research topics for english 101

• Chess (Gr. 1-4)
• TV (Gr. 1-4)
• Metal Detectors (Gr. 2-6)
• Tetris (Gr. 2-6)
• Seat Belts (Gr. 2-6)
• The Coliseum (Gr. 2-6)
• The Pony Express (Gr. 2-6)
• Wintertime (Gr. 2-6)
• Reading (Gr. 3-7)
• Black Friday (Gr. 3-7)
• Hummingbirds (Gr. 3-7)
• Worst Game Ever? (Gr. 4-8)
• Carnivorous Plants (Gr. 4-8)
• Google (Gr. 4-8)
• Honey Badgers (Gr. 4-8)
• Hyperinflation (Gr. 4-8)
• Koko (Gr. 4-8)
• Mongooses (Gr. 5-9)
• Trampolines (Gr. 5-9)
• Garbage (Gr. 5-9)
• Maginot Line (Gr. 5-9)
• Asian Carp (Gr. 5-9)
• Tale of Two Countries (Gr. 6-10)
• Kevlar (Gr. 7-10)
• Tigers (Gr. 7-11)
• Statue of Liberty (Gr. 8-10)
• Submarines (Gr. 8-12)
• Castles (Gr. 9-13)
• Gutenberg (Gr. 9-13)
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101 research paper topics.

• Why do we sleep ?
• How do GPS systems work?
• Who was the first person to reach the North Pole ?
• Did anybody ever escape Alcatraz ?
• What was life like for a gladiator ?
• What are the effects of prolonged steroid use on the human body?
• What happened during the Salem witch trials ?
• Are there any effective means of repelling insects ?
• How did trains and railroads change life in America?
• What may have occurred during the Roswell  UFO incident of 1947?
• How is bulletproof clothing made?
• What Olympic events were practiced in ancient Greece?
• What are the major theories explaining the disappearance of the dinosaurs ?
• How was the skateboard invented and how has it changed over the years?
• How did the long bow contribute to English military dominance?
• What caused the stock market crash of 2008?
• How did Cleopatra come to power in Egypt what did she do during her reign?
• How has airport security intensified since September 11 th , 2001?
• What is life like inside of a beehive ?
• Where did hip hop originate and who were its founders?
• What makes the platypus a unique and interesting mammal?
• How does tobacco use affect the human body?
• How do computer viruses spread and in what ways do they affect computers?
• What is daily life like for a Buddhist monk ?
• What are the origins of the conflict in Darfur ?
• How did gunpowder change warfare?
• In what ways do Wal-Mart stores affect local economies?
• How were cats and dogs domesticated and for what purposes?
• What do historians know about ninjas ?
• How has the music industry been affected by the internet and digital downloading?
• What were the circumstances surrounding the death of Osama Bin Laden ?
• What was the women’s suffrage movement and how did it change America?
• What efforts are being taken to protect endangered wildlife ?
• How much does the war on drugs cost Americans each year?
• How is text messaging affecting teen literacy?
• Are humans still evolving ?
• What technologies are available to home owners to help them conserve energy ?
• How have oil spills affected the planet and what steps are being taken to prevent them?
• What was the Magna Carta and how did it change England?
• What is the curse of the pharaohs?
• Why was Socrates executed?
• What nonlethal weapons are used by police to subdue rioters?
• How does the prison population in America compare to other nations?
• How did ancient sailors navigate the globe?
• Can gamblers ever acquire a statistical advantage over the house in casino games?
• What is alchemy and how has it been attempted?
• How are black holes formed?
• How was the assassination of Abraham Lincoln plotted and executed?
• Do the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks?
• How do submarines work?
• Do lie detector tests accurately determine truthful statements?
• How did Cold War tension affect the US and the world?
• What happened to the lost settlers at Roanoke ?
• How does a hybrid car save energy?
• What ingredients can be found inside of a hotdog ?
• How did Julius Caesar affect Rome?
• What are some common sleep disorders and how are they treated?
• How did the Freedom Riders change society?
• How is internet censorship used in China and around the world?
• What was the code of the Bushido and how did it affect samurai warriors ?
• What are the risks of artificial tanning or prolonged exposure to the sun?
• What programs are available to help war veterans get back into society?
• What steps are involved in creating a movie or television show?
• How have the film and music industries dealt with piracy ?
• How did Joan of Arc change history?
• What responsibilities do secret service agents have?
• How does a shark hunt?
• What dangers and hardships did Lewis and Clark face when exploring the Midwest?
• Has the Patriot Act prevented or stopped terrorist acts in America?
• Do states that allow citizens to carry guns have higher or lower crime rates?
• How are the Great Depression and the Great Recession similar and different?
• What are the dangers of scuba diving and underwater exploration?
• How does the human brain store and retrieve memories ?
• What was the Manhattan Project and what impact did it have on the world?
• How does stealth technology shield aircraft from radar?
• What causes tornadoes ?
• Why did Martin Luther protest against the Catholic Church?
• How does a search engine work?
• What are the current capabilities and future goals of genetic engineers ?
• How did the Roman Empire fall?
• What obstacles faced scientists in breaking the sound barrier ?
• How did the black plague affect Europe?
• What happened to Amelia Earhart ?
• What are the dangers and hazards of using nuclear power ?
• How did Genghis Khan conquer Persia?
• What architectural marvels were found in Tenochtitlan, capital of the Aztec Empire ?
• From where does spam email come and can we stop it?
• How does night vision work?
• How did journalists influence US war efforts in Vietnam ?
• What are the benefits and hazards of medical marijuana ?
• What causes desert mirages and how do they affect wanderers?
• What was the cultural significance of the first moon landing ?
• What are sinkholes and how are they formed?
• Have any psychics ever solved crimes or prevented them from occurring?
• Who is Vlad the Impaler and what is his connection to Count Dracula ?
• What are the risks of climate change and global warming ?
• What treatments are available to people infected with HIV and are they effective?
• Who was a greater inventor, Leonardo di Vinci or Thomas Edison ?
• How are the Chinese and American economies similar and different?
• Why was communism unsuccessful in so many countries?
• In what ways do video games affect children and teenagers?

923 Comments

I like using this website when I assist kids with learning as a lot of these topics are quickly covered in the school systems. Thankyou

Mackenah Nicole Molina

Wow! I always have trouble deiciding what to do a research project on but this list has totally solved that. Now my only problem is choosing what idea on this list I should do first!

Most of these my teacher rejected because apparently ‘these aren’t grade level topics, and I doubt they interest you”

I’m sorry to hear that. Sounds like you will have a potentially valuable character-building experience in the short-term.

Edwin Augusto Galindo Cuba

THIS SITE IS AWESOME, THERE ARE LOTS OF TOPICS TO LEARN AND MASTER OUR SKILLS!

research kid

I need one about animals, please. I have been challenged to a animal research project, Due Friday. I have no clue what to research! somebody help, thanks for reading!

You can do one on bats

For international studies you can do Defense and Security.

This was very helpful.

Research on Ben Franklin? I think THAT will get a real charge out of everyone (hehehehegetit)

Mandy Maher

“Is it possible to colonize Mars?”

maddy burney

these are silly topics

thx for making this real.

more gaming questions!!!!!!

Is it still considered stealing if you don’t get caught?

Yes, yes it is still considered stealing.

I need topics on memes

Mary Nnamani

Please I need project topics on Language Literature

Marcella Vallarino

I would appreciate a list of survey questions for middle school grades 6-8

I need a research topics about public sector management

I NEED FIVE EXAMPLES EACH ON QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH (EDUCATION, HEALTH, TECHNOLOGY, ECONOMY AND ENGINEERING)

publish research that are interesting please……

hey can you do one on the burmiueda triangle

Anybody know video games effect kids,and,teens. There Fun!!

they’re

I need a topic about woman history if any of u can find 1 please that would be great!

You could research about the history of the astronauts, and of human past (WWI, WWII, etc.)

so about women? Manitoba Women Win the Right to Vote in Municipal Elections, The First Women, January 23, 1849: Elizabeth Blackwell becomes the first woman to graduate from medical school and become a doctor in the United States, Rosa Parks Civil Rights Equal Pay. I have way more. so if you need more just ask.

communism is good

what are you a communist?!?!

Did FDR know about the upcoming attack on Pearl Harbor on 07 DEC 1941.

do you know how babies are born

Christine Singu

kindly assist with a research topic in the field of accounting or auditing

need more about US army

Please can yiu give me a topic in education

I think one should be how can music/Video games can affect the life for people

or How Do Video Games Affect Teenagers?

zimbabwe leader

I think a good topic is supporting the confederate flag!

Need a research topic within the context of students union government and dues payments

do more weird ones plz

joyce alcantara

Hi pls po can you give me a topic relate for humanities pls thank u.

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110 Excellent English Research Topics and Ideas

Table of Contents

Are you confused about what topic to choose for English research? Don’t worry. When it comes to English, there are no boundaries to the subjects you can research. Moreover, the English research paper topic you pick should focus on answering a question based on your investigation. Usually, selecting a fascinating English research title that has the power to attract an audience and demonstrate your academic skills might be challenging. Therefore, in this blog, we have published a list of 110 excellent English research topics and ideas suggested by our team of experts. Additionally, we have also shared how to choose a good English research topic to get started.

