Systems in Dickens’s “Great Expectations”
  • Existential Concerns in Kafka’s “The Trial”
  • Depicting Childhood Trauma in Khaled Hosseini’s “The Kite Runner”
  • Exploitation Themes in Upton Sinclair’s “The Jungle”
  • Steinbeck’s Critique of Capitalism in “Grapes of Wrath”
  • Illusion and Reality in Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”
  • Cultural Collision in Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart”
  • Decoding Ecofeminism in Barbara Kingsolver’s “Prodigal Summer”
  • The Symbolism of the Mississippi River in Twain’s “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”
  • Questioning Morality in Dostoevsky’s “Crime and Punishment”
  • Loss and Regret in Ian McEwan’s “Atonement”
  • Feminist Undertones in Virginia Woolf’s “To the Lighthouse”
  • Violence and Rebellion in Anthony Burgess’s “A Clockwork Orange”
  • Exploring Oppression in George Orwell’s “1984”
  • Unveiling Transcendentalism in Thoreau’s “Walden”
  • Interpreting Paradox in Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland”
  • Understanding Antiheroes in Bret Easton Ellis’s “American Psycho”
  • Power Dynamics in William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies”

Academic Difference

Academic level differences significantly influence an overall complexity and focus of literature research paper topics. At an undergraduate level, these subjects often center on foundational literary concepts, such as thematic analysis or character exploration, encouraging students to develop basic analytical skills and engage with primary texts (Klarer, 2024). Basically, students may analyze well-known works or authors, emphasizing comprehension and summarization over original interpretation. In contrast, graduate-level research demands a more sophisticated approach, where topics require critical engagement with existing scholarship, a deep understanding of theoretical frameworks, and an ability to synthesize multiple perspectives (Cordell & Pennington, 2020). As such, graduate students are expected to formulate unique arguments and contribute to ongoing scholarly conversations, often exploring niche areas of literature that reflect their specialized interests. Moreover, doctoral research further elevates these expectations by necessitating original contributions to a specific field, often involving extensive research or interdisciplinary approaches (Marchetti & O’Dell, 2018). In principle, advanced literature research paper topics are characterized by their depth, requiring comprehensive literature reviews and an ability to articulate complex ideas clearly. Consequently, as students progress through academic courses, an entire depth of inquiry, originality of thought, and critical engagement with literature become increasingly pronounced, reflecting evolving demands of scholarly research.

Literature Research Topics for High School

  • Tracing Gothic Themes in Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein”
  • Unmasking Symbolism: Interpreting Imagery in “To Kill a Mockingbird”
  • Exploring the Concept of Heroism in J.R.R Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings”
  • Feminist Perspectives in Charlotte Bronte’s “Jane Eyre”
  • Satirical Elements in Mark Twain’s “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”
  • Dystopian Societies: A Comparative Study of George Orwell’s “1984” and Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World”
  • Postmodernist Techniques in Kurt Vonnegut’s “Slaughterhouse-Five”
  • Southern Gothic and Memory in William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily”
  • Cultural Displacement and Identity in Amy Tan’s “The Joy Luck Club”
  • Manifestations of the American Dream in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”
  • Interpretation of Dreams and Reality in Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland”
  • Analysis of Autobiographical Elements in Maya Angelou’s “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”
  • Divergent Perspectives of Time in Virginia Woolf’s “Mrs. Dalloway”
  • Intersection of Art and Life in Oscar Wilde’s “The Picture of Dorian Gray”
  • Native American Mythology in Louise Erdrich’s “Tracks”
  • Human Morality and Ethics in Albert Camus’ “The Stranger”
  • Parallels Between War and Chess in Stefan Zweig’s “The Royal Game”
  • Cross-Cultural Relationships in Jhumpa Lahiri’s “The Namesake”
  • Stream of Consciousness Technique in James Joyce’s “Ulysses”
  • Understanding Death Through Emily Dickinson’s Poetry

Literature Research Topics for College Students

  • Examination of Heroic Archetypes in Homer’s “Odyssey”
  • Exploring Cultural Identity in Jhumpa Lahiri’s “The Namesake”
  • Decoding Magical Realism in Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s “One Hundred Years of Solitude”
  • Inquiries Into the Absurd in Albert Camus’s “The Stranger”
  • Dissection of Class Conflict in Charles Dickens’s “Hard Times”
  • Understanding Transcendentalism through Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Essays
  • Manifestations of Fate and Destiny in Thomas Hardy’s “Tess of the D’Urbervilles”
  • Delineation of Feminine Strength in Jane Austen’s “Persuasion”
  • Satire as a Societal Mirror in Jonathan Swift’s “Gulliver’s Travels”
  • Unveiling Symbolism in Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”
  • Assessment of Postmodern Elements in Thomas Pynchon’s “The Crying of Lot 49”
  • Dissecting Racism in Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird”
  • Extrapolating Environmental Themes from Ernest Callenbach’s “Ecotopia”
  • Demystifying Magic Realism in Salman Rushdie’s “Midnight’s Children”
  • Journey Motif in J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings”
  • Analyzing Dual Personalities in Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”
  • Tragic Love in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”
  • Portraying Madness in Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper”
  • Uncovering Utopian Ideas in George Orwell’s “Animal Farm”

Literature Research Topics for University

  • Decoding Stream of Consciousness Technique in Virginia Woolf’s “To The Lighthouse”
  • Assessment of Existentialism in Jean-Paul Sartre’s “Nausea”
  • Deconstruction of Racism in Toni Morrison’s “Beloved”
  • Investigating Trauma in Tim O’Brien’s “The Things They Carried”
  • Dissection of Consumerism in Bret Easton Ellis’s “American Psycho”
  • Examining Gender Norms in Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women”
  • Inquiry Into Surrealism in Haruki Murakami’s “Kafka on the Shore”
  • Tracing Familial Ties in Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s “One Hundred Years of Solitude”
  • Interrogating Nihilism in Fyodor Dostoevsky’s “Notes from Underground”
  • Exploration of Spirituality in Hermann Hesse’s “Siddhartha”
  • Deconstructing Masculinity in Ernest Hemingway’s “The Sun Also Rises”
  • Deciphering Nature Imagery in William Wordsworth’s Poetry
  • Delineation of Social Status in Edith Wharton’s “The Age of Innocence”
  • Analysis of Post-Colonial Themes in Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart”
  • Investigation of War Commentary in Joseph Heller’s “Catch-22”
  • Exploration of Existential Crisis in Franz Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis”
  • Dissecting Rebellion in George Orwell’s “1984”
  • Examination of Love and Loss in John Green’s “The Fault in Our Stars”
  • Tragic Themes in Sophocles’s “Oedipus Rex”
  • Unveiling Modernism in James Joyce’s “Ulysses”

Literature Research Topics for Master’s and Ph.D.

  • Cultural Displacement Analysis in Salman Rushdie’s “Midnight’s Children”
  • Nietzschean Perspectives in Dostoevsky’s “Crime and Punishment”
  • Autobiographical Influence in Sylvia Plath’s “The Bell Jar”
  • Subversion of Gender Norms in Virginia Woolf’s “Orlando”
  • Psychoanalytic Reading of Edgar Allan Poe’s Short Stories
  • Investigation Into Metafiction in Italo Calvino’s “If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler”
  • Identity Negotiations in James Baldwin’s “Go Tell It on the Mountain”
  • Sartrean Existentialism in Albert Camus’s “The Stranger”
  • Deconstruction of Colonial Narratives in J.M Coetzee’s “Waiting for the Barbarians”
  • Utopian Idealism in Thomas More’s “Utopia”
  • Questioning Morality in Kazuo Ishiguro’s “Never Let Me Go”
  • Feminist Readings of Simone de Beauvoir’s “The Second Sex”
  • Analysis of Symbolism in William Faulkner’s “The Sound and the Fury”
  • Investigation of Absurdism in Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot”
  • Dissecting Magical Realism in Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s “One Hundred Years of Solitude”
  • Tracing Mythological Allusions in Dante Alighieri’s “Divine Comedy”
  • Comparative Study of Tragic Heroes in Shakespeare’s Tragedies
  • Exploration of Trauma in Art Spiegelman’s “Maus”
  • Conceptions of the Self in Marcel Proust’s “In Search of Lost Time”
  • Analyzing Paradox in Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland”

English Literature Research Paper Topics

  • Cultural Criticism in Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales”
  • Deconstructionist Readings of John Milton’s “Paradise Lost”
  • Analyzing Gender Dynamics in Emily Bronte’s “Wuthering Heights”
  • Colonial Discourse in Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness”
  • Comparative Study: Shakespeare’s Comedies vs. Tragedies
  • Psychoanalytical Interpretation of Characters in D.H. Lawrence’s “Sons and Lovers”
  • Religious Allusions in George Herbert’s Poetry
  • Depiction of Victorian Society in Thomas Hardy’s “Tess of the D’Urbervilles”
  • Exploration of Feminist Themes in George Eliot’s “Middlemarch”
  • Romanticism and the Sublime in William Wordsworth’s Poetry
  • Subversion of Gothic Conventions in Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein”
  • Satirical Elements in Jonathan Swift’s “Gulliver’s Travels”
  • Examining Narrative Structure in Laurence Sterne’s “Tristram Shandy”
  • Critiquing Imperialism in Rudyard Kipling’s “Kim”
  • Identity Politics in Zadie Smith’s “White Teeth”
  • Analyzing Trauma in Pat Barker’s “Regeneration”
  • Metaphysical Elements in John Donne’s Poetry
  • Modernism and Stream of Consciousness in Virginia Woolf’s “Mrs. Dalloway”
  • Inquiry Into Postmodernism in Salman Rushdie’s “The Satanic Verses”

World Literature Research Paper Topics

  • Comparative Analysis of Magical Realism in Gabriel García Márquez’s Work “One Hundred Years of Solitude” and Salman Rushdie’s “Midnight’s Children”
  • The Interplay of Irony and Satire in Voltaire’s “Candide”: An In-Depth Study
  • Existentialism in Fyodor Dostoevsky’s “Crime and Punishment”: A Philosophical Inquiry
  • Politics of Gender in Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart”
  • Power of Storytelling in “Arabian Nights”: A Narrative Examination
  • Tragic Elements in Sophocles’ “Oedipus Rex”: A Dramatic Analysis
  • Influence of Historical Context in Dante’s “The Divine Comedy”
  • Modernist Themes in James Joyce’s “Ulysses”: An In-Depth Analysis
  • Postcolonial Perspectives in J. M. Coetzee’s “Disgrace”
  • Examination of Symbolism in Franz Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis”
  • Unraveling Surrealism in Federico García Lorca’s “Blood Wedding”
  • Quest for Identity in Wole Soyinka’s “Death and the King’s Horseman”
  • Peculiarities of Bildungsroman in Thomas Mann’s “The Magic Mountain”
  • Melodrama and Sentimentality in Leo Tolstoy’s “Anna Karenina”
  • Postmodern Techniques in Italo Calvino’s “Invisible Cities”
  • Religious Motifs in Yukio Mishima’s “The Temple of the Golden Pavilion”
  • Deconstruction of the Hero Archetype in “Beowulf”: An Analytical Study
  • Decoding Mythology in Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s “Love in the Time of Cholera”
  • Gothic Elements in Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein”: A Comprehensive Analysis
  • Semiotics of War in “The Iliad” by Homer: A Deeper Look

American Literature Research Paper Topics

  • Symbolism in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter”: A Deeper Understanding
  • Modernist Elements in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”
  • Decoding the Racial Landscape in Mark Twain’s “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”
  • Examination of the Feminine Voice in Kate Chopin’s “The Awakening”
  • Nature and Wilderness in Henry David Thoreau’s “Walden”: A Thorough Analysis
  • Existential Themes in Ernest Hemingway’s “The Old Man and the Sea”
  • Gothic Tropes in Edgar Allan Poe’s Short Stories: An Analytical Approach
  • Subversion of Romantic Ideals in Herman Melville’s “Moby-Dick”
  • Postmodern Experimentation in Thomas Pynchon’s “The Crying of Lot 49”
  • Humanism and Individualism in Walt Whitman’s “Leaves of Grass”: A Comprehensive Study
  • Interrogating Social Issues in John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath”
  • Absurdity and Alienation in Tennessee Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire”
  • Motifs of Feminism in Sylvia Plath’s “The Bell Jar”
  • Unraveling Magical Realism in Toni Morrison’s “Beloved”
  • Tracing Violence and American Dream in Cormac McCarthy’s “Blood Meridian”
  • Discourses of Power in Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible”
  • Investigating Racism and Injustice in Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird”
  • Exploration of Gender and Class in Edith Wharton’s “The House of Mirth”
  • Southern Gothic Elements in William Faulkner’s “A Rose for Emily”

Early American Literature Research Paper Topics

  • Revisiting Puritan Ideology in John Winthrop’s “A Model of Christian Charity”
  • Interrogating Witchcraft in Cotton Mather’s “Wonders of the Invisible World”
  • Colonial Discourse in John Smith’s “A Description of New England”
  • Unearthing Abolitionist Rhetoric in Phillis Wheatley’s “Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral”
  • Narrative Structures in Mary Rowlandson’s “The Sovereignty and Goodness of God”
  • The Dichotomy of Faith and Reason in Jonathan Edwards’ Work “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”
  • Tales of Captivity: An Analysis of Olaudah Equiano’s “The Interesting Narrative”
  • Puritan Ethics in Anne Bradstreet’s “To My Dear and Loving Husband”
  • Exploration of Moralism and Feminism in “Charlotte Temple” by Susanna Rowson
  • Sentimentality and Revolution in Hannah Webster Foster’s “The Coquette”
  • Mourning and Memorial in Edward Taylor’s “Preparatory Meditations”
  • Decoding the Political in Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense”
  • Unraveling Utopia in Francis Bacon’s “New Atlantis”
  • Intersections of Religion and Ecology in William Bartram’s “Travels”
  • Slavery and Autobiography in “The History of Mary Prince”
  • Examining Native Representation in James Fenimore Cooper’s “The Last of the Mohicans”
  • Investigation of Transcendentalism in Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “Self-Reliance”
  • Deconstruction of Gothic in Charles Brockden Brown’s “Wieland”
  • Manifest Destiny and Conquest in Washington Irving’s “A Tour on the Prairies”
  • The Interplay of Autobiography and Identity in Benjamin Franklin’s “The Autobiography”

Modernist Literature Research Paper Topics

  • Stream of Consciousness Portrayal in Virginia Woolf’s “To the Lighthouse”
  • Decoding Symbolism in T. S. Eliot’s “The Waste Land”
  • Mythical Allusions in James Joyce’s “Ulysses”
  • Questioning Identity in Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot”
  • Exploration of Absurdism in Albert Camus’ “The Stranger”
  • Unraveling Dystopia in George Orwell’s “1984”
  • War Imagery in Ernest Hemingway’s “A Farewell to Arms”
  • Discourses of Power in Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World”
  • Interrogating Alienation in Franz Kafka’s “The Metamorphosis”
  • Confronting Colonialism in Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness”
  • Critique of Consumerism in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”
  • Religious Symbolism in William Faulkner’s “As I Lay Dying”
  • Time and Memory in Marcel Proust’s “In Search of Lost Time”
  • Revisiting Surrealism in André Breton’s “Manifestoes of Surrealism”
  • Constructing Feminine Voice in Djuna Barnes’ “Nightwood”
  • Melancholia and Desire in Thomas Mann’s “Death in Venice”
  • Tracing Revolution in John Dos Passos’ “The 42nd Parallel”
  • Racial Tensions in Richard Wright’s “Native Son”
  • Examination of Silence in Eugene O’Neill’s “Long Day’s Journey Into Night”

Renaissance Literature Research Paper Topics

  • Interrogating Love in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet”
  • Humanism in Thomas More’s “Utopia”
  • Religious Symbolism in John Donne’s “Holy Sonnets”
  • Examining Power in Christopher Marlowe’s “Doctor Faustus”
  • Quest for Knowledge in Francis Bacon’s “The Advancement of Learning”
  • Nature and Desire in Andrew Marvell’s “To His Coy Mistress”
  • Comparative Analysis of Metaphysical Poetry: John Donne and George Herbert
  • Petrarchan Influence in Edmund Spenser’s “The Faerie Queene”
  • Tragedy and Revenge in Thomas Kyd’s “The Spanish Tragedy”
  • Decoding Allegory in John Bunyan’s “The Pilgrim’s Progress”
  • Courtly Love in Sir Thomas Malory’s “Le Morte d’Arthur”
  • Exploration of Colonial Discourse in Richard Hakluyt’s “The Principal Navigations”
  • Interrogating Femininity in Aphra Behn’s “Oroonoko”
  • Carnival and Power in Rabelais’ “Gargantua and Pantagruel”
  • Satirical Elements in Jonathan Swift’s “A Modest Proposal”
  • Renaissance Humanism in Pico della Mirandola’s “Oration on the Dignity of Man”
  • Political Machinations in Niccolò Machiavelli’s “The Prince”
  • Deciphering Madness in Robert Burton’s “The Anatomy of Melancholy”
  • Rhetoric and Persuasion in Thomas Hobbes’ “Leviathan”
  • Imagery and Metaphor in Sir Philip Sidney’s “Astrophil and Stella”

Literature Review Research Paper Topics

  • Synthesis of Feminism in Contemporary Women’s Literature
  • Historical Contexts of Postcolonial Literature: A Critical Examination
  • Deconstruction in Postmodern Literature: A Comprehensive Analysis
  • Comparative Review of Magical Realism in Latin American Literature
  • Understanding Trauma Narratives in Holocaust Literature
  • Unveiling Dystopia in Contemporary Young Adult Fiction
  • Identity Politics in Post-Apartheid South African Literature
  • Power Dynamics in Dystopian Science Fiction Literature
  • Dialogues of Ecocriticism in Environmental Literature
  • Subversion of Narrative Structures in Experimental Literature
  • Poe’s Gothic Tradition: An Analysis Across Multiple Works
  • Discourse of Mental Illness in Modernist Literature
  • Comparative Analysis of Existentialism in European Literature
  • Review of Cyberpunk Tropes in Contemporary Literature
  • Revisiting Chivalry in Medieval Arthurian Literature
  • Metamodernism in 21 st -Century Literature: A Critical Review
  • Investigation of Spiritualism in Transcendentalist Literature
  • Tracking Satire in 18 th -Century British Literature
  • Review of Queer Themes in LGBT+ Literature
  • Understanding Cultural Hybridity in Diasporic Literature

Bump, J. F. (2022). The value of literature, today and tomorrow. Literature , 2 (1), 1–25. https://doi.org/10.3390/literature2010001

Cordell, R., & Pennington, J. (2020). Creating literary analysis . LibreTexts.

