20 Easy Research Paper Topics for English


Most students have to produce papers on the English language or literature at some point, but few are passionate enough about these subjects to pick a deep and complicated one to explore. If you are looking for a topic that is easy to write and rich in material, here are twenty ideas:

  1. Origins of the English language. The assimilation of Anglo-Saxon dialects into those of early British tribes. The Roman influence; similarities and differences with continental Germanic languages.
  2. Old English. The effects of Viking raids on its development.
  3. Middle English. The impact of the Norman Conquest.
  4. Early Modern English. The influence of the Industrial Revolution. The history of London’s dialect being accepted as the standard.
  5. Cross-cultural influences of the English language. The origins and development of a particular English dialect: American, Afro-American, Creole, Aboriginal, Indian, or Asian.
  6. Gender controversy in modern English. The correct use of nouns and pronouns in situations where gender is unclear. Gender-sensitive words. The relationship between the increasing role of women in the public sphere and gender changes in the English language.
  7. Challenges of learning English as a second language (ESL). This topic may especially appeal to you if English is actually your second language.
  8. Shakespeare’s contribution to English literature. This is one of the most obvious choices, but you can still produce an interesting paper about Shakespeare’s work or a character that you are really passionate about.
  9. Victorian literature.
  10. The imagist movement in English literature.
  11. American literature. The differences between literature of the North and the South.
  12. Afro-American literature.
  13. Contributions made to English literature by Indian writers.
  14. Female writers in English literature.
  15. Scottish writers in English literature.
  16. Irish writers in English literature.
  17. An author’s life story. Investigate the impact of the author’s biography on the style, topics, and characters of his or her books – for example, what made Upton Sinclair write “The Jungle.” Such papers are always interesting to read, and they do not take much effort to write.
  18. Presentation of women in literature. Compare and contrast female characters in old and new books, or conduct a case study on a famous female character.
  19. The sociological and political impact of a particular book.
  20. A banned book. Explore the story of a famous book that has been banned from school libraries, e. g. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn or Harry Potter. Identify and evaluate the reasons for its removal. Such a controversial topic will arouse the interests of readers.

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