If you have difficulty identifying a suitable study topic, explore this blog and get amazing ideas for English research.

Know How to Select a Perfect English Research Topic

It is important to possess the necessary knowledge to identify a topic for English research. In case, you struggle to choose a topic for your English research paper, follow these steps.

• First, select a subject that interests you.
• After doing a thorough background investigation, generate numerous English research ideas based on your interests.
• List the different keywords that will help you concentrate on the main idea.
• Examine a variety of perspectives on the topic you have chosen. Specifically, ask essential questions like what, who, why, who, and when to achieve this.
• Outline the content’s structure depending on how you want it to appear and the questions you answered.
• Pay close attention to the research paper’s length and due date.
• Confirm that your topic meets all of your professor’s research guidelines and requirements.

Note that the research topic you choose will only be good if it appeals to both you and your audience. It is recommended that you choose a subject that is familiar to you and can support your research with adequate sources. So keep these in mind while you brainstorm ideas and topics for your English research paper.

Read More – Learn and Understand the Common English Techniques

Understand How to Structure an English Research Paper

After you have chosen a topic, conduct an in-depth study on it and then prepare a brilliant English research paper. Remember, the English research paper you compose should be well-structured, informative, and plagiarism-free. In case, you are unsure how to organize the ideas in your English research paper, follow the standard structure specified below

In the research paper’s title page, you should include the title, author’s name, institutional affiliation, and submission date.

The abstract is a concise description of the research paper, usually no more than 250 words. Here, you should provide a short description of the research topic, methods, results, and conclusions.

Introduction

In this section, you should introduce the research question, explain its significance, and review existing research in the field. Additionally, you may include the research question or hypothesis, as well as an explanation of the study methodology.

Literature Review

The literature review usually examines past research on the issue, highlights major findings, and identifies gaps. In this part, you should conduct a critical literature review and point out the advantages and disadvantages of earlier research.

Methodology

In the methodology section, you should outline the study’s research strategy, data collection methodologies, and analysis approaches. Enough information in this section would allow another researcher to do a similar study.

In this section, you should present the study’s findings clearly and concisely. You may also use tables and figures to display data more visually.

In this part, you should describe how the study results relate to previous research and the research topic. Also, here, you may identify any study limitations and recommend areas for future research.

Summarize the study’s principal findings and reiterate the research question or hypothesis in the research section. Furthermore, in this component, you may briefly explore the implications of the findings and make recommendations for further research.

Here, cite all the sources cited in the research paper using a specific citation style (e.g., APA, MLA). Every reference needs to be precise and comprehensive.

List of the Best English Research Topics

English is a broad subject and so it contains several research topics to focus on. Especially, for English research, you may choose any topic that is related to categories such as drugs, politics, technology, drugs, religion, English literature, gender discrimination, and others.

If you are unsure what topic to choose for your English research paper, make use of the list published below. In the list, you will get 110 exclusive English research questions, titles, and ideas on various themes.

Also read: Learn About Different Language Features in English

Simple English Research Topics

If you wish to craft an error-free English research paper effortlessly, then give preference to any simple topic. These are a few Basic English research ideas that might be convenient for you to analyze and write about.

• Examine the impact of social media on mental health.
• Discuss the importance of symbolism in poetry.
• Examine the role of social capital in community development.
• Discuss the causes and effects of the Great Depression.
• Explain how to enhance racial relations.
• Conduct a literary analysis of ‘The Monk’ written by Matthew Lewis.
• Examine the risks associated with organic food consumption.
• Discuss the importance of imagination in poetry writing.
• Explore the role of digital communication in learning the English language.
• Discuss the effect of the mother tongue on learning the English language.
• Explore the future of renewable energy.
• Discuss the cultural impact of superhero movies in society.
• Explore the importance of storytelling in human communication.
• Explain how mental illness is portrayed in contemporary literature.
• Discuss the psychology of motivation and goal-setting.

Interesting English Research Ideas

Always compose your English research paper on the topic that is interesting to you. By working on your interesting topic, you may precisely present your thoughts and make your paper worthy to read. The following are some topics that might be exciting for you to write your English research paper.

• Analyze the effects of climate change on agriculture.
• Focus on the representation of women in literature.
• Investigate the role of AI in education.
• Explore the role of women in historical events and movements.
• Analyze the impact of books on political issues.
• Examine the correlation between illegal immigration and terrorism.
• Analyze the impact of the English language on other cultures.
• Discuss romantic philosophy in Walt Whitman’s poetry.
• Suggest the best methods to improve speaking attributes.
• Explore how pronunciation varies in various learning cultures.
• Explain the psychology of decision-making.
• Focus on the Cultural Revolution in China.
• Explain how the popular media represents race and ethnicity.
• Examine the social effects of child work.
• Focus on English language acquisition difficulties.

Unique English Research Paper Topics

If you want your English research paper to be noticeable in the crowd, then deal with any topic that was not discussed earlier. Listed below are some unique topics that will help you in drafting an outstanding English research paper.

• Focus on the gender stereotypes in the workplace.
• Analyze the influence of foreshadowing in Gothic literature.
• Examine the effect of income inequality on social mobility.
• Analyze different film techniques.
• Examine the effects of terrorism on business.
• Focus on the evolution of marriage in contemporary culture.
• Discuss the risks of weight training for women.
• Focus on obstacles in modern English literature.
• Investigate the credibility of digital certification.
• Explain how to build interview skills.
• Discuss the use of animation and special effects in modern cinema.
• Take a look at the rise of communism and the Russian Revolution.
• Analyze the psychological and sociological effects of virtual reality technology.
• Explain how dietary misconceptions are hurting health.
• Investigate mercy killing incidents in the USA.

Informative English Research Topics

The English research paper that you compose should provide knowledge to your readers. So, to achieve that, select any topic with educational value. These are some English research questions that will help you in creating an informative academic paper.

• Analyze the ethical implications of artificial intelligence.
• Examine the significance of cryptography in modern society.
• Investigate the impact of the Industrial Revolution on society and culture.
• Discuss the influence of film noir on modern cinema.
• Analyze the impact of texting and mobile devices.
• Examine the negative effects of online dating apps.
• Analyze the effects of the civil rights movement.
• Discuss the Montessori Method of education.
• Explore the role of kinesics in communication.
• Analyze the impact of audiobooks in enhancing learning abilities.
• Focus on the representation of historical events and figures in films.
• Examine the impact of the Age of Exploration on world history.
• Analyze the evolution of science fiction as a literary genre.
• Take a look at the way of life in 18 th -century London.
• Focus on the advantages of studying abroad.

Best English Research Topics for School Students

Are you seeking the best English research ideas for your school assignments? If yes, then take help from the list recommended here. In the list, particularly for students, we have added some outstanding research topics in English.

• Take a look at the role of education in reducing poverty.
• Focus on the theme of identity in Postcolonial literature.
• Examine the causes and effects of the French Revolution.
• Explore the significance of music in films.
• Take a look at the place of technology in economics.
• Examine the adverse impact of doing improper exercises.
• Discuss the correlation between literature and psychology.
• Discuss the legal consequences of plagiarism in academic writing.
• Examine the scope of digital marketing for small businesses.
• Explain how to learn time management skills.

Engaging Topics for English Research

Your English research paper should be engaging and not boring to your readers. Therefore, it is essential to create a research paper on any English topic that has the power to grab the readers’ attention. Here are some awesome English research paper topics that may help you captivate your target audience.

• Analyze the impact of globalization on cultural identity.
• Explore the role of religion in literature.
• Focus on the rise and fall of the Roman Empire.
• Examine the correlation between music and emotions.
• Focus on the modern literary allegories of the Bible.
• Analyze the influence of Europe on global fashion.
• Take a look at stream-of-consciousness writing style.
• Explain how to develop positivity in college students.
• Interpret American English drama.
• Focus on positive learning techniques.

Top English Research Ideas for College Students

In case, you are clueless about what English research topic to choose for your college assignments, explore the list suggested below. For college students, we have provided a few incredible topics worthy of creating a top-score-fetching English research paper.

• Explore the role of arts and culture in building strong communities.
• Examine the impact of war on literature and culture.
• Discuss the Holocaust’s legacy in modern society.
• Focus on the evolution of the fashion industry.
• Examine the negative aspects of a democratic government.
• Discuss the consequences of bioterrorism.
• Take a look at feminist perspectives in English literature.
• Explore the role of leadership in handling real-world issues.
• Analyze the impact of the internet on students’ psychology.
• Examine the effects of tobacco advertising.

Also read: Top 12 Longest Words in the English Language

Educational English Research Ideas

You may create your English research paper from an education perspective. The following are some amazing English research paper topics that will help you widen your learning of the language.

• Provide an analysis of some reliable resources for learning English.
• Examine the challenges non-American students encounter when communicating in English.
• Focus on writing in a stream-of-consciousness style.
• Discuss the role of language in the evolution of society.
• Write about mythology in literature.
• Explain the role of poetry in English literature education.
• Focus on moral principles that can be taught through spoken English conversation.
• Analyze the impact of grammatical faults on English writing skills.
• Examine the use of creativity in poetry composition.
• Recognize the value of the English language for those who are not native speakers.