Klarer, M. (2024). An introduction to literary studies . Routledge.

Manyak, P. C., & Manyak, A. (2021). Literary analysis and writing: An integrated instructional routine. The Reading Teacher , 74 (4), 395–405. https://doi.org/10.1002/trtr.1959

Marchetti, A., & O’Dell, R. (2018). Beyond literary analysis: Teaching students to write with passion and authority about any text . Heinemann.

Thexton, T., Prasad, A., & Mills, A. J. (2019). Learning empathy through literature. Culture and Organization , 25 (2), 83–90. https://doi.org/10.1080/14759551.2019.1569339

To Learn More, Read Relevant Articles

Education Research Paper Topics & Special Ideas

334 Education Research Paper Topics & Special Ideas

  • Icon Calendar 1 June 2023
  • Icon Page 3519 words

 LGBTQ+ Research Topics & Paper Ideas

276 LGBTQ+ Research Topics & Paper Ideas

  • Icon Calendar 31 May 2023
  • Icon Page 3562 words

Literature Research Paper Topics in 2023

Helen Burgos

Table of contents

  • 1 What is Literature Research?
  • 2 Tips on How to Select the Best Literature Research Paper Topic?
  • 3 Literary Research Topics for High School
  • 4 Literature Research Paper Topics for College Students
  • 5 Literacy Research Topics for Debate
  • 6 British Literary Research Topics
  • 7 American Literature Research Topics
  • 8 World Literature Research Paper Topics
  • 9 Modernist Literature Research Paper Topics

What is Literature Research?

Before choosing topics in literature, clarify the concept of literature research to understand the main purpose, structure, and features of writing this type of task.

Firstly, the student must consider the vision of the author of the work, the interpretation of his images, and their personification as the protagonists of the issues on the agenda of that time.

Next, the stylistic and semantic features of the work should be analyzed. Rhythm, speech style, and symbolic and compositional features are often difficult for inexperienced students. We recommend to buy literature review online to be sure of its quality, to get a high score, and have a sample for the future.

After that, the student must give his assessment of the text. Express your opinion about the main events in the book, their significance, and their impact on the further development of the plot.

Tips on How to Select the Best Literature Research Paper Topic?

At the very beginning of writing a research paper, it is important to choose the right format. The style you choose, with the support of research paper help , will definitely affect how you present your work and how it will be accepted in the academic environment:

Abstract from the main idea of the work and try to find topics that are not obvious at first glance. This advice will be especially useful for older students who, in addition to technically correct paper writing, want to stand out from their peers. This question often arises when writing dissertations or theses. If you thought: “How to write a good literature review for a dissertation with an engaging topic?” keep reading.

Select 3-4 topics that seem most interesting literature topics to you. Writing top research papers often takes several weeks. So make sure that during the whole time, you will desire to return to this task.

Choose a topic in which you will feel confident. Each of us has stronger and weaker areas of knowledge. Use your advantage and choose a topic you will understand better than others.

Literary Research Topics for High School

If you are a high school or university student and need to complete an assignment but still don’t know how to do it or lack time, we recommend you to buy college research paper from professionals to stay on the safe side. And for those, who want to see literature topics for research paper examples, we’ve listed 10 of them below:

  • Self-Sacrifice as a Manifestation of Cowardice or Courage: Examples in Medieval Ballads
  • Social Identity in Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes: the Madness of the Main Character as a Prototype of Humanistic Views
  • The Plot of “Painful Love” in William Shakespeare Plays as an Example of an Ideal Experience of Feelings
  • Lady Macbeth and Its Historical Prototype: Similarities and Differences
  • The Image of the Catholic Church in Dante Alighieri’s “Divine Comedy”
  • Why are Hemingway’s Works Still Important for the Development of Modern Society?
  • How Aztec Mythology Influenced the Literary Customs of American Prose
  • Contribution of African Americans to the Image of the “White Invader” in Books of the 20th and 21st Centuries
  • Viking Beliefs and their Echoes in European Literature: Examples from Renaissance Literature
  • Is it Possible to Create a Universal Artificial Language? How will it Affect Literature?

Literature Research Paper Topics for College Students

Students need to stand out from their groups when studying in college with unique and engaging papers. If you want to impress your classmates and teacher with an outstanding paper, check the list of these exciting literature topics.

  • How do Authors Describe Madness in Literature?
  • Victorian Literature and Its Peculiarities: Structural, Compositional and Stylistic Features
  • The Contribution of the Arabic Verse System to World Poetics: Beyts, Rudakis, Rubai Poems
  • Protagonists Character Analysis of Moliere’s Play “The Nobleman”: the Main Features Inherent in the Heroes of Classical Works
  • The History of the Development of Speech and its Influence on the Works of Renaissance Authors
  • The Influence of the Catholic Church on Literature and Writing in the Middle Ages
  • Indian Literature Discuss – Structural and Compositional Design of Works, Stylistic Features and Metaphorical Images
  • West VS East: Comparative Description of the Main Characters’ System of Images & Behavior Patterns Using Examples of Modern Works (Optional)
  • The Policy of Imperialism and its Influence on Literary Variability in the Countries of North America
  • The Main Challenges in Studying Literary Discourse for Students. How to Deal with Them? Personal View

If you are struggling to come up with good literature research paper topics, PapersOwl can do a literature review for you and help you come up with ideas and new information. Our team of expert writers will research and find the most relevant topics and provide you with research material to get you going.

Literacy Research Topics for Debate

It is hard to find essay topics when everything is analyzed and researched many times. Moreover, students must remember that they should develop their literature to discuss subjects from the beginning of the introduction till the very last word of conclusion of research paper . We’ve prepared a list of engaging for the audience and interesting to explore for you literary topics for research papers.

  • Religion and Literature – Exploring the Similarity and Differences
  • Psychology and Literature. Do Authors of Psychology Books Aim to Help Society? Is it a Financial Plan?
  • War and Peace – Ideas of Hedonism even During Dark Times or Idealization of Violence by Giving Humanity to the Main Characters?
  • Screen Adaptations VS Printed Books: Eternal Confrontation of Preferences or Rejection of Modern Reality?
  • The Role of the Theory of Literary Studies in Applied Approaches to the Study and Processing of Medieval Novels
  • Can Ancient Writings on Tablets, Cave Walls or Papyrus be Considered Ancestors of Modern Literature? For and Against
  • The Culture of Mass Consumption and its Influence on Reducing the Circulation Interval of Books: is there a Direct Connection?
  • Postmodern Poetics: Main Rules and Canons. Do they Exist?
  • Can Prose Compete with Poetics in Lyricism: Examples of Francesco Petrarca Works
  • Do Mythological Knowledge and Ancient Legends Influence Modern Literature? Proving by Examples.

British Literary Research Topics

English literature has a great variety of themes to explore. That is why it is confusing for many students to come up with interesting British literary research topics. Thus, our team offers you unique and engaging English literature research paper ideas which you can use directly for writing or inspiration:

  • Ancient Literature in Britain: Connection and Influence of the Roman Literary Canon
  • Literature of the Knights Templar: Myth or Truth?
  • British Literature During the Reign of King Henry VIII: How was the Change of Religion Reflected in Literature?
  • Dirk Bogard – Biography and Contribution to the Literary Heritage of the United Kingdom
  • William Shakespeare’s Tragedies as a Consequence of the Era or the Playwright’s Misogynistic Views?
  • British Nobel Laureate in Literature: Rudyard Kipling. Author’s Creative Path and Outstanding Works
  • The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde as the Legalization of the “Low” Desires of Mankind
  • Byronism and its Influence on George Byron’s European Contemporaries-Colleagues
  • Why were Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Plays and Poems Overshadowed by his Detective Novels?
  • European Realistic Novel. The role of Daniel Dafoe in the Creation of this Genre.
  • Free unlimited checks
  • All common file formats
  • Accurate results
  • Intuitive interface

American Literature Research Topics

Often, teachers ask students to research a particular piece of American literature. This is a tricky task because a huge number of different directions, currents, and authors might seem confusing. Our team has prepared the top 10 American literature research paper topics that you can use to write an essay that will impress your teacher.

  • The Role of African American Literature Pieces in Modern Written Heritage
  • Early American Literature. Was there a Literature Culture among the Native Peoples of America?
  • The Uniqueness of the American Literary Style in the World Picture of Literary Heritage
  • Regional Features of the Use of Stylistic Means in the USA
  • Benjamin Franklin and his Address to the European Theme: Analysis of a Selected Piece
  • Rhetorical Heritage of the Puritans and its use in Works Based on the “Founding Myths of the United States”
  • The American Renaissance: What New Appeared in the Literature of American Authors in this Period?
  • Feminist Influence on the Number of Women Writers in Contemporary American Literature
  • Top 10 Masterpieces of American Literature that Never Became World Famous
  • The Influence of Printed Media on American Literature in the 80s of the Last Century.

World Literature Research Paper Topics

Choosing one subject of interest from world literature is the same as finding a perfectly-shaped grain of sand on the beach. We’ve selected the best ideas for your literary research paper to simplify your life.

  • The Spirit of Duende in Spanish-Language Literature
  • Postindependence Indian Literature – Comparative Characteristics with the Past
  • Influence of Japanese Literature on Modern Asian and European Literature
  • Western Literature in Comparison to Eastern Literature: Analysis of the Main Ideological Values and their Implementation in Plots
  • Social Stratification and Self-Identification of Indian people on the Example of the Novel “Shantaram” by Gregory David Roberts
  • Contemporary Literature of Mexico: Main Features Borrowed from American Literature
  • Highlighting the Problem of Violence in the Works of Modern Authors in American Literature
  • Why Mass Literature Displaces “Underground” Authors: Can We Stop this Process?
  • Literary Discourse of the Arab World: the Influence of Poetics on Prose
  • Agatha Christie and the Murder on the Orient Express: Was Hercule Poirot Contused rather than Genious?

Modernist Literature Research Paper Topics

The era of modernism affected every sphere of human life: the political organization of countries, changes in labor law, music, visual arts, and literature. This period is one of the most confusing and, at the same time, the most intriguing in the field of literature. That is why our team has prepared for students the 10 best research topics of the modernist era.

  • Tiffany Style: Detailed Overview of Features and Specific Details
  • Liberty Style in Italy: Theoretical Aspect of Emergence
  • P. Ranson and the Art Nouveau Style: Compositional Characteristics of Novels
  • Stream of Consciousness and the Depiction of New Forms of the Human Psyche by Modernists
  • Universalization of Artistic Techniques in the P.Bonner Works
  • Jugend-Shtil: Special Details of Trivial Everyday Life
  • Philosophy of Order in the Utopian Idea of the Way of Life in American Literature
  • Research the Subject’s Internal Individual Freedom at a Deeper Level of his Internal Isolation
  • Advantage of Creative Intuition over Classical Canons: Contemporary American Literature
  • Metalanguage and Myth-Making: Creation of a New Genre in Literature

Looking for interesting literature research paper topics? Look no further! If you’re having trouble finding inspiring ideas for your paper, PapersOwl writing service can provide you with the help you need. With its vast database of resources and experienced writers, PapersOwl can offer fresh and innovative topics to make your paper stand out.

All in all, literature discussion papers are challenging for many students. You need to dive into a text, analyze all its peculiarities, and give your own opinion. We hope our study research topics will simplify your task and will come in handy. Just remember to select the topic you are interested in and, of course, use our tips to write an outstanding paper. Good luck!

Readers also enjoyed

capstone project ideas

WHY WAIT? PLACE AN ORDER RIGHT NOW!

Just fill out the form, press the button, and have no worries!

We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy.

literature research topics ideas

  • Write my thesis
  • Thesis writers
  • Buy thesis papers
  • Bachelor thesis
  • Master's thesis
  • Thesis editing services
  • Thesis proofreading services
  • Buy a thesis online
  • Write my dissertation
  • Dissertation proposal help
  • Pay for dissertation
  • Custom dissertation
  • Dissertation help online
  • Buy dissertation online
  • Cheap dissertation
  • Dissertation editing services
  • Write my research paper
  • Buy research paper online
  • Pay for research paper
  • Research paper help
  • Order research paper
  • Custom research paper
  • Cheap research paper
  • Research papers for sale
  • Thesis subjects
  • How It Works

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 .

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

My Paper Done

  • Services Paper editing services Paper proofreading Business papers Philosophy papers Write my paper Term papers for sale Term paper help Academic term papers Buy research papers College writing services Paper writing help Student papers Original term papers Research paper help Nursing papers for sale Psychology papers Economics papers Medical papers Blog

literature research topics ideas

75 Literature Research Paper Topic Ideas For You!

Literature Research Paper Topic

Through the exceptional examples we intent on sharing below, you will know how to stay on topic writing a research literature paper with ease. Stay with me.

English British Literature Research Paper Topic Ideas

  • A review of the character of Lady Macbeth in the works of William Shakespeare
  • Typical characters dominant in World War 1 and II books
  • How did Charles Dickens picture Victorian England in his works?
  • How Greek and Roman influenced Western literature
  • The role of the three Medieval Centuries of Literature in Britain
  • The construction of social identity through British English literature
  • How the natural world is represented in English British literature
  • Discuss the Anglo-Saxon oral poet myth

What is a Good Research Paper Topic For Early American Literature?

  • Major historical characters during the colonial period in America
  • How the revolutionary period of 1765 to 1789 defines freedom for America
  • The role of James Fennimore Cooper in enhancing nationalism
  • Moral ambiguity lessons during the American renaissance period
  • African Influence and Realism in Harriet Beecher Stowe’s book
  • Social perception of contemporary American literature
  • The place of women in early American literature
  • Historical and cultural considerations of early American literature

Literature Research Paper Topic Ideas For High School

  • Discuss why ‘Harry Potter’ is still dominant
  • What is the difference between Utopian and dystopian literature?
  • How to distinguish fan fiction from other genres of literature
  • The significant contributions of the works of Shakespeare
  • Describe how literature enhances male chauvinism
  • Why are sex and romance the most read genre in literature?
  • The pros and cons of literature to society
  • How religion coincides with literature

Literature Research Paper Topics For University Degree Students

  • The impact of digitization on the dissemination and consumption of literature material
  • Interrelations and patterns existing between fables and human stories
  • The role of reading behaviors on the growth of literature
  • The shared elements of oral and written literature
  • How to make literature more interactive and human-centered
  • Evaluating the challenges facing the publishing industry
  • The impact of digital media on old literary forms
  • Is it possible to attain intellectually oriented people through reading?

Latest British Literature Research Paper Topics

  • Pertinent issues lacking in the British literature
  • Myths and facts on the gender issue in British literary materials
  • Why some books are considered literary classics?
  • A view of men in the works of William Shakespeare
  • What is the reception of modern literary works in Britain?
  • The theme of destiny and free will in the works of William Shakespeare
  • How the Victorian period impacted British literature
  • The variation between love presented in the books and the physical

Argumentative American Literature Research Paper Topics

  • Can books portray a fake reality from that which exists?
  • Are there realistic features in fiction stories?
  • Can the media complement the existing literary materials effectively?
  • Is the American literature a catalyst of violence
  • Are book reviews able to be without bias?
  • Is human dependence on technology harmful to print materials?
  • Has the coronavirus lockdown had an impact on American literature?
  • Is the government to blame for poor reading habits among citizens?

Hot Literature Topics For Research Paper

  • How are poets coping in the innovative era?
  • Which novels have withstood the test of time to now, and why?
  • Are countries losing their cultures as a result of ignoring literature?
  • Latest forms of copyright in the technology era
  • How racism is portrayed in novels in the 21st century
  • What is the place of literature in shaping a society’s morals?
  • How does culture affect literature in the American context?
  • An examination of how religion and literature collide

Controversial Literature Research Paper Topics

  • How to handle the topic of abortion in literature
  • Is literature promoting old cultural values that have been overtaken by events?
  • An analysis of the portrayal of sex in literary materials
  • Were Romeo and Juliet a mere fantasy story?
  • How far is too far for comedy in oral literature?
  • Feminism issues raised in the existing literary materials
  • The portrayal of ethnicity through literature
  • Who should censor literary materials used by students?

World Literature Research Paper Topics

  • The relationship between old and contemporary American literature
  • What role does gender play in any form of literature?
  • Compare and contrast the American and British works of the middle and early ages
  • The role of the works of Muslim philosophers to new inventions
  • How have publication intervals fallen out of fashion?
  • Distinguish between performance and narration in literature
  • The role of the supernatural and spirituality in literature
  • Why cultural values differentiate different works

High-Quality Literature Research Paper Topic Ideas

  • The role of female writers in the literature
  • Why do individual books get banned?
  • Problems facing the practical study of literature
  • The use of images in written literature
  • Early modern American works
  • Cross-cultural literary books
  • Functions of literature
  • Central themes in early British literature

Many students find writing a research paper challenging. Do not feel disappointed if you didn’t find a topic of your choice. You can still try our research paper writing services to get an affordable, customized literature research paper. You can still seek assistance from our writing help from experts on any section of your research paper today. Give it a try. Contact us with a “ do my research paper ” request and get a top grade. 

Research Topics in Linguistics

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Terms & Conditions Loyalty Program Privacy Policy Money-Back Policy

Copyright © 2013-2024 MyPaperDone.com

Custom Essay, Term Paper & Research paper writing services

  • testimonials

Toll Free: +1 (888) 354-4744

Email: [email protected]

Writing custom essays & research papers since 2008

100 best literary research paper topics for 2023.

literary research paper topics

Did you know that your professor will most likely award you bonus points simply because you came up with the most literary research paper topics? Or that writing essays on the best literary research paper topics is quicker than writing about other topics? Our list of literary analysis topics, literary analysis research paper topics and English literature topics is exactly what you need. All the topics are completely free to use and entirely original. We are working hard to update the list periodically to make sure we can help as many students as possible.

The Ultimate Literary Research Paper Topics List

Stop searching all over the Internet for excellent literary essay topics. Take a look at our list of literary topics and pick the one you like right now. We have plenty of topics for literary analysis split into different categories, so high school and college students can easily find what they are looking for, not matter if it’s rhetorical analysis essay or a paper related to specific period in literature. In addition, our literature topics are fresh. In other words, they are a great option in 2023. Get the best topics in literature in mere minutes right here (literary debate topics included).

Top 10 Literature Topics

Take a look at our list of the best 10 literary analysis essay topics ever and select the one you like. Remember, all these topics are original (at the time of writing):

  • Describe literature as a part of the modern culture.
  • Daoism in modern Chinese literature.
  • Feminism in contemporary literature.
  • Don Quixote’s most important personality traits.
  • How did literature help advance human culture?
  • 21st century poetry.
  • Charles Dickens and picture in the Victorian period.
  • Gender issues in European literature.
  • Difference between villains and antiheroes in modern literature.
  • Psychology and its link to literature.

British Literature Research Paper Topics

Are you interested in writing something interesting about British literature? If so, you may be interested in some of our amazing British literature research paper topics:

  • Cultures influenced by British literature.
  • Describe the peculiarities of the Orphans theme.
  • Compare two characters from 2 British literary works.
  • Utopian civilization in British literature.
  • Gender issues in British literary works.
  • What makes a book a classic?
  • Lake Poets and the Romantic Movement in British literature.
  • Oliver Twist: individualism and collectivism.

Interesting Literature Topics

Did you know that if you manage to surprise or impress your professor, you will most often get some bonus points? To achieve this, just choose one of these interesting literature topics:

  • Macbeth and the supernatural theme.
  • Social issues in modern literature.
  • Describe two masterpieces of contemporary literature.
  • Ethnicity in modem literature.
  • What is formalism in literature?
  • An in-depth Solomon Northrup biography.

Easy British Literature Essay Topics

We know, you want to write an interesting essay about British literature but don’t want to spend 4 days on it. Here are some easy British literature essay topics you will surely appreciate:

  • Discuss the Harry Potter books.
  • The loss of innocence motif (Lord of the Flies by William Golding)
  • Detective novels and their rise in popularity.
  • Analyze the three witches in Macbeth.
  • Describe the theme of class demarcation.
  • World War I: the use of violent imagery in novels.

Research Topics in English Literature

Do you want some of the best research topics in English literature on the Internet? You are in luck. We have some fresh topics that would work great in 2023:

  • Compare two of your favorite classis books.
  • What makes your favorite book so interesting?
  • Describe your favorite character in a book.
  • The best 5 authors in modern times.
  • Why has Harry Potter became so important?
  • Describe your favorite poet.

Western Literature Topics

Writing about Western literature can be a thrilling experience. Here are some topic ideas to choose from:

  • Compare and contrast 3 literary devices.
  • Artificial language in The Lord of the Rings.
  • The Bildungsroman genre: what is it?
  • Absalom, Absalom! by William Faulkner: Top 3 themes
  • Discuss the novel Tom Jones by Henry Fielding.
  • Paradise Lost’s influence on the modern novel

Literary Argument Topics

If you want to write a literary argument but don’t know where to start, we recommend you select one of these easy literary argument topics and start writing the paper today:

  • The Genesis myth in literature of the 17th century.
  • Analyze the poems by Thomas Hardy and identify the love and loss motifs.
  • Describe the peculiarities of rustic writing.
  • Gender in gothic novels.
  • Space age in literature of the 21st century.
  • Effects of mass print on Renaissance literature.

American Literature Research Paper Topics

Don’t postpone writing the American literature essay. We know you don’t know where to start, so we have put together a list of awesome American literature research paper topics just for you:

  • In-depth analysis of Colonial-period literature.
  • Puritan themes in Jonathan Edwards’ sermons.
  • Analyze Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence.
  • I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings: The power of education.
  • Ernest Hemingway’s Old Man and the Sea: unbreakable spirit
  • James Weldon Johnson’s The Creation: God’s humanity

Easy American Literature Topics

In case you want to write an essay about American literature but don’t want to spend too much time on it, we have some very interest and very easy American literature topics for students:

  • Discuss Latin American literature.
  • Top three literary devices in Moby Dick.
  • Discuss the main theme in Hamlet.
  • Eastern and Western literature: Similarities and differences
  • Discuss the contemporary literary theory.
  • Peculiarities of the personality of Don Quixote

Literary Analysis Paper Topics

Let’s face it: writing literary analysis essay can be a very difficult thing to do, especially if you don’t have academic writing experience. To make things easier for you, we’ve compiled a list of original literary analysis paper topics:

  • Analyze your favorite book.
  • Contrast two characters in your favorite literary work.
  • Analyze the historical context of your favorite book.
  • Analyze the main idea of a literary work of your choice.
  • An in-depth analysis of the cultural context of a book.
  • She significance of Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy.

European Literature

Are you interested in European literature? Don’t worry, we have some excellent topic ideas you can choose from right now:

  • Discuss Henrik Ibsen.
  • The peculiarities of Medieval European literature.
  • Analyze major divisions in literature in Europe.
  • The impact of European literature on modern literature.
  • Discuss The Epic of Gilgamesh
  • Discuss symbolism in European literature.

American Literature Research Topics for College

College students should pick more complex topics to write their essays about. Our skilled writers managed to create a list of American literature research topics for college students that are entirely original:

  • Compare American and European literature.
  • Compare American and Asian literature.
  • Women in American literature.
  • Critical issues in American literature.
  • Comedy in American literature.
  • War and peace in American literature.

Literary Journalism Topics

Interested in writing about literary journalism? We will make things as easy as possible for you. Just select one of these unique literary journalism topics and start working on your paper in minutes:

  • Adventure as a form of creative nonfiction.
  • Write a story about a famous crime.
  • Write the biography of your favorite writer.
  • Write a sporting story.
  • Discuss a political event.
  • Write about the history of an important invention.

World Literature Research Topics

It can be pretty tough to write a great essay on one of the many world literature research topics. Fortunately for you, we have some interesting ideas that don’t require extensive research:

  • Compare Chinese and Japanese literary works.
  • The differences between European and Chinese literature.
  • Similarities between Iliad and Odyssey,
  • Compare two Indian anti-British literary works.
  • How did Marx and Engels influence European literature?
  • Supernatural and spirituality in American literature.

Poetry Topics

Do you like poetry? If you do, you are most likely interested in writing an essay about it. Here are some great ideas that will get you started (all poetry topics are 100% original):

  • Discuss Sylvia Plath’s poems.
  • The Flowers of Evil by Charles Baudelaire
  • What is prose poetry?
  • Interesting features of the Sonnets (Shakespeare)
  • Allen Ginsberg’s influence on poetry
  • Allusions in modern poetry.

Eastern Literature

Eastern literature has some unique traits that you won’t find anywhere else. If you are intrigued about this and want to write about Eastern literature, pick one of the topics below:

  • A biography of Khalil Gibran.
  • Discuss peculiarities of Jewish literature.
  • Turkish literary devices.
  • Motifs in Aladdin.
  • Daoism philosophy in Chinese works.
  • Compare Arabic and Chinese poetry.

Need More Help?

We know that some students want even more interesting topics. Or perhaps you want some complex topics that will surprise your professor. Our writers are here to help you with anything you need. We can send you another list of literary research paper topics in no time. Each and every topic will be original, so you can safely use any of them without having to worry about plagiarizing anything.

In addition to literature research topics, we can help you with all sorts of writing, editing and proofreading services. Our experienced academic paper writers have written thousands of academic papers in any format and on any topic you can imagine. We have the skills and the experience to help you find complex literary topics for research paper and write an essay that will get you the A+ you need.

history research paper topics

We use cookies to enhance our website for you. Proceed if you agree to this policy or learn more about it.

  • Essay Writer Service >
  • Topic Collections

120 Fresh and Thought-Provoking Topics for Literature Reviews in Different Disciplines

A literature review is an account of the scholarly works published on a topic. It is different from an annotated bibliography – and far more interesting at that. Instead of being just a list of summaries, a literature review synthesizes the information from all available sources in an overall relationship to your guiding concept. This may be the problem you are discussing, a statement you are arguing, a theory you are verifying, etc.

The goals of a literature review may vary:

  • giving a historical overview of the research in the field
  • summarizing the existing state of the topic
  • finding a problem or a gap in the research field
  • developing a new theory, etc.

That is why good literature review topics are often formulated as research questions. This type of paper is not an easy writing. You will need to parse immense volumes of information, synthesize and summarize coherently. You also need to devote plenty of time to reading.

This post contains a list of literature review topics suggested for various subjects. However, when choosing the most fitting one to dig into, ask yourself, what are the passions that you can apply to this research? This assignment will take a while, so you will need more than just a good study discipline to soldier on. A bit of enthusiasm and intrinsic motivation will get you much farther.

Literature Review Topics Examples on English and World Literature

Some of the suggestions in this post are linked to literature review examples in our free database. By clicking on a title, you get to a corresponding sample page, where you can read the entire text. If the topic you like isn't linked, but you would like to read an example, you can order it. We will arrange the most qualified paper writer to prepare it for you exclusively.

Ready? Let's start with topics for literature review papers on English and World Literature.

  • Phoenix as a symbol for endurance in a worn path
  • The novel Intuition by Allegra Goodman
  • Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Birthmark through Girard's Lens
  • Ender's Game by an Orson Scott Card
  • Depiction of freedom and happiness in Brave New World
  • Feminism and Post-Colonialism in Margaret Atwood's Oryx and Crake and Suzanne Collins's The Hunger Games
  • Rationality, logic, and mathematics in the novel The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time
  • Victims of their time as a character type in the World literature
  • The last days of Judas Iscariot : a play by Stephen Adly Guirgis
  • The use of symbolism in Kafka's prose
  • Naturalism in American literature
  • Grotesque and Sublime in the prose of Edgar Allan Poe

Lit Review Topic Ideas on Science and Technology

Next are some literature review topic ideas on science and technology.

  • Electronic library and effects of its implementation
  • Benjamin Franklin: scientist and inventor
  • Virtual Reality, science fiction, and society today
  • Science, Technology, and Society as a field of knowledge
  • Frederick Winslow Taylor and the principles of scientific management
  • What is the future of work
  • Concepts of science and technology
  • The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis and influence of technological advancement on man and nature
  • Types of machine learning
  • Internet of Things and biometrics: implications, benefits, threats
  • Emotional intelligence and natural language processing
  • SmartCity projects that have already been implemented and their lessons

As the field is vast, we can barely scratch the surface with these suggestions. To help you with brainstorming, here are a few tips on how to choose good topics for a literature review yourself:

  • Make sure the topic ties nicely with class requirements as well as your interests
  • Do some preliminary research to see if there is enough literature on your topic
  • Scale up if the information is scarce or down if there are too many sources to handle
  • Use sources recommended for reading in the class materials
  • Supplement the list with only trustworthy scholarly sources

Follow these guidelines, and you are on a path to some great ideas!

Psychology Literature Review Topics

When brainstorming topics on psychology, don't forget about the subdisciplines: biopsychology, social, educational, organizational, etc. If the suggestions below won't be enough, try looking for inspiration in Biology, Sociology, Education, or Business. The most exciting topics are often at the intersection of different areas of knowledge!

  • Tricyclic antidepressants vs. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) in treatment of depression
  • Stress, its causes, effects, and coping strategies
  • The family system and psychology
  • Tibetan compassion practices: working with terror, trauma, and transcendence
  • Behaviorism psychology
  • Culture and psychopathology
  • Correlation between diet and cognitive functions in primary school students
  • The evolutionary role of phobias and intrusive thoughts
  • Popular psychology and its implications
  • PTSD in mass disasters survivors: immediate relief and long-term assistance
  • Cults and vulnerable populations
  • False memories and gaslighting

Nursing Literature Review Topics

Nursing lit review topics are probably the most diverse in scale, as you can see from the examples below. They can describe a larger issue or a concrete solution applied to a narrowly defined problem. Following this principle, you can modify our lit review topics suggestions zooming out or in on the subject material.

  • Legalization of medical marijuana and its effects on the youth
  • Health effects of fiber: research findings
  • Achieving higher levels of education and training for nurses
  • Organic foods and cardiovascular disease
  • The importance of Central Venous Line (CVL) and Central Venous Access Devices (CVAD)
  • What effects do different types of music have on humans and their mental health?
  • The use of laboratory-grown organs for transplantation
  • The role of xylitol in alleviating dry mouth
  • The detection of tar and nicotine content of cigarette smoke extract using HPLC
  • Rheumatoid arthritis: etiology, diagnosis, vulnerable populations
  • Mobility aids for the elderly and quality of life
  • The role of play in the recuperation of hospitalized children

Education Literature Review Topics

To get more ideas from these literature review topic examples, try isolating an issue and put it in another educational context. For instance, student motivation in primary school vs. middle school or sleep deprivation in high school vs. college. This should give you plenty of material for brainstorming.

  • Simulation education for crisis prevention program
  • A critical consideration of the new pedagogy in its relation to modern science
  • Lack of students interest in studying science
  • Discovery-based learning and student-centered learning with a focus on mathematics at a high school level
  • The adverse effects of sleep deprivation on academic performance: a college student's struggle
  • Gender bias in special education programs
  • Higher education for senior citizens: challenges and best practices
  • Significant challenges of the teaching profession in the US
  • Factors contributing to international student mobility
  • Student motivation in private vs. state colleges
  • Benefits and challenges of homeschooling for students and families
  • Correlation between workload, stress levels, and self-esteem in middle-school students

Sociology Literature Review Topics

The best advice on finding current sociology topics is to look at the challenges your community faces. Become the first one to notice and address these issues!