Popular English Research Topics

You may also develop your English research paper on any of the popular topics presented below. But when you write on a regularly chosen idea, examine it from a different perspective and present new insights to the readers.

• Examine the correlation between language and thought.
• Analyze the effect of cryptocurrency on financial markets.
• Explore the impact of the Cold War on International relations.
• Explain how technology affects health management.
• Analyze the significance of digitalized medical records.
• Analyze the effects of the commercialization of sports.
• Examine the impact of language on society’s development.
• Explain how to boost English communication skills for international students.
• Examine active listening skills.
• Analyze the ethical use of stem cells.

Final Words

Hopefully, all the ideas from the above-suggested list will help you in preparing an excellent English research paper. So, without any hesitation, from the list, pick any topic that is comfortable for you to explore and write about. Remember, to fetch an A+ grade, the English research paper that you compose should be plagiarism-free, error-free, and informative, and it should meet your instructor’s guidelines. Sometimes, you may experience certain difficulties with English research paper topic selection, writing, or editing. During such times, get in touch with us immediately. The assignment experts from our team with strong knowledge of the English language will assist you in completing all the stages of the research paper preparation process.

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101 English Research Paper Topics, Questions and Ideas

English Research Paper Topics and Ideas

When it comes to English, there is no limit to the topics you can research about. English research paper topic is the question you’re going to answer in your paper based on your research. However, choosing an interesting topic that will capture the attention of your readers and show your academic prowess can be challenging. The trick to getting an idea worth writing about which will also give you a good grade is to pick a topic that you’re interested in and that which you have some background knowledge. It must also be narrow yet have adequate research material and be related to the specific class you’re currently taking. If you’re having trouble finding a good research topic, here are helpful tools on how to get started.

How to Select the Best English Research Paper Topics? Here Is the Easiest Way

Knowing how to select the best research paper topic is an essential skill that every student must have. It is crucial not only for English courses but also for other assignment papers that you will need to write. Selecting a great paper topic starts with choosing a topic of interest. You then need to do background research and brainstorm different ideas.

During the research, you also need to note down various keywords which will help you narrow down your topic. Finally, you need to use the why, who, what and when questions to get different aspects of the topic and to create an outline of how your content is going to look like.

Even with all the information, keep in mind the length, due date and makes sure your topic meets all the assignment requirements.  However, don’t be so focused on your topic that you fail to modify it based on the research. In most instances, during the research process, it is normal to find some other aspects of the topic that are more interesting. So be flexible!

List of English Research Paper Topics for All Students

Your ideal paper topic should be written as a thesis statement. The thesis statement should be between one and two sentences. Keep in mind that the title of your paper may not be the same as your thesis statement, but both should convey the purpose and focus of your research. In English literature, there are so many topics at your disposal that it might overwhelm you. The best way to go about choosing your topic is to look at the different categories.

Look at the similarities between the two genres in the story or what are the differences. Is one genre more effective than the other and how each genre is portrayed in the story? You can also explain how a particular genre emerged or literature in current society.

What issues do the characters try to bring out ion the story? Or how are the characters important to the novel and how do they reflect in real society?  These are some of the research topics you can consider.

• Gender Roles

How is the gender portrayed in the story? What are the roles of men and women in the novel? You can examine equality or gender expectations as part of your research topics.

• Culture and Literature

What cultural issues is the book addressing?

• Politics and Religion

In the novel is there any connection between politics and religion? What beliefs is the book promoting?

Interesting 101 English Research Paper Topics

• Role of technology in economics
• Advantages of studying internationally versus locally
• Importance of teamwork collaboration for nurses
• School-based mandatory student drug testing approach work to reduce illicit substance use in adolescents
• Does pissing on demand: workplace drug testing and the rise of the detox industry by Kenneth D. Tunnell advocate for invasiveness?
• Psychological factors that influence consumer choice
• Should Drug testing be mandatory for student-athletes?
• The benefits of drug testing for welfare individuals
• Employee drug testing can result in business productivity
• Biblical allegories in modern literature
• Steinberg display hypocrisy of modern Christianity
• In The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, rose of Sharon’s baby is a symbol of hope or death
• Important themes in The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck and their reflection in today’s society
• Is The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck an educative classic novel or a controversial piece of writing?
• Today’s immigrant can relate to the Joad family in The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
• The issue of accessibility of contraceptives for high school students
• Sexism in the media industry
• Whether or not convicted criminals should be eligible for social welfare
• How hunting can become a necessary means in some cases
• Drawbacks of a democratic political system
• The issue of firearms and whether or not they should be registered with the police
• Effects of gangs in poor urban centers
• The pros and cons of legalizing prostitution
• How early modern treatment of extremes resonate in present-day culture in Excess and the Mean in Early Modern English Literature by Joshua Scodel
• How individual freedom and modern English culture is portrayed in Excess and the Mean in Early Modern English Literature by Joshua Scodel
• How the pleasure of literature can lead to a dark side? Use the book Futile Pleasures: Early Modern Literature and the Limits of Utility by Corey McEleney
• In the book Animal Characters: Nonhuman Beings in Early Modern Literature by Bruce Thomas explain how animal characters relate to the emerging economy and culture of the European Renaissance
• The relationship between literary form and code of conduct in the book Rhetoric and Courtliness in Early Modern Literature by Jennifer Richards
• Importance of digitization of medical records
• The issue of feminist women being too harsh on other women who don’t support the movement
• Life in London in the 18 th century
• Ethical use of stem cells
• Golan Heights and its importance to the Israelites
• Various conflicts that have revolved around the Golan Heights
• The issue of who are the legal occupants of Golan Height
• Strange medieval family laws and their influence on society
• The significance of the little bird in Trifles by Susan Glaspell
• Changes in the role of women from Susan Glaspell’s Trifles
• Use The Monk by Matthew Lewis as a response to formal realism.
• The role of feminine men and masculine men in The Monk by Matthew Lewis
• Feminism in Susan Glaspell’s Trifles
• The role of violence in Victorian society in Dover Beach by Matthew Arnold
• Literary criticism of The Monk by Mathew Lewis
• Sea symbolism in Dover Beach by Matthew Arnold
• How is the Dover Beach by Matthew Arnold a presentation of a changing world?
• Is Susan Glaspell’s trifle the ultimate women suffrage story?
• The Dover Beach by Matthew Arnold is a mockery of the Victorian society
• Compare and contrast the Dover Beach by Matthew Arnold and The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock by T.S Eliot
• The perception of how women love in the legend of La Llorona
• The expectation of women in Marge Piercy’s Barbie Doll
• Unfair treatment of women in the poem A work of Artifice by Marge Piercy
• Discuss the theme of industrialization, corruption, and capitalism using Williams Blake’s London
• London in the eighteenth century by William Blake’s London
• Criticism of gender roles in The Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw
• Social distinction in The Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw
• Dehumanization effects of colonialism in Heart of Darkness by Josef Conrad
• The theme of racism in Heart of Darkness by Josef Conrad
• How the characters portray differences in social class in Pamela by Samuel Richardson
• Teachers using modern technology affect the quality of education
• How modern-day heroes shape young people
• How marriage has changed for modern society
• The link between illegal immigration and terrorism
• The drawbacks of online dating apps
• European influence on fashion in the world
• How myths about eating certain foods are affecting health
• Are UFOS a reality or fiction?
• Pros and Cons of e-learning
• Is bodybuilding only for boosting ego or for health reasons
• The America dream for immigrants and minorities
• How technology is revolutionizing terrorism
• Eliminating the SAT for college admission can make education better
• How the role of women in the military and battlefield has changed?
• How depression affects human behavior
• The genetic link to optimism can shape attitudes. Explain
• Violent discipline by caregivers affects a child’s mental growth
• Therapy and how it can be an effective rehabilitation method for hardcore prisoners
• Secondhand smoke is the major cause of lung cancer deaths
• How alternative medicine for cancer is unsafe
• Children should be taught at school about various types of sexual orientation
• Cybercrime is the new terrorism
• The impact of Bioterrorism
• The refugee crisis is increasing terrorism
• Social media and modeling industry: Is social media making it easy for models to become rich?
• Industrialization and agricultural activities are the greatest contributors to climate change
• Effects of commercialization of sports
• Negative effects of doing the wrong exercises
• Dangers of consuming organic foods
• Dangers of weight lifting on women
• Whether or not sports betting should be regulated
• Should gambling addiction be ranked in the same category as hard drugs?
• Athletes are excelling because of their professional trainers
• The modern pop musician has more influence than musicians of 80s
• The definition of feminism has changed since the 18th century
• Going to music school influences the success of a modern musician
• Tobacco advertising and its effects
• How obsession with healthy eating can drive more people into anorexia
• The link between Social media and suicide for teenagers and youths
• Should it be mandatory for parents to control their kid’s social media accounts
• The civil rights movement and the effects
• Analysis of strategies used to alter consumer attitudes
• Globalization and how it affects the economy

Examples of English Research Paper Questions

One of the main parts of writing English research paper is to define the research paper question. The question often leads to a hypothesis or thesis statement. Good research questions will generally be based on the who, why, how and what type of questions.

For example, what are the main questions that a reader might ask in this topic or what are your opinions about the topic and who is affected by it? How is the culture portrayed in that particular novel or book? Which political values is the novel questioning? What are the differences and similarities between the two characters?