  • Are video games affecting our current and future students ?
  • Ways to prevent social media bullying
  • Spanking of children in the USA
  • The relation of poverty and exposure to crime in adolescent men
  • Transgender discrimination
  • The link between science and Utopia in Utopia and the New Atlantis
  • Effectiveness of group therapy in social work
  • Peer pressure, depression, and causes of suicide in the adolescents
  • Religious separatism social issues connected with it
  • Causes and effects of domestic abuse
  • Physical appearance and social status
  • Race, nationality, ethnicity, and identity

Political Science Literature Review Topics

Political science is one of the more formal disciplines on this list. Being heavy with abstract concepts, it doesn't lend itself easily to casual brainstorming. Well, at least start with these:

  • Electoral College, its functions, and role in public life
  • Why American and the British IPE are so different
  • Contingency planning
  • Effects of political gerrymandering
  • American political parties
  • The present urban regimes in Canada
  • International policies and domestic regulations: precedence and clashes
  • Tolerance as a political virtue
  • Grassroots activism and its impact on state and federal law
  • National security and constitutional freedoms
  • Historical analysis of anarchism
  • The effect of social media on civic engagement

Criminal Justice Literature Review Topics

Criminal justice is a complex field. It's ripe with variance and challenges – which is good for topic ideas at least. And you have state, federal, and international levels to add more variables.

  • Juvenile justice and the Missouri model
  • Car-related crime in the USA
  • An analysis of the impact of sexual harassment/sexual assault in the military
  • The process of the arbitration without the involvement of national courts
  • Serial killers and profiling
  • Policing and criminal justice systems
  • Psychological effects of cyberbullying on adolescents
  • Sexual human trafficking from the Central America region
  • Human sex-trafficking: the Canadian perspective
  • Gender and racial bias in criminal investigations
  • Possible ethical and legal dilemmas of using sniffer dogs
  • Sting operations vs. entrapment: ethics and regulations

Chemistry and Biology Literature Review Topics

Biology is fascinating. It has something for everyone: from biochemistry and genetics to ecosystems and nature preservation. Here are some suggestions to guide your choice:

  • Brain size correlation
  • Haruko Obokata, ethics of stem cells research, and scientific misconduct
  • Genomic and molecular genetics major and its perspectives for students
  • DNA use in mass disasters
  • DNA detection from dried blood spots
  • Captive breeding of marine mammals: pros and cons
  • The Dynamics of ER and mitochondria
  • Biomarkers in gastric cancer treatment
  • The chemistry behind gene splicing
  • Carcinogens and hyper-processed foods
  • Primates and monkeys as potential sources of novel zoonotic infections
  • Natural gases, ecosystems, and the global warming

Business and Marketing Literature Review Topics

Finally, here are some business and marketing topics as well. These disciplines might be relatively new, but they are among the most dynamic and information-rich – which means great fun to explore.

  • Effectiveness of neuromarketing in comparison to traditional marketing methods
  • Green supply chain management
  • Effectiveness of e-marketing to non-profit making organizations
  • The value of information
  • Shareholder engagement/activism and corporate performance
  • The relationship between ethics, stress, and productivity in the workplace
  • The role of integrity in business
  • Client confidentiality and its role in a prosperous business
  • Businesses, their impact on the community, and social responsibility
  • Startup fundraising stages
  • Innovative marketing in the age of instant feedback: risks and possibilities
  • Strategies for staff motivation

Jana Rooheart

Jana Rooheart

Jana Rooheart came to WOWESSAYS™ with a mission to put together and then slice and dice our vast practical experience in crafting all kinds of academic papers. Jana is an aspired blogger with rich expertise in psychology, digital learning tools, and creative writing. In this blog, she willingly shares tricks of pencraft and mind-altering ideas about academic writing any student will find utterly beneficial.

Share with friends using:

double-banner

275 words = 1 page double-spaced

Looking for essays to inspire you? We have samples of all types on any topic under the sun!

Other pages.

  • Teacher Book Reviews
  • Coordinator Term Papers
  • Bunch Term Papers
  • Attendant Term Papers
  • Drill Term Papers
  • Acre Term Papers
  • Deposition Term Papers
  • Nexus Term Papers
  • Businessman Term Papers
  • Abdomen Term Papers
  • How Microcredit Help Poor People Term Paper Example
  • Online Dating Or Conventional Dating Essay Examples
  • Article Review On Also As Would Be Obvious To Any Researcher Of Diplomacy Use Of Force And Diplomacy
  • African Slave Trade Essay Examples
  • Free Research Paper On Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
  • Outliers Analysis Essays Examples
  • Free Essay About Definition Of Student
  • Project Management Case Study Essay Sample
  • Free Smartphone Essay Sample
  • Models Of Organizational Change Research Paper Examples
  • Free Portraits Of Reconciliation Course Work Sample
  • Good Legal Principles Case Study Example
  • Good Example Of Essay On The Benefits Of College Education To Students
  • Term Paper On Comprehensive Article Review
  • Sex In The 21sr Century Media Essay Samples
  • Hard Rock Case Studies Example
  • Free Critical Thinking On Shared Decision Making
  • Great Barrington Essays
  • Manuel Zelaya Essays
  • Charles Taylor Essays
  • Eliza Essays
  • You Tube Essays
  • Grammy Essays
  • National Health Insurance Essays
  • Phillips Curve Essays
  • Strategic Importance Essays
  • Decision Support Systems Essays
  • Natalie Essays
  • Alessi Essays
  • Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs Essays
  • Okonkwo Essays
  • Impacting Essays
  • Pullman Company Essays

Password recovery email has been sent to [email protected]

Use your new password to log in

You are not register!

By clicking Register, you agree to our Terms of Service and that you have read our Privacy Policy .

Now you can download documents directly to your device!

Check your email! An email with your password has already been sent to you! Now you can download documents directly to your device.

or Use the QR code to Save this Paper to Your Phone

The sample is NOT original!

Short on a deadline?

Don't waste time. Get help with 11% off using code - GETWOWED

No, thanks! I'm fine with missing my deadline

American Literature Research Paper Topics

Academic Writing Service

This article provides a comprehensive guide to American literature research paper topics , showcasing the depth and diversity of the literary landscape in the United States. From colonial beginnings to contemporary voices, American literature offers a rich tapestry of stories, themes, and perspectives. For students diving into this vast field, choosing the right topic is crucial. This guide not only lists an array of potential American literature research paper topics but also delves into the evolution of American literary movements, offers practical advice for topic selection, and gives tips on how to craft a compelling paper. Additionally, with iResearchNet’s expert writing services, students are equipped with professional resources to ensure their research endeavors are a success.

100 American Literature Research Paper Topics

American literature, a vast and diverse field, encompasses a range of themes, styles, and epochs. From the colonial tales of the early settlers to the modern narratives of the 21st century, the U.S. literary canvas is as broad as the country’s history. This comprehensive list offers a variety of American literature research paper topics divided into ten distinct categories, ensuring that every student can find a theme that resonates with their interests and academic goals.

Academic Writing, Editing, Proofreading, And Problem Solving Services

Get 10% off with 24start discount code.

I. Colonial and Early American Literature

  • The religious undertones in the works of Anne Bradstreet.
  • Exploring captivity narratives: Mary Rowlandson’s “A Narrative of the Captivity.”
  • Jonathan Edwards and the rhetoric of the Great Awakening.
  • The role of nature in early American literature.
  • Benjamin Franklin’s “Autobiography”: A study in self-fashioning.
  • The evolution of the American Dream in early American writings.
  • The emergence of American Gothic: Charles Brockden Brown’s “Wieland.”
  • Slavery narratives: Comparing Frederick Douglass and Harriet Jacobs.
  • The role of women in colonial American literature.
  • Native American oral traditions and their influence on early colonial writings.

II. Romanticism and the American Renaissance

  • Washington Irving and the creation of American myths.
  • Edgar Allan Poe: The master of American Gothic.
  • Transcendentalism: The philosophies of Emerson and Thoreau.
  • Herman Melville’s “Moby-Dick”: An exploration of good vs. evil.
  • Nathaniel Hawthorne’s exploration of Puritanical guilt in “The Scarlet Letter.”
  • Walt Whitman’s “Leaves of Grass” and the birth of free verse.
  • Emily Dickinson: A recluse’s perspective on society and nature.
  • The frontier in James Fenimore Cooper’s Leatherstocking Tales.
  • Gothic elements in the works of Louisa May Alcott.
  • Dark romanticism: A comparative study of Poe, Hawthorne, and Melville.

III. Realism and Naturalism

  • Mark Twain and the critique of American society in “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.”
  • Henry James and the art of psychological realism.
  • The portrayal of urban life in Stephen Crane’s works.
  • Edith Wharton’s critique of the Gilded Age in “The Age of Innocence.”
  • The conflict of man versus nature in Jack London’s writings.
  • The influence of Darwinism on American naturalist writers.
  • Kate Chopin and the awakening of female sexuality.
  • The immigrant experience in Upton Sinclair’s “The Jungle.”
  • The rise of regionalism: Willa Cather and the American Midwest.
  • Theodore Dreiser’s “An American Tragedy” and the dark side of the American Dream.

IV. The Harlem Renaissance

  • Langston Hughes and the jazz poetry movement.
  • Zora Neale Hurston’s exploration of black folklore in “Their Eyes Were Watching God.”
  • Claude McKay and the politics of race in America.
  • Jean Toomer’s “Cane”: A mosaic of African American life.
  • The influence of jazz and blues on Harlem Renaissance literature.
  • The role of magazines and journals in promoting African American voices.
  • Nella Larsen’s exploration of racial identity in “Passing.”
  • Alain Locke’s “The New Negro” and the redefinition of African American identity.
  • Gender and sexuality in the works of Wallace Thurman.
  • The intersection of visual arts and literature during the Harlem Renaissance.

V. Modernism

  • F. Scott Fitzgerald and the disillusionment of the Jazz Age.
  • Ernest Hemingway’s narrative style and the “Lost Generation.”
  • Gertrude Stein and the avant-garde literary scene.
  • T.S. Eliot’s “The Waste Land” and the fragmentation of modern society.
  • The influence of World War I on American modernist writers.
  • John Dos Passos and the critique of capitalism in “The U.S.A. Trilogy.”
  • William Faulkner’s innovative narrative techniques.
  • The works of E.E. Cummings and the break from traditional poetic forms.
  • The influence of expatriation on American modernist literature.
  • Djuna Barnes and the exploration of sexuality in “Nightwood.”

VI. The Beat Generation

  • Jack Kerouac’s “On the Road”: Defining the Beat ethos.
  • Allen Ginsberg’s “Howl”: A protest against conformity and consumerism.
  • William S. Burroughs’ “Naked Lunch” and its critique of post-war America.
  • The role of jazz and drug culture in the Beat literary movement.
  • The Beat Generation and their relationship with Eastern spirituality.
  • Female voices in the Beat movement: Diane di Prima and Joanne Kyger.
  • The legacy of Neal Cassady: From muse to writer.
  • The impact of San Francisco Renaissance on the Beats.
  • The Beats and their dissection of the American Dream.
  • The global travels of the Beat Generation and their reflections in literature.

VII. Postmodernism

  • Thomas Pynchon and the entropic vision of “Gravity’s Rainbow.”
  • Kurt Vonnegut’s “Slaughterhouse-Five”: War, time, and metafiction.
  • Metafiction and historiographic metafiction in works by John Barth.
  • The detective novel reimagined: Paul Auster’s “City of Glass.”
  • Toni Morrison’s “Beloved” and the haunting of history.
  • Don DeLillo’s “White Noise” and the fear of death in postmodern society.
  • Paranoia and conspiracy in Robert Coover’s novels.
  • Postcolonial critique in Salman Rushdie’s “The Satanic Verses.”
  • The consumerist dystopia in Bret Easton Ellis’s “American Psycho.”
  • Maximalism in David Foster Wallace’s “Infinite Jest.”

VIII. Contemporary American Literature

  • Identity and multiculturalism in Jhumpa Lahiri’s “The Namesake.”
  • The post-9/11 American psyche in novels by Jonathan Safran Foer.
  • Magical realism and the immigrant experience in Junot Diaz’s “The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao.”
  • The reimagining of the American West in Annie Proulx’s works.
  • Technology and isolation in Dave Eggers’ “The Circle.”
  • The deconstruction of the family narrative in Jonathan Franzen’s “The Corrections.”
  • The changing American South in the works of Jesmyn Ward.
  • Dystopian futures in Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “The Testaments.”
  • Coming-of-age in the digital age: Sally Rooney’s novels.
  • The clash of cultures in Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s “Americanah.”

IX. Literature of the American Frontier and West

  • The myth versus reality of the Wild West in Owen Wister’s “The Virginian.”
  • Cormac McCarthy’s “Blood Meridian” and the brutality of westward expansion.
  • The legacy of frontier humor in Mark Twain’s early works.
  • Women’s perspectives on the frontier: Willa Cather’s “O Pioneers!”
  • Native American voices and the frontier: N. Scott Momaday’s “House Made of Dawn.”
  • The environmental ethics of the American West in Edward Abbey’s “Desert Solitaire.”
  • Revisionist Westerns: Larry McMurtry’s “Lonesome Dove.”
  • Exploration of masculinity and the mythic West in Sam Shepard’s plays.
  • The Gold Rush in American literature: Joaquin Miller’s poetic works.
  • The Asian American experience in the Old West: Sui Sin Far’s stories.

X. Science Fiction and Dystopian Literature

  • The socio-political critiques in Philip K. Dick’s novels.
  • Isaac Asimov’s “Foundation” series and the fall of the American empire.
  • The fear of otherness in Robert A. Heinlein’s “Stranger in a Strange Land.”
  • Environmental collapse in Octavia E. Butler’s “Parable” series.
  • Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451” and the danger of censorship.
  • The commercialization of society in Frederik Pohl’s “The Space Merchants.”
  • Feminism and gender in Ursula K. Le Guin’s “The Left Hand of Darkness.”
  • The evolution of the post-apocalyptic narrative in American science fiction.
  • The role of technology and artificial intelligence in contemporary American science fiction.
  • The resurgence of dystopian literature in the 21st century: Suzanne Collins’ “The Hunger Games” series.

American literature, shaped by history, society, and diverse voices, offers a plethora of research topics. Whether students wish to delve deep into a specific era or explore overarching themes across epochs, this list provides a starting point. Armed with these American literature research paper topics, scholars can embark on an enlightening journey through the annals of American literature, discovering insights that not only illuminate the texts but also reflect the nation’s evolving identity.

American Literature and the Range of Topics It Offers

American literature, as vast and varied as the landscape of the country itself, encapsulates the spirit, dreams, and dilemmas of its people over centuries. From the indigenous narratives of pre-colonial America to the postmodernist critiques of the late 20th century, the literary output of the United States mirrors the sociopolitical changes, cultural shifts, and individual narratives that have shaped its history.

Colonial and Early American literature, for instance, grapple with themes of discovery, colonization, and the quest for identity in a new world. Authors like Anne Bradstreet and Jonathan Edwards exemplify this era’s struggles and spiritual yearnings. Their works lay the foundation for the Romantic period that followed, characterized by the writings of Edgar Allan Poe, Washington Irving, and Nathaniel Hawthorne. These authors delved deep into the human psyche, often highlighting the dualities of human nature and the looming American wilderness.

The transcendentalist movement, spearheaded by figures like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, presented a unique take on individuality, nature, and spirituality. Their perspectives provided a stark contrast to the realist and naturalist writers of the late 19th century, who, influenced by Darwinism and the Industrial Revolution, presented a grittier, more deterministic view of the human experience.

The 20th century ushered in a literary renaissance, with the Harlem Renaissance leading the charge. This era, defined by writers like Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, and Claude McKay, not only redefined African American literature but also laid the groundwork for successive generations of writers to explore themes of racial identity, inequality, and heritage.

American literature’s vast scope is further broadened by the Beat Generation, Postmodernists, and contemporary writers, each adding layers of complexity and depth to this already multifaceted literary tradition. The Beats, with their unorthodox lifestyles and candid explorations of sexuality, spirituality, and societal rebellion, paved the way for postmodernists to break literary conventions and question the very nature of narrative and authorship.

In the contemporary realm, the literary landscape is even more diverse, with authors from various backgrounds addressing issues such as immigration, gender identity, technology, and globalization.

Considering the vastness and depth of American literature, the range of potential American literature research paper topics is immense. Whether analyzing a specific author’s style, comparing literary movements, or delving into the socio-political implications of a particular work, students have a plethora of avenues to explore. The beauty of American literature lies not just in its rich tapestry of stories but also in the endless academic inquiries it sparks.

The American literary canon, forever expanding and evolving, stands as an open invitation for scholars, students, and readers alike to delve in, explore, and contribute to the ongoing conversation. The American literature research paper topics presented earlier merely scratch the surface of what’s possible, offering a starting point for those eager to embark on their own literary journey through the annals of American literature.

How to Choose an American Literature Research Paper Topic

The process of selecting American literature research paper topics can be both exciting and daunting. The vast expanse of literary works, spanning from the earliest colonial narratives to the contemporary experimental pieces, offers a plethora of subjects to dive into. However, choosing the right topic is crucial not only for academic success but also for maintaining personal interest throughout the research process. Here’s a comprehensive guide to assist you in making an informed choice:

  • Start with Personal Interest: Your enthusiasm for a particular era, author, or theme can drive the quality of your research. Always consider what genuinely intrigues you about American literature. Is it the Harlem Renaissance, the transcendentalist movement, or the postmodern era?
  • Read Widely: Before settling on a topic, immerse yourself in a variety of texts. By exploring a wide range of works, you might discover a previously unconsidered area of interest or identify gaps in existing research.
  • Historical Context Matters: The socio-political backdrop against which a literary work was produced often deeply influences its content and themes. Understanding this context can provide richer layers of meaning to your research.
  • Consider Genre and Form: Instead of focusing solely on an author or era, consider diving into specific literary forms – poetry, short stories, novels, plays – or genres like Gothic, mystery, or magical realism within American literature.
  • Check Availability of Resources: It’s essential to ensure that adequate resources – primary texts, scholarly articles, critiques – are available on your chosen topic. Conduct preliminary research to gauge this.
  • Consult Professors or Mentors: Engage in discussions with your professors or academic mentors. Their insights, based on years of experience and study, can guide you toward a promising research area or warn you about potential pitfalls.
  • Evaluate Scope: Ensure that your chosen topic is neither too broad nor too narrow. A topic that’s too expansive can be overwhelming, while an overly specific subject might lack substantial content for a comprehensive paper.
  • Interdisciplinary Approaches: Consider merging literary analysis with insights from fields like sociology, psychology, or history. For instance, you could study the portrayal of mental illness in American literature through both a literary and psychological lens.
  • Stay Updated with Recent Scholarship: Literary interpretations evolve over time. Ensure you’re familiar with the latest scholarly discussions surrounding your topic. This can help refine your thesis and approach.
  • Relevance and Contribution: Ask yourself how your research will contribute to the existing body of knowledge. Aiming for a fresh perspective or a unique interpretation can make your work stand out.

Choosing a topic for a research paper in American literature is a journey of discovery. It’s about finding the right balance between personal interest, academic relevance, and the potential contribution to the field. Remember, the process of research and writing should be as rewarding as the final product. By carefully selecting your topic, you set the stage for a fulfilling academic endeavor.

How to Write an American Literature Research Paper

Delving into the world of American literature is like embarking on a thrilling journey across time, cultures, and ideologies. From the early Native American oral traditions to the cutting-edge contemporary narratives, the literary landscape of America offers a vast terrain to explore and analyze. Writing a research paper on such a subject is not just about summarizing texts, but about adding to the discourse. Here’s a detailed guide to help you craft a compelling and insightful research paper on American literature:

Your research paper journey begins with a strong introduction. This is your chance to captivate your reader’s interest, provide some background on your topic, and present your thesis statement.

  • Choose a Strong Thesis: A clear, concise, and debatable thesis is the backbone of your research paper. Ensure it provides a fresh perspective or a unique angle on your chosen topic.
  • Research Thoroughly: Dive deep into primary sources (novels, poems, plays, etc.) and secondary sources (critiques, essays, and scholarly papers). Libraries, academic databases, and online literary journals are invaluable resources.
  • Develop a Structured Outline: Before diving into writing, chalk out an outline. This ensures a logical flow to your arguments and helps in organizing your thoughts systematically.
  • Maintain a Critical Perspective: While it’s essential to understand various interpretations, always maintain a critical lens. Challenge existing viewpoints, draw your conclusions, and support them with evidence.
  • Incorporate Quotes Wisely: Direct quotes from literary works can bolster your arguments. However, use them judiciously. Ensure they serve a purpose in your narrative and always provide proper citations.
  • Understand Literary Devices: Having a firm grasp of literary devices like allegory, symbolism, or irony will enhance your analysis. Highlight where authors have employed these tools and discuss their significance.
  • Historical and Cultural Context: American literature cannot be detached from its historical and cultural backdrop. Embed your analysis within this context, offering a richer and more nuanced understanding.
  • Stay Objective: While personal interpretations are vital, ensure your arguments remain objective. Avoid overly emotional or biased language.
  • Revise and Edit: Once your initial draft is ready, take a break before revising. Fresh eyes can spot inconsistencies, redundancies, or errors. Check for clarity, coherence, and overall flow. Grammar, punctuation, and syntax should be impeccable.
  • Properly Format and Cite: Adhere to the specified format, whether it’s APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, or Harvard. Properly cite all your sources to avoid plagiarism. Utilize tools or software that can help streamline this process.

Wrap up your research paper by reiterating your main arguments and thesis. Highlight the significance of your findings and hint at potential areas for future research. Writing an American literature research paper is a rigorous but rewarding process. It demands diligence, critical thinking, and a deep appreciation for the literary arts. Remember, it’s not just about presenting facts but weaving a story that adds value to the existing body of knowledge. With dedication and passion, you’ll not only craft an impactful research paper but also deepen your connection with the rich tapestry of American literature.

iResearchNet Writing Services

In the dynamic world of academics, having a reliable partner to guide you through the intricate maze of research and writing is invaluable. iResearchNet emerges as that indispensable ally for students venturing into the vast expanse of American literature. Offering a tailored approach to your research paper needs, here’s a deep dive into the multitude of features that make iResearchNet the go-to destination for discerning literature students. Every literary masterpiece has a memorable beginning, and so does every outstanding research paper. iResearchNet ensures that your American literature research paper starts with a bang, capturing attention and setting the tone for the ensuing academic brilliance.

  • Expert Degree-Holding Writers: With a dedicated team of writers who not only hold advanced degrees but also have a deep passion for American literature, iResearchNet ensures that your research paper is both academically rigorous and creatively engaging.
  • Custom Written Works: Every student is unique, and so is their perspective. iResearchNet prides itself on delivering 100% original content, tailor-made to resonate with your unique viewpoint and academic requirements.
  • In-Depth Research: The cornerstone of an impactful research paper is exhaustive research. Our team delves deep into countless primary and secondary sources to ensure a comprehensive and insightful exploration of your chosen topic.
  • Custom Formatting: Whether it’s APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, or Harvard, our experts are well-versed in all major formatting styles, ensuring that your paper adheres to the stringent guidelines of academic writing.
  • Top Quality: Compromising on quality is not in our lexicon. Every research paper undergoes a multi-layered review process, ensuring impeccable language, robust arguments, and flawless presentation.
  • Customized Solutions: We recognize the diverse needs of our clientele. Whether you need a comparative analysis, thematic exploration, or a character study, our team crafts solutions aligned with your specific requirements.
  • Flexible Pricing: iResearchNet believes in offering unparalleled quality without breaking the bank. Our pricing structure is designed to be student-friendly, ensuring top-notch services without undue financial strain.
  • Short Deadlines: Pressed for time? With our express services, even the tightest deadlines won’t pose a challenge. Our dedicated team ensures timely delivery without compromising on quality.
  • Timely Delivery: Adherence to deadlines is sacrosanct at iResearchNet. We recognize the importance of time in academic pursuits and ensure prompt delivery every single time.
  • 24/7 Support: Questions, concerns, or last-minute modifications? Our customer support is available round the clock, ensuring seamless communication and timely resolution.
  • Absolute Privacy: Your trust is our utmost priority. All personal and academic details are safeguarded with the highest level of encryption, ensuring complete confidentiality.
  • Easy Order Tracking: With our intuitive portal, you can easily track the progress of your research paper, ensuring transparency and peace of mind.
  • Money Back Guarantee: At iResearchNet, we stand by the quality of our services. However, if for some reason you’re not satisfied, our money-back guarantee ensures that your investment is protected.

Navigating the world of American literature is a daunting task, but with iResearchNet by your side, it becomes an enriching experience. Offering a perfect blend of academic rigor and creative flair, our services ensure that your research paper stands out, reflecting not just the vastness of American literature but also your unique perspective. Join hands with iResearchNet and transform your academic journey into a memorable literary adventure.

Dive into the Vast Landscape of American Literature with iResearchNet

Embrace the American Dream with Words

From the raw, unfiltered brilliance of Mark Twain to the contemporary musings of Toni Morrison, American literature is a vast and varied landscape, teeming with stories that capture the essence of the American spirit. As a student, exploring this diverse tapestry offers both challenges and opportunities. With iResearchNet, you’re not just writing a research paper; you’re embarking on a journey through time, space, and human emotion.

Customized Assistance for Every Literary Era

Whether you’re captivated by the Romantic Period or intrigued by the Harlem Renaissance, iResearchNet’s seasoned writers are here to illuminate the path. Our experts, who are well-versed in every era and genre of American literature, provide insights, analysis, and guidance tailored to your specific needs.

Unparalleled Quality, Boundless Possibilities

Quality is not just a benchmark but a promise at iResearchNet. By partnering with us, you’re assured of papers that not only meet but exceed academic standards. More than that, our commitment is to help you see beyond the assignment, fostering a deeper appreciation and understanding of the literary works and their contexts.

Your Literary Adventure Awaits

Don’t let the vastness of American literature daunt you. With iResearchNet, every research paper becomes an adventure, every page a discovery. Join us in this exciting exploration. Click here and let iResearchNet be your compass in the enthralling world of American literature. Your literary odyssey awaits!

ORDER HIGH QUALITY CUSTOM PAPER

literature research topics ideas

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock Locked padlock icon ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

  • Publications
  • Account settings
  • Advanced Search
  • Journal List

Elsevier - PMC COVID-19 Collection logo

Mindfulness and creativity: Implications for thinking and learning

Danah henriksen, carmen richardson.

  • Author information
  • Article notes
  • Copyright and License information

Corresponding author at: Arizona State University, Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, United States.

Received 2019 Dec 20; Revised 2020 Jun 6; Accepted 2020 Jul 22; Issue date 2020 Sep.

Since January 2020 Elsevier has created a COVID-19 resource centre with free information in English and Mandarin on the novel coronavirus COVID-19. The COVID-19 resource centre is hosted on Elsevier Connect, the company's public news and information website. Elsevier hereby grants permission to make all its COVID-19-related research that is available on the COVID-19 resource centre - including this research content - immediately available in PubMed Central and other publicly funded repositories, such as the WHO COVID database with rights for unrestricted research re-use and analyses in any form or by any means with acknowledgement of the original source. These permissions are granted for free by Elsevier for as long as the COVID-19 resource centre remains active.

This thematic literature review investigates the relationship between mindfulness and creativity

Mindfulness practices improve skills or habits of mind that can support creativity

The mindfulness-creativity relationship is complex, but generally positive

Deliberate/mindful mind-wandering can support creativity

Purposeful inclusion of mindfulness in learning settings can benefit student learning, creativity and wellbeing

Keywords: Teachers, Literature review, Mindfulness, Meditation, Learners, Creativity, Creative thinking, Mind-wandering

Mindfulness and creativity have both come to the forefront of educational interest—but a better understanding of their relationship and the implications for education is needed. This article reviews the literature on the intersection of these topics in order to understand where and how these two related but distinctive areas of research connect, and how this pertains to the complexity of education settings. Our goal is to understand findings from the literature and consider the implications for educational practice and research, with an eye to how mindfulness can be supportive to learners’ creativity. This thematic review and qualitative analysis of extant literature identifies four themes that speak to the connection between mindfulness and creativity. There is solid evidence to show a generally beneficial and supportive relationship, in that practicing mindfulness can support creativity—but many factors affect this and there are a range of considerations for practice. This article reflects on the key findings of scholarly work on the mindfulness-creativity relationship with interpretative discussion and implications for educational research and practice.

1. Introduction

Existing research on creativity has examined its different relationships, connections, or variables—such as personality skills, neuroscientific or cognitive correlates of creativity, disciplinary knowledge, imagination, bodily thinking, or the ways that creativity emerges in real-world design settings, among others ( Runco, 2014 ). One relatively recent and growing area of literature involves the relationship between mindfulness and creativity ( Kudesia, 2015 ). These two areas have been increasingly discussed in education settings, yet there is little research-based guidance to help consider their interrelationship for teaching and learning. Here, we explore the relationship, and also seek to explore the practical applications and implications for education contexts.

Mindfulness has recently received attention across scholarly and popular discourse ( King & Badham, 2018 ). It is defined as a state of “nonjudgmental, moment-to-moment awareness” ( Kabat-Zinn, 1990, p.2 ), and has been studied across varied disciplines such as psychology, physiology, healthcare, neuroscience, the arts, and others. Most mindfulness research has examined its potential to regulate stress and improve cognitive, emotional, and interpersonal functioning ( Sedlmeier et al., 2012 ). Scholars have suggested that the effects of mindfulness also relate to other skills and abilities, such as creativity ( Carson & Langer, 2006 ). Creativity is frequently defined as the ability to develop novel and effective ideas, artifacts, or solutions ( Runco, 2014 ). While this so-called ‘standard definition’ represents many existing research definitions, it does not embody the diversity and divergence of ways that creativity has been defined across a range of practices, disciplines and traditions ( Henriksen, Creely, & Henderson, 2019 ). Creativity is a complex area of research and practice, yet neoliberal perspectives have often driven educational discourse on creativity, emphasizing instrumentalist and societal drive toward innovation ( Mehta, Creely, & Henriksen, 2020 ). But perhaps more importantly, creativity is a way of being in the world with substantive value for human-centered wellbeing and expression ( Goff & Torrance, 1991 ).

Both mindfulness and creativity are complex areas that have been independently touted in education practices. Yet there is a need for a synthesis of extant research findings in understanding the mindfulness-creativity relationship and how it matters in learning settings. There is a theoretical reason for presuming an important relationship between them. These are broad ideas with unique connections to emotions, attention, stress, wellness, and awareness of one’s self and the world ( Baas, Nevicka, & Ten Velden, 2014 ). Given the importance both areas have to thinking and learning, and their increasing presence in educational contexts, it is important to understand research on their relationship.

For our purposes in this thematic literature review, we seek to identify themes and trends in the research, and then discuss the implications for educational settings. While mindfulness and creativity individually arise in education discourses, they are rarely linked and there is little to guide teachers in identifying research takeaways for the complexity of learning settings. Very little existing research on the intersection of these topics is actually embedded in classrooms—so we aim to distill significant aspects of the relationship and share implications for teachers and learners.

In a world awash in distraction, stress, and often, distress—all of which can affect creativity and wellbeing—mindfulness becomes a valuable consideration for supporting learners in educational practice. Particularly in light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, many teachers and learners are experiencing a sense of uncertainty, discomfort, or even trauma. While we do not suggest that mindfulness offers a “fix” for the kinds of systemic inequities or difficulties that many are facing—situations of stress or trauma underscore the value in paying attention to issues that relate to our sense of wellness and humanity, such as mindfulness and creativity.

We begin with background context about mindfulness, then we describe our literature review approach on the creativity-mindfulness relationship. We then qualitatively analyze and describe thematic findings and takeaways from this review. Finally, we discuss the implications for thinking and learning, with conclusions for educational practice and research.

1.1. Background on mindfulness

Mindfulness has roots in longstanding Eastern spiritual traditions, particularly Buddhist philosophy. Buddhist philosophy and practices teach a way of being present in the moment and letting go of the overreliance that humans tend to have on a sense of individualized identity (as a ‘thinker of thoughts’) in favor of a broader connection to a sense of oneness and integration with all things ( Shonin, Van Gordon, & Griffiths, 2014 ). However, Trammel (2017) notes that mindfulness has entered into secular practice and mainstream culture in recent decades. There has been valid concern about the ways in which the authenticity of Buddhist truths might be stripped of their original values through this mainstreaming of mindfulness. However, scholars such as Sun (2014) have noted that this secular recontextualization of mindfulness has supported the emergence of the concept for use in broader social contexts or organizations such as schools, where they can benefit wellbeing for learning. Williams and Kabat-Zinn (2011) suggest that since Buddhist meditative practices are concerned with embodied awareness and cultivating clarity, emotional balance, equanimity, and compassion—all of which can be developed by intentional deployment of attention—that “the roots of Buddhist meditation practices are de facto universal” (p. 1).

The work of Kabat-Zinn (1990) and his Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program (developed at University of Massachusetts Medical School) are partly responsible for bringing mindfulness to broader audiences, with intentional development of secular-based practices for health and wellbeing needs. Since then, many programs and studies have documented the physical and mental benefits of mindfulness, inspiring adaptations into schools, prisons, hospitals, veterans centers, and more.

The previously-noted definition of mindfulness can be elaborated as the ability to be fully present, and aware of where we are and what we are doing, without becoming overly reactive or overwhelmed by the present.. Mindfulness is often associated with meditation practices, aimed at building skills for present-moment awareness as a mental habit (e.g. just as physical exercise aims to make the body more healthy even beyond exercise sessions—meditation or mindfulness practices aim to cultivate healthy psychological awareness and wellbeing, beyond the practices themselves). Berkley’s Greater Good Science Center (n.d.) suggests, “Mindfulness means maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment, through a gentle, nurturing lens.” Despite the simple, intuitive nature of such definitions, achieving it is often not simple or intuitive.

O’Donnell (2015) suggests that mindfulness has gained widespread interest precisely because states of distraction, anxiety, suffering, and lack of connection are so common and detrimental. As society veers toward more chaotic, techno-centric, globally-connected and distracted modes, mindfulness offers an antidote to internalized unrest—particularly for learners who face ever expanding sources of difficulty from stress and distraction. The buzz of popular interest and excitement around the concept has increased, such that mindfulness appears ubiquitous, from healthcare or corporate settings, to schools and classrooms ( Shapiro, 2009 ).