Once you have a couple of various research questions, you can choose the top three questions and use them to generate a thesis statement.  You can then construct your paper around good research questions. If you don’t have a clue what to write, here are a couple of questions to inspire you.

• Is random drug testing in a workplace ethical and necessary?
• Do pharmaceutical companies view Ebola vaccine as unprofitable?
• Has the role of the first lady changed?
• Does motivation play a role in human development?
• Should the use of marijuana be regulated?
• Have the effects of religious cults changed today as compared to those in ancient society?
• Is technology affecting health management?
• Is it ethical to wear fur coats?
• If a college education is made free, will it be more or less qualitative?
• Are standardized tests a good way to evaluate a student’s knowledge?

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Redditors discuss most and least helpful study techniques, how to write dialogue in an essay, many teachers report to build their own curricula, but should they, is average academic performance constantly getting worse redditors share their experience, english 101 research paper topics.

The perennial popularity of English 101 and similar subjects among students is undeniable. This course, which is a requisite for most college majors, aims to enhance students’ abilities in deep reading, information comprehension, analysis, and critical thinking. It also refines their writing skills and cultivates their capacity to organize and structure their thoughts. This holistic development is crucial not only for academic growth as a student or emerging professional but also for overall personal development.

One of the standout elements in this subject is the essay, which has always been and continues to be, the most effective method for assessing student progress. Essays clearly display a student’s evolving skills and allow adjusting teaching methods, if necessary. The significant role of the essay in academia contributes to the enduring appeal of English 101. Consequently, it is one of the most popular subjects for which students seek assistance from an online essay service . Here are some examples of common topics students often request help with.

Most Popular English 101 Essay Topics 2023

English 101 essay topics

How to choose research paper topics for English 101? 

When choosing a research paper topic for English 101, consider what interests you the most, what you are passionate about, or what questions you have about the course materials. Your topic should be related to the course content and broad enough to research but not so broad that it would be impossible to cover in a single paper. Make sure it can be discussed and analyzed comprehensively within the word limit of your assignment.

What are some interesting English 101 research paper topics? 

Interesting English 101 research paper topics can encompass a broad range of subjects. For instance, one could explore the impact of social media on language and communication. Alternatively, a deep dive into the role of symbolism in a specific novel or short story can be insightful. Comparative analysis of two works by the same author can provide intriguing observations while exploring the evolution of a particular literary genre, or the representation of gender or race in a specific literary work can be equally engaging. Also, topics like culture’s influence on language or censorship’s effects on literature hold considerable interest.

How to brainstorm ideas for English 101 research paper topics?

 Start by reviewing your notes from the course. Identify any themes or topics that you found particularly interesting or intriguing. Think about any discussions or lectures that sparked your interest. You could also look at the headlines in relevant academic journals or magazines for ideas. Finally, consider doing some preliminary research on a topic that interests you to see what possible angles might exist.

Can you provide examples of English 101 research paper topics? 

There are numerous exciting topics to consider. One could look at analyzing the use of irony in a specific work of literature or consider the impact of technology on modern literature. The role of the setting in a particular novel or short story could offer fascinating insights, as could an exploration of how a specific author’s life influenced their writing. Another approach could be analyzing how a particular theme is treated in two different works of literature. The influence of historical events on the literature of the time is another rich area to delve into. Finally, a linguistic analysis of a particular dialect or accent could offer a unique perspective.

What are the best practices for researching English 101 paper topics? 

Start with the course materials, including textbooks and lecture notes. Use academic databases to find scholarly articles related to your topic. Keep your research organized by using note cards or a digital tool to record your sources and the information you find. Be sure to evaluate your sources for credibility, relevance, and accuracy.

How to narrow down English 101 research paper topics?

To narrow down your topic, consider focusing on a specific time period, genre, author, or work of literature. You could also narrow your topic by focusing on a specific theme, character, or literary device. Another approach is to analyze a broad topic through a specific lens, such as a cultural, historical, or theoretical perspective.

What are the current trends in English 101 research paper topics?

Current English 101 research paper trends include exploring diversity and representation in literature, the impact of digital media on language, analysis of postmodern literature, and studies on the influence of global events on contemporary literature. However, trends can change rapidly, so it’s always a good idea to check recent publications and conference topics for the most up-to-date trends.

How to write a compelling thesis statement for English 101 research papers? 

A compelling thesis statement should be clear, concise, and specific. It should present your argument or main idea and indicate your paper’s direction. For example, instead of writing, “This paper will discuss symbolism in ‘The Great Gatsby’,” you might write, “F. Scott Fitzgerald uses symbolism in ‘The Great Gatsby’ to critique the American Dream.”

How to conduct thorough research for English 101 paper topics?

Thorough research involves a deep dive into your chosen topic. First, start with your course materials and any recommended readings. This will give you a good foundation and understanding of your topic. Then, use academic databases like JSTOR, Google Scholar, or your university’s library resources to find scholarly articles, books, and other resources related to your topic. Read broadly at first to get a comprehensive understanding of your topic, then gradually focus on more specific sources that directly relate to your thesis statement. Be sure to keep track of your sources for citation purposes and note important points or arguments you come across in your research.

What are the essential elements of a successful English 101 research paper topic?

A successful English 101 research paper topic should be interesting, relevant, and manageable. It should be a topic that you are curious about and interested in studying in depth. It should be relevant to the course and the current state of the field. It should also be manageable in that it can be thoroughly researched and analyzed within the constraints of the assignment, such as the word limit or the time you have to complete the assignment. A successful topic will also have plenty of source material available for you to use in your research.

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• Midway University
• Little Memorial Library
• English 101/102 Research Guide
• Formulate a research topic

English 101/102 Research Guide: Formulate a research topic

• The Research Process
• Find information
• Find Websites
• Find Articles
• Find Print Books & E-Books
• Evaluate information
• Synthesizing information
• Cite Information

Formulating a research topic

Choosing a topic, narrowing your topic.

• Developing your research problem and question
• State your working thesis

The hardest part of research is getting started! Choosing a topic can be intimidating, especially in introductory classes, when you don't really know much about the subject. The most important thing to remember is this: you are doing research, so don't make a statement about what you want to prove and then go looking for evidence to support your claim. Instead, start out with an interest, read some articles on the topic and then take a stance on the subject based on what you have learned.

Here are some tips to get you started:

1. Think about the topics in your class that have interested you so far. Or, if it is the beginning of the semester, think about what you expect the course will cover and what you expect to enjoy about the class. When you added this class, what made you think it might be interesting?

2. Flip through your textbooks and look for chapter titles or subheadings that interest you. Or, look at a magazine or journal (online or in print) in your subject area and look for interesting article.

3. Think about controversies or current events in your subject area. Could they lead to a potential research question? If you don't know any controversies or current events for your subject, Google "Controversies in XYZ," "Disagreements in XYZ," or "Current hot topics in XYX" and see if something you find interests you.

4. Think about what you’re studying in other classes. Are there interesting ways in which they might intersect with or relate to this class?

5. Talk to your classmates. Find out what ideas they’re considering. Talking to each other is a good way to brainstorm and to figure out what interests you.

6. Talk to your instructor. They may have suggestions, or can give you examples of the sort of ideas that have made for good papers for other students.

Some things to consider when choosing a topic:

How long does your paper need to be?

A shorter paper will need a more narrowly focused idea, and a longer paper a broader one.      How much time do you have?

If you have several weeks, it’s likely your instructor is expecting you to do a lot of research.

Do you need a a particular number or type of references?

Scholarly books and articles take time to write and publish, so topics focused narrowly on a very recent event can be problematic.

Once you have a general idea what you want to write about, you need to make sure your topic is narrow enough to be workable. You do not want your topic to be so broad you could write a whole book on it or so narrow you can't find any information.

What is an example of narrowing your topic?

How can you narrow your topic?

1. Ask yourself who, what, where, when, why and how questions about your topic. Using the above "Too Broad" topic as an example, when thinking about teaching reading, we can ask who? (early chapter book readers) and how? (active learning strategies). If we were writing a historical overview of strategies for teaching reading, we might have narrowed our focus by asking "when". Then our topic might have narrowed like this: A comparison of how reading was taught in the 1970's vs 21st century strategies. If we were interested in comparing how reading is taught in other countries, we might have narrowed our topic by asking "where." Then, our topic might have been: Teaching reading in third world countries.

2. Create a mind map. Write down your broad topic in the middle of a piece of paper. Then brainstorm associated ideas. The terms you write down will likely be good directions to take when narrowing your topic. Here is an example:

What is a research question?

Once you have done enough research to narrow your topic to something manageable, you are probably ready to formulate your research question. A Research Question is a statement that identifies the phenomenon to be studied. For example, "Does education play a role in reducing juvenile delinquents' return to crime?" Your research question will drive your research. You will be looking for the answer to your question and that answer will become the thesis statement of your final paper.

Where do you start when formulating a research question?

Start with the topic that your have decided upon and then list all the questions that you'd like answered about it yourself.

What makes a good research question?

1. It is researchable. A question that can be answered with yes/no or a simple fact is not a research question.

2. It is unbiased. A good research question does not lead a researcher to a particular conclusion. It allows for investigation. Conclusions are based on that investigation.