Researchers have sought to study interventions related to different components of mindfulness, often through the central practice of meditation. Because meditation offers specific practices for awareness of one’s own thoughts, it provides an intervention to study the development and effects of mindful states, helping people connect with thoughts and emotions in the present moment ( Shapiro, 2009 ). Research has demonstrated that by developing awareness about one’s own mind and the present moment, people experience less anxiety, more positive emotions and engagement, and other mental and emotional benefits ( Weinstein, Brown, & Ryan, 2009 ). In becoming more aware of their thinking, learners in particular become more skilled at navigating thought processes in psychologically healthy ways ( Bennett & Dorjee, 2016 ). Importantly, it also connects to creative thinking skills ( Kudesia, 2015 ).

While creativity and mindfulness may work synergistically, the relationship is complex. Researchers and practitioners in educational contexts require a better sense of a nascent but growing body of literature to understand implications for the future of research and practice.

2. Methods for review

We explore scholarly literature at the intersection of mindfulness and creativity to understand how it relates to thinking and learning settings. This is a thematic literature review and our work is guided by the following questions:

What is the nature of the mindfulness-creativity relationship as outlined in existing research and literature?

Based on the literature on mindfulness and creativity, what are the implications for teaching and learning settings? And what takeaways and ideas can be used to inform educational practice?

2.1. Approach and rationale for review

A thematic literature review is not based around the progression of time in a body of work as a chronological review might be ( Yun, Lee, & Kim, 2019 ), nor does it describe the emergence of a body of work as a narrative review might ( Bower & Gilbody, 2005 ). Instead, a thematic review is organized based on topics, issues, ideas, or takeaways from within a relevant body of work ( Hart, 2018 ). Unlike meta-reviews or systematic reviews, such as the one conducted by Lebuda, Zabelina, and Karwowski (2016) , we do not aim to extract empirical data findings to quantify the relationship.

We elected a thematic approach for important reasons. Our purpose was to narrow the scope of inquiry and dive into a qualitative exploratory analysis of relevant work on creativity and mindfulness skills. Such an approach provides space to explore insights from literature and then consider how broader takeaways might be used to inform practice. A thematic review was also deemed most appropriate because extant literature on this topic is not fully representable as systematized data, constraining the ability to present literature as a quantified ‘dataset’ for empirical dissection ( Tranfield, Denyer, & Smart, 2003 ). Although high-quality, quantifiable studies do exist in this space [see Lebuda et al. (2016) ] we wished to consider a more open swath of literature, including not only quantitative, but also theoretical, practical or qualitative works that are not amenable to systematic analysis. To allow for a comprehensive stance toward relevant literature, our review is framed in an exploratory, thematic way. This allowed us to go deeper into varied stances to later use these in discussion of implications and applications. We also aimed to be methodical about our search processes, using review criteria/approach as described.

2.2. Criteria and process for literature search

The research we reviewed is situated mostly within psychology or education. Our sources of literature were primarily drawn from two main databases, those being: 1.) Science Direct , and 2.) Scopus —as these two databases comprise a significant swath of ‘mainstream’ research papers in English. Additionally, we performed a search of both Google and Google Scholar to ensure that nothing was missed in the primary research database searches and to identify any useful non-empirical pieces.

We began by identifying keywords and search terms, which we selected based on the scope of study and the literature; we then chose the search strings most appropriate for the study ( Charmaz, 2003 ). We were able to keep the search relatively straightforward by pairing keywords and terms that precisely defined one of four areas: ‘ mindfulness’ , ‘ meditation’ , ‘ creativity’, or ‘ creative thinking .’ This yielded articles or studies that specifically referenced the theory/terminology within the text ( Grant & Booth, 2009 ).

This initial scoping process produced copious results, many of which were outside the scope of our topics ( Paré & Kitsiou, 2016 ). Common search terms of “mindfulness” and/or “meditation” and “creativity” yielded hundreds, in some instances thousands, of articles. By narrowing the scope using database functions, to include only articles that used both key terms as foci in titles and/or abstracts, we were able to clarify and tighten the search. This makes sense, as inquiry-driven intersection of these constructs has mostly emerged within recent decades and is a comparatively small space in the larger arena of creativity research. We then sifted through articles to identify work exploring the relationship between the constructs.

Our review criteria were agnostic as to the types of sources included, and this article explores varied academic sources, including books, chapters, and peer-reviewed journal articles. However, peer-reviewed empirical journal articles encompass most of the sources reviewed, allowing us to focus on understanding the state of the field of research findings, without entirely excluding important ideas that emerged in other sources.

2.3. Approach to thematic analysis

To assess and distill the key ideas from the literature into useful takeaways, we sought to extract ideas/findings and categorize them into “meaning units” ( Moustakas, 1994 ). Therefore, we engaged in several rounds of collective thematic coding from the articles identified, using a shared digital space to collectively document key findings identified in every piece of literature used ( Saldaña, 2015 ).

We first familiarized ourselves with the ‘data,’ which in this case were the key ideas/findings in varied studies or papers ( Moustakas, 1994 ). Through shared discussions of meaning-making, we coded thematically, by looking across the findings for patterns of organization ( Braun & Clarke, 2006 ). This resulted in takeaways that were less specific than most thematic coding, because the documented findings tended to focus around several broad areas that categorized the research on mindfulness and creativity—such as the generally positive nature of the relationship, or the observed lack of applied research. Several iterations of organized coding brought us to four themes that emerged from the literature. These were driven by our stated questions and are shared in the findings and discussion.

2.4. Limitations

There are limitations in this work. First, we limited most of our examination to two databases, including Science Direct and Scopus, supplemented by peripheral searches of Google and Google Scholar as supplementary sources to check for additional work. Although these were selected because they are comprehensive sources of academic scholarship in English, encompassing most major and smaller journals that cover creativity research, there is still a limitation of scope.

Further, we would note that personal bias is always a potential issue in thematic review, and transparency is important. Our own interest in the topics as educational researchers could have influenced the process of analysis, as researchers naturally bring in their own preconceptions, assumptions or interests. Though we tried to minimize this effect through multiple rounds of reading and discussion, the possibility of bias influencing analysis exists.

3. Findings

We identified four broad thematic areas. The first theme describes how mindfulness enhances creativity. The second theme addresses the factors that complicate the nature of the relationship . The third theme addresses the relationship between mindfulness, mind-wandering and creativity ; and finally, the fourth theme concerns the need for more applied educational research on mindfulness and creativity . These are described in greater detail in the sections below.

3.1. Theme 1: mindfulness enhances creativity

Much literature suggests that the nature of the mindfulness-creativity relationship is positive and promising—in that mindfulness can enhance creativity. Research demonstrates that mindfulness improves a person’s ability to concentrate ( Sedlmeier et al., 2012 ), decreases the fear of being judged, and enhances open-minded thinking while reducing aversive self-conscious thinking ( Brown, Ryan, & Creswell, 2007 ). These points map directly onto key characteristics of creative habits of working, thinking, and being in the world, including: relaxation or flow states (improved concentration), risk-taking (requiring a lack of fear about judgment), and curiosity or open-mindedness/openness to experience (reducing self-conscious experience) ( Prabhu, Sutton, & Sauser, 2008 ). Logically, these effects suggest that mindfulness supports the skills associated with creativity, and research findings suggest that high levels of self-reported mindfulness correlate to creative practices ( Colzato, Szapora, & Hommel, 2012 ).

Many aspects of ‘trait mindfulness,’ or skills that are facilitated by mindfulness training, increase creativity. For example, mindfulness is associated with the ability to change perspectives by expanding empathy and open-mindedness ( Carson & Langer, 2006 ). It also increases a person’s capacity to respond to situations in a non-habitual fashion—which is at the crux of creativity ( Moore & Malinowski, 2009 ). Mindfulness training’s ability to reduce fear of judgment is conducive to creativity; as is its ability to improve working memory ( Chiesa, Calati, & Serretti, 2011 ). Specifically, experienced meditators are better problem solvers and have better verbal creativity ( Greenberg, Reiner, & Meiran, 2012 ). Jedrczak, Beresford, and Clements (1985)) found that meditation of any length strengthens creativity—even short meditation breaks. Thus, ontologically, mindfulness has the potential effect of improving or enhancing creativity by building skills or ways of being that support creativity. The ontological nature of the relationship show promise for educational settings where developing creativity is challenging. Anxiety, fear of risk or failure, and self-consciousness about one’s own thinking are often detrimental to classroom creativity—which opens up the possibility that mindfulness might offer practices that ameliorate barriers to learner’s creativity.

In their meta-review, Lebuda et al. (2016) hypothesized a positive relationship between mindfulness and creativity, wherein the former supports the latter. Their meta-analysis examined peer-reviewed, quantitative studies with direct measures of mindfulness and creativity—aiming to measure the relationship between the two and consider the role of moderators. Their study estimated the correlation between mindfulness and creativity at r = .22 (r = .18 without correction for attenuation). This suggests a significant correlation, with a small-to-medium effect size. Across all studies they found no evidence of publication bias, concluding that the estimation of the relationship is accurate and robust. This aligns with the proposed beneficial role of mindful meditation in creative thinking. The moderators included in their analysis clarify some important questions about the nature of this relationship. For instance, there were no differences between correlational and experimental studies—in both types of studies the effect size of the association was the same. This suggests not only a correlation between mindfulness and creativity, but more importantly reveals that developing mindfulness through meditation increases creativity—e.g. it goes beyond correlation into causation. This causal connection is something that educators and schools can potentially look to as they seek to address mounting calls to support students’ creativity, and as they also try to manage the socio-emotional needs of students in our tense and distractible society.

Despite this, varied kinds of moderators, such as the type of meditation practiced and the multifaceted character of mindfulness, create challenges in untangling the mindfulness creativity relationship ( Baas et al., 2014 ). The inherent complexity and emergent or experiential nature of both mindfulness and creativity could also be a confounding factor. Much like creativity, mindfulness is complex and involves different skills, such as: attention/observation, ability to act with awareness, capacity for nonjudgmental description, and ability to refrain from immediate evaluation. There is also no commonly agreed-upon mechanistic model of creative processes that could confirm how different types of meditations might affect such processes. All of this leaves educational practitioners with some foundations to work from in that mindfulness does seem to support creativity—but also some contested ground to navigate, in which the relationship can be nuanced by different contextual factors.

3.2. Theme 2: a relationship with complicating factors

Given the complexity of these areas it is not surprising that research also indicates a complicated relationship between the two. Different types of meditation (which are a vehicle for mindfulness) have differential relationships to creativity. Two of the main techniques discussed frequently in the literature on mindfulness include open-monitoring meditation and focused-attention meditation . Open-monitoring is the practice of observing and attending to any sensation or thought without focusing on any specific task or concept. Focused-attention meditation instead trains the participant to focus their attention and awareness to a particular task, item, thought or stimuli ( Colzato et al., 2012 ). These mindfulness skills can influence creativity differently. For example, while open-monitoring may increase creative thinking, some have found that focused-attention meditation may be either unrelated to creativity, or in certain instances may impede performance on creativity tests ( Zedelius & Schooler, 2015 ). For educators interested in facilitating a kind of mindfulness-supported creativity, that may leave questions as to which types of meditation to use in classrooms.

The Lebuda et al. (2016) meta-analysis noted that beyond the positive connection where mindfulness enhances creativity, there are areas of uncertainty. For instance, the Horan (2009) longitudinal study showed inconsistencies in the meditation-creativity relationship using the Torrance Test of Creative Thinking, a measure that distinguishes between verbal and figural dimensions of creativity. Specifically, groups practicing transcendental meditation showed significant gains in figural flexibility and originality, but no improvements in verbal creativity. This is interesting in teasing apart the relationship, however, it begs the question: To what degree would or should such individualized tests of creativity matter within the sociocultural dynamics of many learning settings?

Colzato et al. (2012) dissected the complexities by evaluating the impact of both types of meditation upon creativity tasks for either divergent or convergent thinking . Divergent thinking involves solving problems with many possible solutions—as opposed to convergent thinking, which involves solving problems with a more focused and narrowing approach. The researchers studied whether different types of meditation induce people toward particular cognitive-control states related to creativity. They hypothesized that open-monitoring meditation encourages divergent thinking and focused-attention meditation induces convergent thinking. Thus, open-monitoring meditation would be expected to improve divergent thinking but not convergent thinking (both of which were assessed by the AUT (Alternative Uses Task) creativity assessment).

Their data demonstrated that people excelled in the divergent thinking task after doing open-monitoring meditation. Although convergent thinking performance improved after focused-attention meditation, the increase was not significant. Interestingly, their measures of mood scores showed that both types of meditation elevated mood. Because elevated mood facilitates divergent rather than convergent thinking (elevated mood may even interfere with convergent thinking) mood effects might have been a confounding factor. In short, the focused-attention meditation may have improved convergent thinking, while the relaxing aspect of the procedure potentially could hamper it. Regardless, they identified a key mindfulness-creativity connection, showing the relationship between open-monitoring meditation and divergent thinking.

These findings point to some degree of nuance beyond the general assertion that mindfulness strengthens creativity. This suggests that if we are to seek more mindful creativity practices in schools, then it is important to consider what types of creative tasks or thinking might be called for in the given context, and consider what types of meditation practices might be beneficial.

3.3. Theme 3: mindfulness, mind-wandering and creativity

We have focused on the nature of the mindfulness-creativity relationship, which raises an important issue for this relationship—namely, mind-wandering. The relationship between mind-wandering to these areas is more uncertain and complicated than the relationship between mindfulness and creativity. Mind-wandering seemingly runs contrary to mindfulness, yet mind-wandering reliably correlates with creative thinking and creative achievement ( Baird et al., 2012 ). This is an issue for educators considering different facets of mindfulness practices, as it may affect creativity and related factors.

Mind-wandering is “a common everyday experience in which attention becomes disengaged from the immediate external environment and focused on internal trains of thought” ( Schooler et al. 2014, p. 1 ). It is differently important to both mindfulness and creativity. If mind-wandering is associated with getting lost in thought without realizing it—then mindfulness has an inverse purpose, bringing attention and awareness to thoughts in order to disentangle from them. Creativity has been positively associated with mind-wandering that stimulates novel ideas or fresh connections ( Baird et al., 2012 ).

Existing research points to a connection between mind-wandering and deficits in task performance or problems with task completion. However, mind-wandering may be beneficial in some areas, such as planning for the future, positive stimulation via interesting thoughts, and notably, creativity. Learners with ADHD often score higher on laboratory measures of creativity and assessments of creative arts achievement ( White & Shah, 2011 ), though they may struggle with some traditional tasks and outcomes of schooling.

Schooler et al. (2014) tested the mindfulness-creativity relationship directly, by assessing individual differences in mindfulness (via the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale or MAAS) as compared to measures of creative problem-solving performance (via the Remote Associates Test or RAT). They showed a negative correlation between mindfulness scores and RAT performance, and at first assumed that being less mindful helps one be more creative. However, they refined this interpretation by considering different strategies that can be used to solve the RAT problems. Creativity researchers have long been intrigued by the fact that the same creative problems can either be solved through analytic thought, or through spontaneous insight referred to as “Aha” experiences of insight/intuition ( Fleck & Kounios, 2009 ). Prior research has shown that analytic and insight problem-solving methods are associated with markedly different patterns of brain activity. For instance, default mode network activity in the brain is related to solving problems with insight/intuition ( Kounios et al., 2008 )—while the default mode network tends to quiet down through mindfulness.

Schooler et al. (2014) hypothesized that mindfulness might be related to creative analytic problem solving. To test this, after each problem they asked participants whether they had solved it mostly analytically or mostly with insight. They found that trait mindfulness correlated negatively with insight problem solving, but not with analytic creativity—suggesting that creative solutions can benefit from mindfulness, but specifically through a more analytically creative process. Others have actually found that insight problem solving can be enhanced through mindfulness. Ostafin and Kassman (2012) found that certain types of open-monitoring meditation improved insight problem solving. They noted that:

Insight problem solving is hindered by automated verbal-conceptual processes. Because mindfulness meditation training aims at “non-conceptual awareness,” which involves a reduced influence of habitual verbal–conceptual processes on the interpretation of ongoing experience, mindfulness may facilitate insight problem solving.

This helps to clarify how mindfulness can support creativity in terms of mind-wandering. The Schooler et al. (2014) body of work also makes assumptions which may limit the scope of their findings. For instance, they position mindfulness and mind-wandering in opposition to each other, and then carry this assumption out experimentally. However, while mindfulness and mind-wandering are often very different, they need not be mutually exclusive across all forms of practice—and in the messy spaces of implementation and educational practice, it is very possible that such ideas could coalesce. It might suggest that mindful meditations involving both conscious awareness and nonjudgment of thoughts could allow mindful mind-wandering in learning practices.

Certain forms of mind-wandering can be mindful/deliberate, while others are more uncontrolled/spontaneous. The role of these mental states on creativity was explored by Agnoli, Vanucci, Pelagatti, and Corazza (2018)) , who distinguished five constitutional dimensions of mindfulness: observing, acting with awareness, describing, nonreactivity, and non-judging. Results showed that mind-wandering and mindfulness predicted creative behavior both alone and in combination. Via path analysis they explored the value in distinguishing between deliberate and spontaneous mind-wandering. Deliberate mind-wandering positively predicted creative performance; however, spontaneous mind-wandering negatively associated with creative performance. Interestingly, more deliberative mind-wandering showed beneficial interaction effects with mindfulness toward producing creative and original ideas. This suggests that deliberate mind-wandering is a productive characteristic for creative work and potentially for creative learning in classrooms, which is supported by mindfulness.

Preiss and Cosmelli (2017) explored mindful mind-wandering for creativity using illustrative cases of creative writers and their processes. They noted that while their writers discussed the concepts of mind-wandering and creating in different ways, these were most often characterized by deliberation and awareness of their own mind. They termed this as, “mindful mind-wandering,” which nurtures creativity and differs from the absent-minded daydreaming of other mind-wandering:

Professional creators develop a sense of identity that is strongly grounded on their awareness of the mind wandering process. As authors become more expert, they gain a better understanding of the creative process and apprehend its phenomenological nature. Specifically, they become mindful mind wanderers (p. 303).

Research and practice suggest that despite what initially appears to be conflicting dynamics, mind-wandering and mindfulness can enhance each other toward creativity. Mindfulness in conjunction with mind-wandering may allow the mental wanderer more awareness and potential to imagine and think creatively—which may benefit creative imagination in learners’ skills and practices.

3.4. Theme 4: a need for applied and educational research

Finally, in reviewing the mindfulness-creativity relationship in scholarly literature for praxis, we noted a lack of educational literature in this space, which signals a need for more applied but still empirical research for thinking and learning settings. Fisher (2006) suggests that these topics may be most vital for young people in schooling:

For many children childhood is not a carefree time. In a materialistic, competitive world they are subject to many of the same stresses and strains as adults. They are bombarded by an information overload of words, images and noise. They are prey to the frustration and anger of others and often experience negative emotions more deeply and intensely than adults (p. 148).

Fisher notes that these kinds of stressors are commonly recognized as blocks to learning and creativity, making mindfulness a potentially beneficial approach and psychological support for creativity. He highlights a historical link harkening to the ancient Greeks and Romans, who believed that a quiet mind offered an opening to the creative muse.

Notably, meditation engages the mind in non-verbal ways, which learners do not always have the opportunity to use in schools. While the conscious mind is caught up in language, the brain’s linguistic structures can restrict the scope of human knowledge and action. Meditation may offer an experience of the mind that is not purely linguistic, expanding learners’ creativity by tapping into subconscious and intuitive thought. Claxton (1997) called this the “under-mind” and Malcolm Gladwell (2005) referred to it as the “adaptive subconscious.” Such intuitive experience is essential to learners’ creativity and requires a present-moment focus and freedom from distracting fears and desires.

Much of this connection between children in schools and mindfulness and creativity is still theoretical; and while the existing research is promising, it is greatly limited in volume and scope. As mindfulness has become more prevalent in real-world learning settings, more empirical research is needed to understand the mindfulness-creativity link and practices for learning settings ( Osten-Gerszberg, 2017 ).

A limited number of studies have considered the connection between increased creative outcomes and mindfulness in applied settings outside of university labs or psychological experiments, across disciplines. In education, Justo, Mañas, and Ayala (2014)) studied this with high school students, to analyze the impact of an extracurricular mindfulness program upon the figural creativity levels of a group of 50 teenagers. The authors used an experimental group of high school students who participated in the mindfulness training program, and a control group who did not. The results of the Torrance Test showed significantly higher levels of creativity in the treatment group, after a 10-week mindfulness intervention (of 1.5 h of training a week, with 30 min of daily meditation).

The school-based intervention focused on flow meditation ( Franco, 2009 ), which is meant to set thoughts free rather than control them, by nonjudgmentally noting any spontaneous thoughts that appear in mind. This technique does not aim to redirect thoughts back to an object of foci (the breath, etc.), but to develop attention and allow full awareness of whatever appears in consciousness, noticing the transience and impermanence of thoughts (e.g. a kind of meditation on thoughts). Though the study did not provide an effect size, their results are still promising as a step toward empirical support for mindfulness and creativity in educational environments. In their work, achievement goals and self-determination influenced mastery experience in creativity via mindful learning, which also has implications for teaching.

Yeh, Chang, and Chen (2019) investigated mindful learning and creativity among a younger school population of elementary students. They sought to understand mindfulness within digital game-based creative learning, using the Langer (2000) concept of mindful learning as a flexible state of mind in which people are actively engaged with the present, aware of new things, and sensitive to context. They developed an original training program for creativity and an instrument for measuring mindful learning during game-based learning. Their study focused on how players’ traits would influence their mastery experience during digital creativity game-based learning. Results suggested that mindful learning can support creativity within a game-based learning system; and participating students became more confident in their own creativity competences. This is interesting, because creative confidence has been found to be a driver of creative potential ( Beghetto, 2006 ). In educational settings, the notion of creative confidence is not often addressed, as many traditional education contexts are uncomfortable with the kinds of risk of failure associated with creativity, or do not promote the confidence to work through such discomfort toward creative ends. Thus, support for creative confidence, via mindfulness, may be an interesting pathway for future study.

4. Discussion of findings for education

The research we have described can serve to provide the field of education with ideas to utilize mindfulness to support learner creativity and well-being in educational settings. While the connection between mindfulness and creativity is complex, there is enough evidence to show a generally beneficial and supportive relationship between the two, wherein practicing mindfulness can support creativity. In the next section we discuss implications for the field of education.

4.1. Allowing purposeful mind-wandering

One way that educators can support students is through the teaching of mindful mind-wandering strategies. Preiss and Cosmelli (2017) describe how an awareness of the mind-wandering process is an essential component of the creative process. The more aware people are of these processes and of their own mind’s activities, the more capable they become to notice and attend to creative ideas in productive ways. Educators can help students become mindful mind-wanderers by teaching a creative process that includes stages where students purposefully diverge from the task or topic at hand. Rather than being “off-task” students may be purposefully led through activities that guide them through deliberate acts of mind-wandering ( Agnoli et al., 2018 ).

Intentional mind-wandering can stimulate novel ideas or fresh connections. The most important component here is intentionality. Open-monitoring meditation and flow meditation, as described earlier, allow the mind to notice thoughts or sensory stimuli without trying to change them. This awareness component of noticing may be beneficial for giving the mind space to expand, while also cultivating present moment awareness and observation. If educators can support students in being more aware of the type of mind-wandering they engage in they may be able to provide a valuable skill for metacognitive awareness.

While focused attention has its benefits and is necessary for concentration particularly around analytic creative problem solving, in terms of insight problem solving it can potentially be limiting to “Aha” moments or bursts of creative thought. Therefore, breaking up time used to solve problems with more open mindfulness inspired activities can be helpful when learners in any context get stuck. This may, in fact, be a metacognitive skill that educators can explicitly teach— in understanding how to allow for mental breaks or a shift in awareness, which may lead to higher levels of insight-related creative thought, helping learners to overcome challenges where they get stuck. Dijksterhuis and Meurs (2006) found that too much focused deliberation on problems blocks creativity, whereas strategic distraction improves it. Thus, there may be creative potential to mindfully observe one’s own mind-wandering, and allow it, observing where it goes and what it does.

Agnoli et al. (2018) found that high levels of originality were also associated with high levels of deliberate mind-wandering. Therefore, generating creative and original ideas is linked with the re-creation, redirection and reflection of thought. This has implications for how educators engage students in creative processes, suggesting consideration of how they are supporting students’ mind-wandering.

4.2. Time and space for meditation in curriculum

The simple act of meditating has been shown to benefit creativity in learning settings ( Holm, 2015 ). Practicing being more mindfully aware through meditation, even for a short amount of time each day, impacts learning holistically. Brief meditation breaks provide the downtime needed for creativity to be enhanced after returning to the task at hand. These breaks also may positively impact teachers who struggle to maintain their students’ focus in the midst of increasing curricular demands. Puccio et al. (2017) suggest that mindfulness involves the self-awareness of individuals within organizations, communities and group practices. Therefore is not just an individual pursuit, but it impacts the sociocultural settings and complex ecosystems in which people live, work, learn, and play—which underscores its importance within the ecologies of classrooms and schools.

Supporting the development of learners through the mindfulness-creativity connection, Fisher (2006) lays out the case for mindful meditation for children in schools, predicated upon the ways that mindfulness can expand creative thinking—and the degree to which young people often need these kinds of skills for wellbeing. The more general positive effects on student well-being may have other unmeasured values for creative thinking. It could be argued that in a stressful world, being able to learn strategies to increase well-being are an essential part of social-emotional learning and productive creativity.

4.3. Supporting creative thinking and reducing judgment or fear

There are more experiences and strategies that potentially support creativity and divergent thinking than we could cover here. Ideation to guide learners through processes of generating creative and original ideas may also be supported by intentional and mindful mind-wandering. In addition, open-ended tasks are an approach to supporting creativity in content learning, in that multiple solutions are both allowed and expected. Yet while such approaches have been identified as a key way to support student creativity ( Jeffrey & Craft, 2004 ), simply doing such types of activities in learning settings does not guarantee that learners will engage in creative thinking or even feel comfortable doing so.

Some of the most notable barriers to creativity are either fear or judgment—or fear of judgment—which is often the case for learners in school settings. Creativity inherently brings social risk, and people frequently report feeling uncertain about offering up new ideas for fear they might be judged or thought to be strange ( Beghetto, 2007 ). Given the social pressures for students in K12 and higher education contexts, it is critical that creative environments reduce fear or anxiety around judgment. The nonjudgmental awareness of mindfulness meditation is an important skill supporting this.

Educators often note that in attempting more creative lessons, students may be uncomfortable in open-ended, project-based spaces that lack single-correct-answer approaches. Since learners today grow up in standards-based high-stakes testing environments, teachers sometimes report that they can be nervous or uncomfortable with ambiguity ( Olivant, 2015 ). Opening up thinking and allowing for more divergent elements is important, and the connection between divergent thinking and open-monitoring meditation suggests that this might be a useful practice, particularly for instances when ideation and multiple possibilities are important.

By aiming to non-judgmentally expand awareness, mindfulness presents opportunities to open social acceptance of creative thinking and intellectual risk-taking in learning settings. As learners come to expect different ideas and solutions from themselves and their peers without judgment, there may be a decrease in the fear or risk associated with presenting novel ideas, thus enhancing creative thinking ( Brown et al., 2007 ).

5. Conclusion

This literature review investigated findings around the relationship between mindfulness and creativity with focus on educational contexts—scoping the field in a thematic, qualitative exploration of the research into mindfulness and creativity. Summing up the relationship between these two areas is challenging due to their complexity. The most accurate summation may be to point to the generally positive but also complex nature of the relationship—with much research suggesting that mindfulness enhances creativity, as well as areas that are more nuanced depending on contextual factors. We have explored the connection to mind-wandering around mindfulness and creativity—and the possibility of using mindfulness to support deliberative mind-wandering (vs. spontaneous mind-wandering) toward expanded creativity in learning. Finally, we have emphasized the relative lack of applied and/or educational studies around mindfulness and creativity, and the need for more research in this area to inform educational practice across contexts.

The theoretical foundations connecting mindfulness and creativity are strong, with regard to observing and understanding the world and noticing more possibilities without being clouded by mental blinders. This is exemplified by Justo et al. (2014) :

Mindfulness is a technique which allows introspective and perceptual awareness, encouraging the awareness towards our psychological processes and habits. It increases the interhemispheric communication, which is typical of creativity states, since the individual who meditates is able to perceive more and more subtle details of the stream of consciousness and mental processes (p. 233).

Empirically, research in this area has demonstrated promise but there is much room to develop a more nuanced understanding of the relationship. Going beyond correlation, meta-analysis has empirically inferred causation, suggesting that mindfulness training supports, strengthens, and expands creative thinking ( Lebuda et al., 2016 ). Mindfulness and creativity are not yet fully understood in many ways, and both are inherently complicated and variable areas unto themselves.

In investigating the relationship, the context, variables, and moderators or potential interactions are important. For instance, mindfulness generally supports creativity—but there are some concerns about the way it affects mind-wandering and the resultant effects on creativity. More nuanced and recent research has teased this apart to further break down mind-wandering into different types (spontaneous and deliberate) each of which affect creativity differently ( Agnoli et al., 2018 ). This remains a somewhat new and still relatively unexplored area of empirical work.

The number of potential moderators, such as different types of mindfulness and meditation, is a challenge for researchers seeking to dissect the relationship. For instance, it is likely that different practices, such as open-monitoring vs. focused-awareness meditations, play a role at different stages of the creative process. Thus, there are gaps in the literature in regards to fully understanding these different roles and different moderators. In order to apply mindfulness and creativity in practical education settings, more sustained, applied and ongoing research is needed.

For educators, it is vital to see more research on mindfulness and creativity embedded in real-world contexts, particularly in learning settings. This would support better understanding of the intersection of these constructs in-situ—or a more robust understanding of mindfulness and creativity ‘in the wild,’ beyond labs or testing situations. When we combine the correlational and causal links between creativity and mindfulness, there are important implications for learning psychology around creativity and creative education—both for creative abilities and self-concept.

In practice, helping educators to understand how different types of mindfulness might support their students across different needs and tasks could be beneficial; and this may be true in other contexts of thinking, learning and development. Existing research points to a promising intersectionbut we would suggest that more action research approaches in classroom settings could benefit our empirical-practical understandings. Mindfulness and creativity are critical to wellbeing and development at individual and societal levels, so understanding them in context is essential. The future of human thinking, wellness, and progress demands no less.

CRediT authorship contribution statement

Danah Henriksen: Conceptualization, Data curation, Formal analysis, Investigation, Methodology, Writing - original draft, Writing - review & editing. Carmen Richardson: Conceptualization, Formal analysis, Writing - original draft, Writing - review & editing. Kyle Shack: Conceptualization, Formal analysis, Writing - original draft, Writing - review & editing.