3. It is manageable. "What effects do electronic devices have on people?" is a researchable, unbiased question, but it is not manageable. "Electronic devices" and "people" are too broad. A better question would be, "What effects does television have on children between the ages of 2-10?"

4. It is interesting. Hopefully, you started out with a topic that was interesting to you. Your research question should lead you to investigate something you don't already know about and something you'd like to learn about. Along those same lines, it should be significant to people in general. Your research question should ask an important question. Finally, it should be unique to some degree. Ask yourself, "Has my professor read 100 papers on this topic?" If you fear the answer might be yes, try to think of some unique angle to investigate. This usually leads you to narrow your topic a little further.

Examples of  research questions:

Considering the information above, the following provides examples of flawed research questions as well as questions that are well-designed:

Once you have your research question and you have done some preliminary reading on your topic, you are ready to form your thesis statement. The working thesis should summarize the answer to your main research question, and will likely change after you do some research.

A good thesis statement:

• tells the reader how you will interpret the significance of the subject matter under discussion.
• is a road map for the paper; in other words, it tells the reader what to expect from the rest of the paper.
• directly answers the question asked of you. A thesis is an interpretation of a question or subject, not the subject itself. The subject, or topic, of an essay might be World War II or Moby Dick; a thesis must then offer a way to understand the war or the novel.
• makes a claim that others might dispute.
• is usually a single sentence near the beginning of your paper (most often, at the end of the first paragraph) that presents your argument to the reader. The rest of the paper, the body of the essay, gathers and organizes evidence that will persuade the reader of the logic of your interpretation.
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ENGL 101 English Composition 1

• Research Step 1: Explore Topic Ideas
• Writing Basics
• Research Step 2: Identify Concepts & Keywords
• Research Step 3: Strategize How to Find Sources with Keywords (Books, Articles, & More)
• Research Step 4: Strategize Sources by Information Purpose & Format
• Start with Background Information
• Find Books/Chapters (Print & E-books)
• Find Current News & Analysis in Multimedia and News Sources
• Find Editorials & Opinion
• Find Statistics
• Find a Scholarly Perspective
• Use One Search for All Library Resources
• Find Websites
• Evaluating Sources
• Citing your Sources
• Find help @ GRC
• Environmental Justice Research Guide (One Book 22-24) This link opens in a new window

Getting Started on a Research Project

This page offers some starting places for generating research topic ideas. 

Please keep in mind that research is a process. Exploring ideas is part of that process and can help you take a broad initial interest and hone it into a researchable topic.

Also keep in mind that the topic you ultimately select to research needs to meet your assignment!

Explore Topic Ideas

• Explore Current Issues Databases
• Explore Topics in Current Academic Encyclopedias
• Explore Current Topics in the News Media
• Explore Current Opinion, Editorial, & Debate

Find Ideas in Current Issues Databases

Browse for Topic Ideas in Holman Library's current issues databases.

Return to these databases to gather background information and to get a sense of the range of positions taken on an issue. 

• Note: Be sure to look for sources in other databases as well. Content in Opposing Viewpoints is largely editorial.

How to Explore Gale in Context Databases

Step 1: .

Look over broad topic areas on the homepage. This example illustrates the homepage for enviromental issues in context. (click on image to enlarge)

Step 2: 

Click on a category that interests you - or go right to a topic! The image below show the list of 62 topics under Global Change. (Click on image to enlarge)

How to Explore Ideas in CQ Researcher

Step 1: Explore by Reports, Topics, or Hot Topics. 

• Hot Topics is a list of current short reports
• Reports - select Issue Tracker for a list of Reports by Issue
• Topics - select a broad area of interest and then filter down to topics of interest

click on image to enlarge

Explore Topic Ideas in a Reference Collection

Reference, or Subject Encyclopedias, are a good place to:

• browse for and explore topic ideas
• For example, if I start out with an interest in Global Warming, 

Once you start to learn about your topic, you will use reference sources to get informed about the basic. 

I: Use Gale eBooks Reference to Explore Topic Ideas: 

• GVRL: Browse by Subject Area

Click on an area of interest (click on image to enlarge)

Click on a title that interests you and browse the index for ideas. 

The image below is of a search of the Social Science Collection. I clicked on the title Inequality in America: Causes and Consequences.

(click on image to enlarge)

II: Use Gale eBooks/ GVRL to narrow a broad starting idea

Step 1: type in your starting idea.

(for example, Global Warming) 

Scroll through the list of article titles to gather ideas about global warming you could research.

Click on the filter for Subjects for a list of Subtopics 

Skim through a relevant-looking article for ideas on how to narrow and focus. The excerpt below is from the start of an article on Renewable Energy. Possible subtopics include solar or wind energy and coal production.

Explore Current News & Culture Media for Ideas

In library news databases:.

In Online Soures

• The Seattle Times Washington state's largest circulating newspaper. Print editions available in Holman Library
• The News Tribune Tacoma and regional newspaper, with local and national news section.
• The New York Times (website) Check out the day's news and issues in the online NY Times. Free online access is limited, Full text is available in the library's ProQuest database.
• TED Talks Talks that cover the gamut of current issues. Explore talks by Topic, including Science, Technology, and Business - Or search for a TED Taslk on a specific subject. Be sure to asses: Is the speaker an expert on this topic?
• The Freedom Forum: Today's Front Pages The Freedom Forum is a nonpartisan 501 (c)(3) foundation that fosters First Amendment freedoms for all.
• National Public Radio (NPR) Independent and topical radio news. Be sure to check the long list of programs distributed through NPR.

• Marketplace Radio
• PRX Podcast and Broadcast Multimedia

Explore the Debate on Current Issues

Current issues databases.

Look for Ideas & Arguments in Holman Library Current Issues Databases and in the News.

Viewpoints in Gale In Context Databases

In Gale In Context Databases (Opposing Viewpoints, Global Viewpoints, and Environmental Issues) explore VIEWPOINT essays for topic ideas from a range of perspectives.

• The image below indicates there are 17 Featured Viewpoints and 159 Viewpoints in total on Universal Health Care.

Click on the image to enlarge.

Pro/ Con in CQ Researcher

In CQ Research look for the Pro/ Con section for a mini debate on an issue central to that report.

Newspaper Editorials & Opinions

Explore editorials, opinion, and commentary in the news. To find these sources, at Document Type, select Editorial, Opinion, Commentary. 

Topic Exploration is Research

• << Previous: Writing Basics
• Next: Research Step 2: Identify Concepts & Keywords >>
• Last Updated: Jul 31, 2024 3:50 PM
• URL: https://libguides.greenriver.edu/ENG101

English 101: Finding Topics

• English 101
• Finding Topics
• Keywords and Search Terms
• Library Catalog
• Library Databases
• Internet Searching
• Citing Your Sources
• Scholarly or Popular ?
• Primary or Secondary ?
• Writing Skills
• Library Vocabulary

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE CHOOSING A TOPIC:

• What are the guidelines for the assignment?
• How long (in-depth) is the paper supposed to be? 
• How many sources do you need?
• What types of sources do you need?

Tutorial Videos About Topics

1 minute tutorials from Credo Database:

Login with your MYSVC/Canvas username and password

• How to Select a Topic
• Using Pre-Research to Understand Your Topic
• What to do When Your Topic is Too Broad

Where to find Topics on the Internet

Allsides : Topics & Issues in the news

Pew Research Center : Topics

Tutorial: How to Use CREDO Reference Database

Starting places & background information.

• Some of the sources in this list provide basic details, important names, places, dates, and other factual information.
• Some cover current events or hot-button issues, and many provide lists of topic ideas 
• These sources are good places to look for a topic or to find background information on a topic.

To log-in to these resources from home, use your MySVC/ Canvas username and password

• Biography Reference Center This link opens in a new window Information on hundreds of people from business, politics, art, science and more.
• Credo Reference Database This link opens in a new window Provides online atlases, dictionaries, and specialized encyclopedias. (see tutorial on this page)
• Enciclopedia Universal en Español This link opens in a new window Online Spanish language Encyclopedia
• Encyclopedia Britannica This link opens in a new window Online version of the Encyclopedia Britannica.
• Facts on File: Issues and Controversies This link opens in a new window Covers current events and contemporary issues
• Gale Virtual Reference Library This link opens in a new window Specialized encyclopedias mainly in the social sciences.
• Gale Topic Finder Find new topics or keywords and discover new connections found in the top results.
• << Previous: English 101
• Next: Keywords and Search Terms >>
• Last Updated: Jul 30, 2024 3:07 PM
• URL: https://subjectguides.library.skagit.edu/ENGL101

• How it works

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Introduction

According to siu.edu, English 101 provides students with the rhetorical foundations that prepare them for the demands of academic and professional writing. In this course, students will learn and practice the strategies and processes that successful writers employ as they work to accomplish specific purposes .

Becoming a professional English writer/author is no mean feat. You have to have a command of the English language and learn about a range of strategies and ideas. English 101 course is taken by students in the first semester of their degree programme. Choosing an English 101 dissertation topic can be a little challenging if you are unsure about your areas of interest. Here are some English 101 dissertation topics ideas for you to get started with your dissertation.

These ideas have been developed by our expert writers and you may want to request a short research proposal on your chosen topic. Get help from our experts by completing our simple and easy order form here .

Here is our selection of English 101 dissertation topics that we think will help you achieve the highest academic grade.

Topic 1: English 101: To Develop Writing Skills in School

• Topic 2: Developing Argumentative Writing Skills through English 101

Topic 3: English 101: A Pillar of a School Core Curriculum

Topic 4: the requirement of english 101 in colleges as an introductory writing course, topic 5: the skill of analysis in writing: an understanding through english 101, topic 7: the stages of the writing process: an analysis by english 101, topic 7: english 101: developing the skill of communication in writing, topic 8: creating a strong base of grammar in writing: english 101 an introductory writing course, topic 9: the requirement of introducing english 101 course in eastern countries, topic 10: the importance of course english 101 in higher education.

Also read: Literature dissertation topics , arts dissertation topics and history dissertation topics .

2022 English 101 Research Topics

Topic 1: the role of grammar in english language learning among foreign adolescents in the uk.

Research Aim: This research aims to find the role of grammar in English language learning among foreign adolescents in the UK. It will discover how learning grammar can help them understand English as a second language when they come to the UK. It will find other factors which, in some cases, overpower grammar learning. Moreover, it will identify strategies and methods adopted by schools and other educational institutes to teach grammar and English effectively. Lastly, it will recommend teaching grammar more effectively to improve English learning among immigrant adolescents in the UK.

Topic 2: Impact of English Essay Structure on its Ability to Narrate Story

Research Aim: This study intends to analyze the impact of English essay structure on its ability to narrate the story. It will compare and contrast various essay structures to find out their role in the essay’s effectiveness in conveying messages to the readers. Moreover, it analyzes individuals’ parts to show how changing them can affect the readers’ understanding of the essay. Lastly, it will recommend improving the overall essay structure and individual components for a better essay narration.

Topic 3: English Language and Accents Learning- A Comparative Analysis to Find the Difference Between English and Chinese Language Accents Learning Among Chinese Students

Research Aim: This research compares English and Chinese accent learning among Chinese students. It will show whether it is difficult for Chinese students to adopt various English accents or for other students (Pakistani etc.,) to learn Chinese accents. It will compare different English and Chinese accents spoken across multiple countries. Lastly, it will recommend how international students can adopt various English and Chinese accents worldwide through other effective methods and strategies.

Topic 4: The Relationship Between English Language Speaking and Writing Proficiency Among Children in South Korea

Research Aim: This study finds a relationship between English language speaking and writing proficiency among children in South Korea. It will test an empirical relationship between English language speaking and writing proficiency among children in South Korea from an academic viewpoint. It will find common factors which affect English language speaking and writing ability among children in South Korea. Moreover, it will find strategies and methods adopted by Korean English language instructors to improve English language speaking and writing proficiency among children in South Korea. Lastly, it will recommend improving English language speaking and writing ability among children in South Korea.

Topic 5: Does English Teacher Origin Matter for Student Success in the Exam? Impact of Native vs. Non-Native English Teacher on the Students Test Score

Research Aim: This research analyzes the impact of native vs. non-native English teachers on students’ test scores. It will find how teachers’ backgrounds help them teach more effectively. It will see an empirical relationship between teachers’ background and English test scores such as IELTS, TOFEL, etc. It will assess various methods used by native and non-native English teachers to improve students’ test results. Moreover, it will recommend ways through which tests can be increased drastically.

English 101 Dissertation Research Topics

Research Aim: This dissertation aims to analyse the importance of English 101 to teach elementary writing skills in schools. English 101 provides the necessary knowledge to the students who are keen to develop their writing skills.

Topic 2: Developing Argumentative Writing Skill through English 101

Research Aim: This research paper focuses on how English 101 creates an argumentative writing skills in students. To enter into the vast literary era of writing, students need to develop argumentative writing skills. This not only helps them in improving their writing but also sharpens their intellect for handling healthy debate.

Research Aim: This research paper aims to analyse the significance of English 101 as an essential writing skill in school. It serves as the pillar of the school’s core curriculum. English 101 helps in polishing various writing skills.

Research Aim: This dissertation’s objective is to evaluate the requirement of English 101 in colleges as an introductory writing course. Students often need to develop their writing skills to match their standards with academic writing skills. English 101 can serve the purpose of developing elementary writing skills in a student.

Research Aim: This research paper aims to seek out how English 101 helps develop analysis in writing. The students get the opportunity by the course English 101 to improve their skills of research in writing.

Research Aim: This dissertation aims to analyse the stages or procedures through which English 101 develops writing skills. The stages are pre-writing, writing, and rewriting stages. Every stage is important to shape the student’s writing ability in an appropriate way.

Research Aim: This research paper focuses on the importance of English 101 in developing communication skills in writing. The introductory writing course English 101 helps to create the skill of communication in writing. This can help a student express their view through which they can easily communicate with the reader.

Research Aim: This research paper’s objective is to evaluate the importance of English 101 as an introductory writing course to develop a strong base of grammar in writing. English 101 course helps correct the students’ grammar mistakes, which shapes the knowledge of the student regarding language structure.

Research Aim: This dissertation aims to evaluate the requirement of introducing an English 101 course in Eastern countries. To improve my skills in writing English 101 course is efficient. This introductory course needed to be implemented in schools and colleges as an elementary course.

Research Aim: This dissertation focuses on the importance, of course, English 101 in higher education. English 101 strengthens the base of writing English by developing analysis, argumentation, and communication in writing. This helps in forming a student prepared for composing in higher educational stages.

Topic 11: Developing Prominent Writing: Skill Teaching in English 101

Research Aim: This dissertation paper aims to seek out the possibilities of a student to be a writer in the future through the proper English 101. As the course develops the various skills of writing English and gives an idea of the structure of the language, it can bring out the quality of a writer within a student.

Topic 12: English 101: A Part of General Education Writing Skills

Research Aim: This dissertation focuses on the importance of English 101 as a part of general education writing skills. In western countries, English 101 is treated as an elementary writing skill course, which is necessary for every student to cope with.

Topic 13: The Importance of English 101 in Essay Formation

Research Aim: This research paper aims to analyse the importance of English 101 in essay formation. The student gets the idea in their introductory writing courses on developing an essay with various objectives of purpose, which can draw the reader’s attention.

Topic 14: The future of English 101: A Necessary Course for Writing Skills

Research Aim: This dissertation aims to evaluate the future aspects of the English 101 course in schools and colleges as a necessary subject for writing skill development. The course is essential as it makes the base of writing firm.

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Research 101 (A How-to Guide): Step 1. Choose a topic

• Step 1. Choose a topic
• Step 2. Get background information
• Step 3. Create a search strategy
• Step 4. Find books and e-books
• Step 5. Find articles
• Step 6. Evaluate your sources
• Step 7. Cite your sources

Step 1. Choose a Topic

Choosing an interesting research topic can be challenging.  This video tutorial will help you select and properly scope your topic by employing questioning, free writing, and mind mapping techniques so that you can formulate a research question.

Good Sources for Finding a Topic

• CQ Researcher This link opens in a new window Browse the "hot topics" on the right hand side for inspiration.
• 401 Prompts for Argumentative Writing, New York Times Great questions to consider for argumentative essays.
• ProCon.org Facts, news, and thousands of diverse opinions on controversial issues in a pro-con format.
• Room For Debate, New York Times This website, created by editorial staff from the New York Times, explores close to 1,500 news events and other timely issues. Knowledgeable outside contributors provide subject background and readers may contribute their own views. Great help for choosing a topic!
• US News & World Report: Debate Club Pro/Con arguments on current issues.
• Writing Prompts, New York Times New York Times Opinion articles that are geared toward students and invite comment.

Tips for Choosing a Topic

• Choose a topic that interests you!   
• Pick a manageable topic, not too broad, not too narrow. Reading background info can help you choose and limit the scope of your topic.
• Review lecture notes and class readings for ideas.
• Check with your instructor to make sure your topic fits with the assignment.

Picking your topic IS research!

• Developing a Research Question Worksheet

Mind Mapping Tools

Mind mapping, a visual form of brainstorming, is an effective technique for developing a topic.  Here are some free tools to create mind maps.

• Bubbl.us Free account allows you to save 3 mind maps, download as image or HTML, and share with others.
• Coggle Sign in with your Google account to create maps that you can download as PDF or PNG or share with others.
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ENG 101 - Current Issues / Topics

Eng 101: Current Issues / Topics

This guide is designed to help you complete a research paper about a current or controversial issue in English 101. Follow the steps below in order - each step builds on the one before it, guiding you through the research project. We offer research advice/tips, as well as recommended sources, citation help, etc.

What's in this Guide:

• Next: 1. Getting Started >>
• 1. Getting Started
• 2. Explore Topics and Issues
• 3. Narrow Your Topic
• 4. Find Sources
• 5. Cite Your Sources
• 6. Write Your Annotated Bib
• 7. Write Your Paper

Questions? Ask a Librarian

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113 Great Research Paper Topics

General Education

One of the hardest parts of writing a research paper can be just finding a good topic to write about. Fortunately we've done the hard work for you and have compiled a list of 113 interesting research paper topics. They've been organized into ten categories and cover a wide range of subjects so you can easily find the best topic for you.