  • Agnoli S., Vanucci M., Pelagatti C., Corazza G.E. Exploring the link between mind wandering, mindfulness, and creativity: A multidimensional approach. Creativity Research Journal. 2018;30(1):41–53. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Baas M., Nevicka B., Ten Velden F.S. Specific mindfulness skills differentially predict creative performance. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. 2014;40(9):1092–1106. doi: 10.1177/0146167214535813. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
  • Baird B., Smallwood J., Mrazek M.D., Kam J.W., Franklin M.S., Schooler J.W. Inspired by distraction: mind wandering facilitates creative incubation. Psychological Science. 2012;23(10):1117–1122. doi: 10.1177/0956797612446024. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
  • Beghetto R.A. Creative self-efficacy: Correlates in middle and secondary students. Creativity Research Journal. 2006;18(4):447–457. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Beghetto R.A. Does creativity have a place in classroom discussions? Prospective teachers’ response preferences. Thinking Skills and Creativity. 2007;2(1):1–9. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Bennett K., Dorjee D. The impact of a mindfulness-based stress reduction course (MBSR) on well-being and academic attainment of sixth-form students. Mindfulness. 2016;7(1):105–114. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Bower P., Gilbody S. Stepped care in psychological therapies: Access, effectiveness and efficiency: Narrative literature review. The British Journal of Psychiatry. 2005;186(1):11–17. doi: 10.1192/bjp.186.1.11. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
  • Braun V., Clarke V. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology. 2006;3(2):77–101. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Brown K.W., Ryan R.M., Creswell J.D. Mindfulness: Theoretical foundations and evidence for its salutary effects. Psychological Inquiry. 2007;18(4):211–237. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Carson S.H., Langer E.J. Mindfulness and self-acceptance. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy. 2006;24(1):29–43. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Charmaz K. Grounded theory: Objectivist and constructivist methods. In: Denzin N.K., Lincoln Y.S., editors. Strategies for qualitative inquiry. 2nd ed. SAGE Publications; Thousand Oaks: 2003. pp. 509–535. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Chiesa A., Calati R., Serretti A. Does mindfulness training improve cognitive abilities? A systematic review of neuropsychological findings. Clinical Psychology Review. 2011;31(3):449–464. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2010.11.003. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
  • Claxton G. Fourth Estate; London: 1997. Hare brain, tortoise mind. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Colzato L.S., Szapora A., Hommel B. Meditate to create: The impact of focused-attention and open-monitoring training on convergent and divergent thinking. Frontiers in Psychology. 2012;3:116. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2012.00116. [ DOI ] [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
  • Dijksterhuis A., Meurs T. Where creativity resides: The generative power of unconscious thought. Consciousness and Cognition. 2006;15:135–146. doi: 10.1016/j.concog.2005.04.007. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
  • Fisher R. Still thinking: The case for meditation with children. Thinking Skills and Creativity. 2006;1(2):146–151. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Fleck J.I., Kounios J. Intuition, creativity, and unconscious aspects of problem solving. In: Banks W.P., editor. Vol. 1. Elsevier Inc.; Cambridge, MA: 2009. pp. 431–446. (Encyclopedia of consciousness). [ DOI ] [ Google Scholar ]
  • Franco C. Bubok; Madrid: 2009. Meditación Fluir para serenar el cuerpo y la mente. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Gladwell M. Little, Brown and Company; New York, NY: 2005. Blink: The power of thinking without thinking. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Goff K., Torrance E.P. Healing qualities of imagery & creativity. The Journal of Creative Behavior. 1991;25(4):296–303. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Grant M.J., Booth A. A typology of reviews: An analysis of 14 review types and associated methodologies. Health Information and Libraries Journal. 2009;26(2):91–108. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-1842.2009.00848.x. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
  • Greenberg J., Reiner K., Meiran N. “Mind the trap”: Mindfulness practice reduces cognitive rigidity. PloS One. 2012;7(5) doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0036206. [ DOI ] [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
  • Hart C. Sage; 2018. Doing a literature review: Releasing the research imagination. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Henriksen D., Creely E., Henderson M. Failing in creativity: The problem of policy and practice in Australia and the United States. Kappa Delta Pi Record. 2019;55(1):4–10. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Holm M. Cultivating alternate mindsets to enhance organisational well-being and creativity. International Journal of Business and Economic Development (IJBED) 2015;3(2) [ Google Scholar ]
  • Horan R. The neuropsychological connection between creativity and meditation. Creativity Research Journal. 2009;21(2-3):199–222. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Jedrczak A., Beresford M., Clements G. The TM-Sidhi program, pure consciousness, creativity and intelligence. The Journal of Creative Behavior. 1985;19:270–275. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Jeffrey B., Craft A. Teaching creatively and teaching for creativity: Distinctions and relationships. Educational Studies. 2004;30(1):77–87. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Justo C.F., Mañas I.M., Ayala E.S. Improving the graphic creativity levels of Latin American high school students currently living in Spain by means of a mindfulness program. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences. 2014;132:229–234. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Kabat-Zinn J. Delacorte; Nova York: 1990. Full catastrophe living: A practical guide to mindfulness, meditation, and healing. [ Google Scholar ]
  • King E., Badham R. The wheel of mindfulness: A generative framework for second-generation mindful leadership. Mindfulness. 2018:1–11. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Kounios J., Fleck J.I., Green D.L., Payne L., Stevenson J.L., Bowden E.M. The origins of insight in resting-state brain activity. Neuropsychologia. 2008;46:281–291. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2007.07.013. [ DOI ] [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
  • Kudesia R.S. 2015. Mindfulness and creativity in the workplace. Mindfulness in organizations: Foundations, research, and applications; pp. 190–212. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Langer E.J. Mindful learning. Current Directions in Psychological Science. 2000;9(6):220–223. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Lebuda I., Zabelina D.L., Karwowski M. Mind full of ideas: A meta-analysis of the mindfulness–creativity link. Personality and Individual Differences. 2016;93:22–26. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Mehta R., Creely E., Henriksen D. A profitable education: Countering neoliberalism in 21st century skills discourses. In: Keengwe J., Onchwari G., editors. Handbook of research on literacy and digital technology integration in teacher education. IGI Global; 2020. pp. 359–381. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Moore A., Malinowski P. Meditation, mindfulness and cognitive flexibility. Consciousness and Cognition. 2009;18(1):176–186. doi: 10.1016/j.concog.2008.12.008. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
  • Moustakas C. Sage; Thousand Oaks, CA: 1994. Phenomenological research methods. [ Google Scholar ]
  • O’Donnell A. Contemplative pedagogy and mindfulness: Developing creative attention in an age of distraction. Journal of Philosophy of Education. 2015;49(2):187–202. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Olivant K.F. I am not a format: Teachers’ experiences with fostering creativity in the era of accountability. Journal of Research in Childhood Education. 2015;29(1) [ Google Scholar ]
  • Ostafin B.D., Kassman K.T. Stepping out of history: Mindfulness improves insight problem solving. Consciousness and Cognition. 2012;21(2):1031–1036. doi: 10.1016/j.concog.2012.02.014. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
  • Osten-Gerszberg C. Mindful; 2017. The future of education: Mindful classrooms. https://www.mindful.org/future-education-mindful-classrooms/ Retrieved from. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Paré G., Kitsiou S. Methods for literature reviews. In: Lau F., Kuziemsky C., editors. Handbook of eHealth evaluation: An evidence-based approach. University of Victoria; Canada: 2016. pp. 157–180. [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
  • Prabhu V., Sutton C., Sauser W. Creativity and certain personality traits: Understanding the mediating effect of intrinsic motivation. Creativity Research Journal. 2008;20(1):53–66. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Preiss D.D., Cosmelli D. Mind wandering, creative writing, and the self. In: Karwowski M., Kaufman J., editors. The creative self. Academic Press; Cambridge, MA: 2017. pp. 301–313. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Puccio G.J., Cabra I.F., Schwagler N. Sage Publications.; 2017. Organizational creativity: A practical guide for innovators & entrepreneurs. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Runco M.A. Elsevier; Netherlands: 2014. Creativity: Theories and themes: Research, development, and practice. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Saldaña J. Sage; Thousand Oaks, CA: 2015. The coding manual for qualitative researchers. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Schooler J.W., Mrazek M.D., Franklin M.S., Baird B., Mooneyham B.W., Zedelius C., Broadway J.M. The middle way: Finding the balance between mindfulness and mind-wandering. The Psychology of Learning and Motivation. 2014;Vol. 60:1–33. Netherlands: Elsevier. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Sedlmeier P., Eberth J., Schwarz M., Zimmermann D., Haarig F., Jaeger S. The psychological effects of meditation: A meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin. 2012;138(6):1139. doi: 10.1037/a0028168. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
  • Shapiro S.L. The integration of mindfulness and psychology. Journal of Clinical Psychology. 2009;65(6):555–560. doi: 10.1002/jclp.20602. [ DOI ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
  • Shonin E., Van Gordon W., Griffiths M.D. The emerging role of Buddhism in clinical psychology: Toward effective integration. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality. 2014;6(2):123. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Sun J. Mindfulness in context: A historical discourse analysis. Contemporary Buddhism. 2014;15(2):394–415. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Trammel R.C. Tracing the roots of mindfulness: Transcendence in buddhism and christianity. Journal of Religion & Spirituality in Social Work: Social Thought. 2017;36(3):367–383. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Tranfield D., Denyer D., Smart P. Towards a methodology for developing evidence‐informed management knowledge by means of systematic review. British Journal of Management. 2003;14(3):207–222. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Weinstein N., Brown K.W., Ryan R.M. A multi-method examination of the effects of mindfulness on stress attribution, coping, and emotional well-being. Journal of Research in Personality. 2009;43(3):374–385. [ Google Scholar ]
  • White H.A., Shah P. Creative style and achievement in adults with attention- deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Personality and Individual Differences. 2011;50:673–677. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Williams J.M.G., Kabat-Zinn J. Mindfulness: diverse perspectives on its meaning, origins, and multiple applications at the intersection of science and dharma. Contemporary Buddhism. 2011;12(1):1–18. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Yeh Y.C., Chang H.L., Chen S.Y. Mindful learning: A mediator of mastery experience during digital creativity game-based learning among elementary school students. Computers & Education. 2019;132:63–75. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Yun H., Lee G., Kim D.J. A chronological review of empirical research on personal information privacy concerns: An analysis of contexts and research constructs. Information & Management. 2019;56(4):570–601. [ Google Scholar ]
  • Zedelius C.M., Schooler J.W. Mind wandering “Ahas” versus mindful reasoning: Alternative routes to creative solutions. Frontiers in Psychology. 2015;6:834. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00834. [ DOI ] [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]
  • View on publisher site
  • PDF (305.3 KB)
  • Collections

Similar articles

Cited by other articles, links to ncbi databases.

  • Download .nbib .nbib
  • Format: AMA APA MLA NLM

Add to Collections

Help | Advanced Search

Computer Science > Computation and Language

Title: capturing research literature attitude towards sustainable development goals: an llm-based topic modeling approach.

Abstract: The world is facing a multitude of challenges that hinder the development of human civilization and the well-being of humanity on the planet. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were formulated by the United Nations in 2015 to address these global challenges by 2030. Natural language processing techniques can help uncover discussions on SDGs within research literature. We propose a completely automated pipeline to 1) fetch content from the Scopus database and prepare datasets dedicated to five groups of SDGs; 2) perform topic modeling, a statistical technique used to identify topics in large collections of textual data; and 3) enable topic exploration through keywords-based search and topic frequency time series extraction. For topic modeling, we leverage the stack of BERTopic scaled up to be applied on large corpora of textual documents (we find hundreds of topics on hundreds of thousands of documents), introducing i) a novel LLM-based embeddings computation for representing scientific abstracts in the continuous space and ii) a hyperparameter optimizer to efficiently find the best configuration for any new big datasets. We additionally produce the visualization of results on interactive dashboards reporting topics' temporal evolution. Results are made inspectable and explorable, contributing to the interpretability of the topic modeling process. Our proposed LLM-based topic modeling pipeline for big-text datasets allows users to capture insights on the evolution of the attitude toward SDGs within scientific abstracts in the 2006-2023 time span. All the results are reproducible by using our system; the workflow can be generalized to be applied at any point in time to any big corpus of textual documents.

Submission history

Access paper:.

  • Other Formats

license icon

References & Citations

  • Google Scholar
  • Semantic Scholar

BibTeX formatted citation

BibSonomy logo

Bibliographic and Citation Tools

Code, data and media associated with this article, recommenders and search tools.

  • Institution

arXivLabs: experimental projects with community collaborators

arXivLabs is a framework that allows collaborators to develop and share new arXiv features directly on our website.

Both individuals and organizations that work with arXivLabs have embraced and accepted our values of openness, community, excellence, and user data privacy. arXiv is committed to these values and only works with partners that adhere to them.

Have an idea for a project that will add value for arXiv's community? Learn more about arXivLabs .

IMAGES

  1. 170 Literary Research Topics can Establish Your Success

    literature research topics ideas

  2. Need some great English literature research paper topics? Get them here

    literature research topics ideas

  3. 275 Good Literature Research Paper Topics & Ideas

    literature research topics ideas

  4. 250+ Best Research Paper Topics Ideas that Inspire

    literature research topics ideas

  5. 🔥 Literature topics. Choosing The Best Literary Research Paper Topic

    literature research topics ideas

  6. Best Literature Review Topic Ideas

    literature research topics ideas

VIDEO

  1. Review of Literature

  2. RESEARCH

  3. Great research topics for English literature: thesis topics for English literature

  4. Research topic ideas for English literature

  5. Software Testing Research Topics ideas for MS and PHD Thesis

  6. SOURCES OF REVIEW OF LITERATURE || RESEARCH TOOLS || PILOT STUDY || REVIEW OF LITERATURE KYA HAI

COMMENTS

  1. 150 Literature Research Topics and Ideas in 2025

    Some compelling literature research topics in this category include: The evolution of the hero's journey in Greek mythology. Shakespeare's use of metaphor and symbolism in his sonnets. The role of social class in Jane Austen's novels. Gothic elements in Emily Brontë's "Wuthering Heights". The concept of morality in Fyodor ...

  2. 250 Literature Research Paper Topic: Literary Ideas for You

    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.

  3. 1000 Literature Thesis Topics and Ideas

    This page provides a comprehensive list of literature thesis topics, offering a valuable resource for students tasked with writing a thesis in the field of literature.Designed to cater to a wide array of literary interests and academic inquiries, the topics are organized into 25 diverse categories, ranging from African American Literature to Young Adult Literature.

  4. English Literature Thesis Topics

    400 English Literature Thesis Topics and Ideas. This comprehensive list of English literature thesis topics provides students with a valuable resource for identifying the ideal focus for their academic thesis. English literature is a vast field, encompassing a rich history of classical works, modern writings, and future-oriented literature studies.

  5. Literature Research Paper Topics

    In a literature research paper, one can delve into numerous facets of this intricate art form, leading to an extensive range of topics for exploration. Literature comes in various forms, including novels, short stories, plays, and poems. Each of these forms has unique characteristics, providing ample research paper topics.

  6. Top 300 Engaging Literature Research Paper Topics

    Top 20 Research Paper Topics On Environmental Literature. Ecocriticism: Exploring Nature in Literature. Environmental Activism in Literary Works. Wilderness and the American Imagination in Literature. Climate Change Narratives in Environmental Literature. Nature Writing and the Natural World in Literature. Urban Ecology in Literary Works.

  7. 400+ List of the Best Literature Research Topics and Ideas

    British Literature Topics and Ideas. Analyze the themes of love and betrayal in William Shakespeare's tragedies. Investigate the representation of social class in Charles Dickens's novels. Examine the role of the supernatural in Gothic literature, with a focus on Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.

  8. 170 Best Literature Review Topics For Effective Writing

    Literature Review Topics. 1. The impact of childhood trauma on adult mental health. This topic will explore the lasting effects of childhood trauma on psychological well-being in adulthood, including the development of disorders such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety. 2.

  9. 200+ Literature Research Paper Topics & Ideas

    Literature Research Topics Across Time and Genre. Spiritual and Physical Union in John Donne's Poetry. Cultural Critique in Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness' and 'Lord Jim'. Allegory and Symbolism in Spenser's 'Faerie Queene'. Totalitarianism and Surveillance in Orwell's '1984'. Female Independence in Bronte's 'Jane Eyre'.

  10. Literature Topics and Research

    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)

  11. Literature Dissertation Topics

    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 ...

  12. 275 Good Literature Research Paper Topics & Ideas

    Simple Literature Research Paper Topics. Love Themes in "Romeo and Juliet". "Pride and Prejudice": A Study of Class Differences. Symbolism in Classics: "The Old Man and the Sea". Epistolary Style in "Dracula": Advantages and Limitations. Human Nature in "Lord of the Flies". Nature Imagery in Wordsworth's Poetry.

  13. Best Literature Research Paper Topics [with Tips]

    British Literary Research Topics. English literature has a great variety of themes to explore. That is why it is confusing for many students to come up with interesting British literary research topics. Thus, our team offers you unique and engaging English literature research paper ideas which you can use directly for writing or inspiration:

  14. 100+ Excellent Literature Research Paper Topics

    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.

  15. English Literature Research Paper Topics

    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.

  16. Top 150 Literature Research Paper Topics For A Brilliant Essay

    Create an outline. Point out the most important facts in the body of your essay. Choose only reliable and up-to-date sources. Create a paper in a proper voice and tone. Complete the paper with a fitting conclusion. Make your paper look solid. Avoid any grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes, as well as typos.

  17. 75 Best Literature Research Paper Topic Ideas

    Through the exceptional examples we intent on sharing below, you will know how to stay on topic writing a research literature paper with ease. Stay with me. English British Literature Research Paper Topic Ideas. A review of the character of Lady Macbeth in the works of William Shakespeare; Typical characters dominant in World War 1 and II books

  18. Top 100 Literary Research Paper Topics

    Take a look at our list of the best 10 literary analysis essay topics ever and select the one you like. Remember, all these topics are original (at the time of writing): Describe literature as a part of the modern culture. Daoism in modern Chinese literature. Feminism in contemporary literature. Don Quixote's most important personality traits.

  19. 120 Literature Review Topics for Inspired Research

    29 Jul 2021. A literature review is an account of the scholarly works published on a topic. It is different from an annotated bibliography - and far more interesting at that. Instead of being just a list of summaries, a literature review synthesizes the information from all available sources in an overall relationship to your guiding concept.

  20. American Literature Research Paper Topics

    100 American Literature Research Paper Topics. American literature, a vast and diverse field, encompasses a range of themes, styles, and epochs. From the colonial tales of the early settlers to the modern narratives of the 21st century, the U.S. literary canvas is as broad as the country's history. This comprehensive list offers a variety of ...

  21. Mindfulness and creativity: Implications for thinking and learning

    What is the nature of the mindfulness-creativity relationship as outlined in existing research and literature? Based on the literature on mindfulness and creativity, what are the implications for teaching and learning settings? And what takeaways and ideas can be used to inform educational practice? 2.1. Approach and rationale for review

  22. [2411.02943v2] Capturing research literature attitude towards

    Natural language processing techniques can help uncover discussions on SDGs within research literature. We propose a completely automated pipeline to 1) fetch content from the Scopus database and prepare datasets dedicated to five groups of SDGs; 2) perform topic modeling, a statistical technique used to identify topics in large collections of ...