In addition to the list of good research topics, we've included advice on what makes a good research paper topic and how you can use your topic to start writing a great paper.

What Makes a Good Research Paper Topic?

Not all research paper topics are created equal, and you want to make sure you choose a great topic before you start writing. Below are the three most important factors to consider to make sure you choose the best research paper topics.

#1: It's Something You're Interested In

A paper is always easier to write if you're interested in the topic, and you'll be more motivated to do in-depth research and write a paper that really covers the entire subject. Even if a certain research paper topic is getting a lot of buzz right now or other people seem interested in writing about it, don't feel tempted to make it your topic unless you genuinely have some sort of interest in it as well.

#2: There's Enough Information to Write a Paper

Even if you come up with the absolute best research paper topic and you're so excited to write about it, you won't be able to produce a good paper if there isn't enough research about the topic. This can happen for very specific or specialized topics, as well as topics that are too new to have enough research done on them at the moment. Easy research paper topics will always be topics with enough information to write a full-length paper.

Trying to write a research paper on a topic that doesn't have much research on it is incredibly hard, so before you decide on a topic, do a bit of preliminary searching and make sure you'll have all the information you need to write your paper.

#3: It Fits Your Teacher's Guidelines

Don't get so carried away looking at lists of research paper topics that you forget any requirements or restrictions your teacher may have put on research topic ideas. If you're writing a research paper on a health-related topic, deciding to write about the impact of rap on the music scene probably won't be allowed, but there may be some sort of leeway. For example, if you're really interested in current events but your teacher wants you to write a research paper on a history topic, you may be able to choose a topic that fits both categories, like exploring the relationship between the US and North Korea. No matter what, always get your research paper topic approved by your teacher first before you begin writing.

113 Good Research Paper Topics

Below are 113 good research topics to help you get you started on your paper. We've organized them into ten categories to make it easier to find the type of research paper topics you're looking for.

Arts/Culture

• Discuss the main differences in art from the Italian Renaissance and the Northern Renaissance .
• Analyze the impact a famous artist had on the world.
• How is sexism portrayed in different types of media (music, film, video games, etc.)? Has the amount/type of sexism changed over the years?
• How has the music of slaves brought over from Africa shaped modern American music?
• How has rap music evolved in the past decade?
• How has the portrayal of minorities in the media changed?

Current Events

• What have been the impacts of China's one child policy?
• How have the goals of feminists changed over the decades?
• How has the Trump presidency changed international relations?
• Analyze the history of the relationship between the United States and North Korea.
• What factors contributed to the current decline in the rate of unemployment?
• What have been the impacts of states which have increased their minimum wage?
• How do US immigration laws compare to immigration laws of other countries?
• How have the US's immigration laws changed in the past few years/decades?
• How has the Black Lives Matter movement affected discussions and view about racism in the US?
• What impact has the Affordable Care Act had on healthcare in the US?
• What factors contributed to the UK deciding to leave the EU (Brexit)?
• What factors contributed to China becoming an economic power?
• Discuss the history of Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies  (some of which tokenize the S&P 500 Index on the blockchain) .
• Do students in schools that eliminate grades do better in college and their careers?
• Do students from wealthier backgrounds score higher on standardized tests?
• Do students who receive free meals at school get higher grades compared to when they weren't receiving a free meal?
• Do students who attend charter schools score higher on standardized tests than students in public schools?
• Do students learn better in same-sex classrooms?
• How does giving each student access to an iPad or laptop affect their studies?
• What are the benefits and drawbacks of the Montessori Method ?
• Do children who attend preschool do better in school later on?
• What was the impact of the No Child Left Behind act?
• How does the US education system compare to education systems in other countries?
• What impact does mandatory physical education classes have on students' health?
• Which methods are most effective at reducing bullying in schools?
• Do homeschoolers who attend college do as well as students who attended traditional schools?
• Does offering tenure increase or decrease quality of teaching?
• How does college debt affect future life choices of students?
• Should graduate students be able to form unions?

• What are different ways to lower gun-related deaths in the US?
• How and why have divorce rates changed over time?
• Is affirmative action still necessary in education and/or the workplace?
• Should physician-assisted suicide be legal?
• How has stem cell research impacted the medical field?
• How can human trafficking be reduced in the United States/world?
• Should people be able to donate organs in exchange for money?
• Which types of juvenile punishment have proven most effective at preventing future crimes?
• Has the increase in US airport security made passengers safer?
• Analyze the immigration policies of certain countries and how they are similar and different from one another.
• Several states have legalized recreational marijuana. What positive and negative impacts have they experienced as a result?
• Do tariffs increase the number of domestic jobs?
• Which prison reforms have proven most effective?
• Should governments be able to censor certain information on the internet?
• Which methods/programs have been most effective at reducing teen pregnancy?
• What are the benefits and drawbacks of the Keto diet?
• How effective are different exercise regimes for losing weight and maintaining weight loss?
• How do the healthcare plans of various countries differ from each other?
• What are the most effective ways to treat depression ?
• What are the pros and cons of genetically modified foods?
• Which methods are most effective for improving memory?
• What can be done to lower healthcare costs in the US?
• What factors contributed to the current opioid crisis?
• Analyze the history and impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic .
• Are low-carbohydrate or low-fat diets more effective for weight loss?
• How much exercise should the average adult be getting each week?
• Which methods are most effective to get parents to vaccinate their children?
• What are the pros and cons of clean needle programs?
• How does stress affect the body?
• Discuss the history of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.
• What were the causes and effects of the Salem Witch Trials?
• Who was responsible for the Iran-Contra situation?
• How has New Orleans and the government's response to natural disasters changed since Hurricane Katrina?
• What events led to the fall of the Roman Empire?
• What were the impacts of British rule in India ?
• Was the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki necessary?
• What were the successes and failures of the women's suffrage movement in the United States?
• What were the causes of the Civil War?
• How did Abraham Lincoln's assassination impact the country and reconstruction after the Civil War?
• Which factors contributed to the colonies winning the American Revolution?
• What caused Hitler's rise to power?
• Discuss how a specific invention impacted history.
• What led to Cleopatra's fall as ruler of Egypt?
• How has Japan changed and evolved over the centuries?
• What were the causes of the Rwandan genocide ?

• Why did Martin Luther decide to split with the Catholic Church?
• Analyze the history and impact of a well-known cult (Jonestown, Manson family, etc.)
• How did the sexual abuse scandal impact how people view the Catholic Church?
• How has the Catholic church's power changed over the past decades/centuries?
• What are the causes behind the rise in atheism/ agnosticism in the United States?
• What were the influences in Siddhartha's life resulted in him becoming the Buddha?
• How has media portrayal of Islam/Muslims changed since September 11th?

Science/Environment

• How has the earth's climate changed in the past few decades?
• How has the use and elimination of DDT affected bird populations in the US?
• Analyze how the number and severity of natural disasters have increased in the past few decades.
• Analyze deforestation rates in a certain area or globally over a period of time.
• How have past oil spills changed regulations and cleanup methods?
• How has the Flint water crisis changed water regulation safety?
• What are the pros and cons of fracking?
• What impact has the Paris Climate Agreement had so far?
• What have NASA's biggest successes and failures been?
• How can we improve access to clean water around the world?
• Does ecotourism actually have a positive impact on the environment?
• Should the US rely on nuclear energy more?
• What can be done to save amphibian species currently at risk of extinction?
• What impact has climate change had on coral reefs?
• How are black holes created?
• Are teens who spend more time on social media more likely to suffer anxiety and/or depression?
• How will the loss of net neutrality affect internet users?
• Analyze the history and progress of self-driving vehicles.
• How has the use of drones changed surveillance and warfare methods?
• Has social media made people more or less connected?
• What progress has currently been made with artificial intelligence ?
• Do smartphones increase or decrease workplace productivity?
• What are the most effective ways to use technology in the classroom?
• How is Google search affecting our intelligence?
• When is the best age for a child to begin owning a smartphone?
• Has frequent texting reduced teen literacy rates?

How to Write a Great Research Paper

Even great research paper topics won't give you a great research paper if you don't hone your topic before and during the writing process. Follow these three tips to turn good research paper topics into great papers.

#1: Figure Out Your Thesis Early

Before you start writing a single word of your paper, you first need to know what your thesis will be. Your thesis is a statement that explains what you intend to prove/show in your paper. Every sentence in your research paper will relate back to your thesis, so you don't want to start writing without it!

As some examples, if you're writing a research paper on if students learn better in same-sex classrooms, your thesis might be "Research has shown that elementary-age students in same-sex classrooms score higher on standardized tests and report feeling more comfortable in the classroom."

If you're writing a paper on the causes of the Civil War, your thesis might be "While the dispute between the North and South over slavery is the most well-known cause of the Civil War, other key causes include differences in the economies of the North and South, states' rights, and territorial expansion."

#2: Back Every Statement Up With Research

Remember, this is a research paper you're writing, so you'll need to use lots of research to make your points. Every statement you give must be backed up with research, properly cited the way your teacher requested. You're allowed to include opinions of your own, but they must also be supported by the research you give.

#3: Do Your Research Before You Begin Writing

You don't want to start writing your research paper and then learn that there isn't enough research to back up the points you're making, or, even worse, that the research contradicts the points you're trying to make!

Get most of your research on your good research topics done before you begin writing. Then use the research you've collected to create a rough outline of what your paper will cover and the key points you're going to make. This will help keep your paper clear and organized, and it'll ensure you have enough research to produce a strong paper.

What's Next?

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Want to know the fastest and easiest ways to convert between Fahrenheit and Celsius? We've got you covered! Check out our guide to the best ways to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit (or vice versa).

These recommendations are based solely on our knowledge and experience. If you purchase an item through one of our links, PrepScholar may receive a commission.

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Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries.

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Research Guides

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• Topic Generation from Background Reading

Databases for Finding Articles

Why find articles, more information on searching academic search complete or any ebscohost database.

• Evaluating Articles
• Distinguishing Scholarly Articles
• Evaluating Websites
• Citing Your Sources This link opens in a new window
• Finding an Article with the Citation
• Books & Videos
• How Do I...? FAQ
• Other Library Tutorials This link opens in a new window
• For High School Students

These databases contain articles on virtually all topics .

• Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCOhost) This link opens in a new window Academic journals, magazines, periodicals, reports, books, and videos in all subjects.

If you are researching an education issue , try one of these databases...

• Education Research Complete (EBSCOhost) This link opens in a new window Journals and magazines along with books and conference papers. Coverage dates vary, but a few titles go back to 1975.

Not finding useful results? You may need to try a different subject-specific database. See http://research.ewu.edu for guides for all of our majors, or Databases A-Z and limit to a subject, for databases tagged for that particular subject. Or ask your librarian for database recommendations.

Articles from published periodicals (magazines, journals and newspapers) are the best source for detailed information on a topic. Articles tend to be about narrower, more focused issues than books. Also, you are guaranteed that the information published in periodicals has gone through an editorial process, and someone is accountable for the information. There are several different types of articles.

• Not scholarly: news articles, editorials or commentaries; all articles in popular magazines, and trade magazines/trade journals (these two terms are used interchangeably).
• Scholarly: research-based articles and review articles, published in academic, peer-reviewed journals. 

What do we mean by “not scholarly”?

Not scholarly means that the articles are not research-based and usually written by journalists, not academics. You aren’t likely to find references to other sources.

Types of non-scholarly articles and publications

• News articles -- more objective, factually based articles written by journalists and found in newspapers or magazines. You could think of them as the “first draft of history”.
• Editorials or commentaries -- opinion-based articles, rather than a balanced, more objective piece.
• Popular magazines -- magazines aimed at a broad audience.
• Trade magazines or trade journals -- magazines aimed at a particular audience, such as people employed in a particular profession.

What do we mean by "scholarly"?

Scholarly means that the articles are written by experts in the field and will contain references or a bibliography of the sources consulted. There are two main types of scholarly articles.

• Research articles -- the author(s) have done original research and are writing up their findings
• Review articles -- the author(s) are critically reviewing other people's original research to synthesize what is known about the issue. These articles are extremely useful to understanding your topic!

See the tab Distinguising Scholarly Articles for more detailed information in determining if an article is scholarly.

Basic Search Tips for Any Library Database

• Exact phrases "in quotes" -- “higher education”
• Use or for synonyms if you want either term to be present -- athletics or sports
• Use and if you want all of the terms to be present -- "higher education" and "student athletes"
• Use an * on the root form of a word to find any version of the root word with different endings -- universit* to find university or universities

Searching an EBSCOhost Database

Let's say you are interested in finding articles about the impact ebooks have on literacy in children. Let's try the education database Education Research Complete.

Type in your search terms.

• Put one concept per box, with an or in between synonyms.
• Type in one term or a “simple phrase”. Do not type in a string of words or an entire sentence.

We have 159 results -- we can narrow further. The database wants to help us narrow down. Note the various limiters on the left side:

• by Source Type : academic journals (scholarly) vs. magazines or newspapers
• by Subject: Major Heading ( electronic books and literacy look useful) -- NOTE: narrow by subject one at a time, rather than checking both at once!

If the articles seem too specific or too technical, try narrowing to magazine articles .

Reviewing Your Results

Get more info: For more information about the article, such as a summary, click on the hyperlinked title, or hover over the magnifying glass icon next to the title.

Re-sort the results: These results are by relevance, or which ones have our keywords the most frequently. You can change to by date if you wish. Note length of the article: How many pages is it? If it’s less than 1 page (1/3p or 1/8p), it’s probably not worth your time.

Finding the Full Text

Clicking the Check for Full Text button in the databases brings up a screen like this...

Step 1:  If the  article is available online , it will say  Fulltext available  at the top. (It looks like a hyperlink, but it is a link to take you to the page you're already on.) Under  View It,  you will see links to the databases that have the article. In the example above the article is available in Elsevier ScienceDirect Journals Complete.

Step 2:  If the  article is not available full text , it will say  Check availability . To see if we have it in print or microfilm, scroll down and click  Find in a Library . If we do have at least one issue of the source, it will give you the holdings record for that source (date range held, location, and call number).

Step 3:  If the article is not available full text, and we do not have it in print/microfilm, click the link  Request this article using Interlibrary Loan  (in the middle under  Can't find it?  -- see image above). You will need to log in using your NetID/SSO. Verify that the fields were filled out correctly and click the red Submit Request button. Articles usually take around 5 days. You will be notified via your EWU email that the article is available for you to download. (Directions are in the email.) 

Save Relevant Articles

When you find articles you would like to examine further, click the link Add to Folder . Once you are finished, click Folder View in the gold Folder has items box on the right side of the screen. You can email all the results to yourself.

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ENG 101 English Composition: Research Databases

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• Tutorials: The Research Process
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OwlSearch: HCC Library's "Discovery Tool"

• Advanced Search

HCC Library's discovery tool for searching simultaneously all of the Library's databases, ebook and streaming video collections, and the library catalog.

Reference/Background Info. Databases

These databases provide ESSAYS and BACKGROUND INFO on topics. They can be a good first-step to directing your research topic and becoming more informed of the issues related to the topic.

• Opposing Viewpoints in Context This link opens in a new window Provides pro and con viewpoint essays, reference info., as well as news, magazine, & journal articles on popular social issues.
• Global Issues in Context This link opens in a new window Global perspectives on issues of international importance and current world events in the news.
• Gale Ebooks This link opens in a new window A single source for eReference aimed at students, researchers, professionals, and general readers. It offers thousands of titles from more than 100 publishers covering the most-studied subject areas on one platform.
• CQ Researcher Online This link opens in a new window Explores "hot" issues in the news each week. Topics range from social and teen issues to environment, health, education, and science and technology
• Infobase Learning Portal This link opens in a new window Portal to Bloom's Literary Reference Online, Issues & Controversies and Films on Demand.
• Science in Context This link opens in a new window Features authoritative information for assignments and projects, and provides detailed coverage of popular subjects. From earth science and life science, to space, technology, mathematics and science history.
• Oxford English Dictionary This link opens in a new window This is an online version of the massive, multi-volume dictionary. Modern as well as historical definitions of words are given. Every three months, new additions are added and revisions are made.

Databases for In-Depth Research

These databases contain full-text JOURNAL & MAGAZINE ARTICLES . There are many more, but these are a select few that cover various subject areas that often pertain to Eng. 101 research topics. Please ask a librarian for additional recommendations if these do not cover your topic area.

You can view all of the HCC databases .

• Academic Search Premier This link opens in a new window Covers many different subjects, especially current/"hot" social issues. A good database to try first.
• Art & Architecture Source This link opens in a new window Covers a broad range of subjects in the arts, including music, fine arts, decorative and commercial art, and architecture.
• Business Source Premier This link opens in a new window Provides full text for nearly 3300 scholarly business journals covering management, economics, finance, accounting, international business and much more.
• Criminal Justice Database This link opens in a new window Criminal justice and law enforcement
• Education Database This link opens in a new window Offers in depth information on myriad educational topics from nearly 400 leading journals in the field. The database covers not only literature on primary, secondary, and higher education but also special education, home schooling, adult education, and hundreds of related topics.
• Environment Complete This link opens in a new window Offers deep coverage in areas of agriculture, ecosystem ecology, energy, natural resources, marine & freshwater science, geography, pollution & waste management, environmental technology, environmental law, public policy, social impacts, urban planning, and more. It contains full text for 400 journals and 80 monographs.
• ERIC This link opens in a new window Teaching & education-related journal articles
• GreenFILE This link opens in a new window Offers well-researched information covering all aspects of human impact to the environment. Its collection of scholarly, government and general-interest titles includes content on global warming, green building, pollution, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, recycling, and more.
• JSTOR This link opens in a new window Humanities, arts, and sciences journals.
• Military & Government Collection This link opens in a new window Provides full text for nearly 300 military related periodicals and general interest magazines.
• Psychology Database This link opens in a new window Psychology journal articles
• Social Science Database This link opens in a new window Search full-text periodicals covering the social sciences.
• SocINDEX with Full Text This link opens in a new window Sociology & social issues
• Sociology Database This link opens in a new window

In-depth databases STEM

• Biological Science Database This link opens in a new window Search full-text journals in the life sciences.
• Career & Technical Education Database This link opens in a new window Vocational & career-related articles
• CINAHL Plus with Full Text This link opens in a new window Health & nursing-related topics
• Computer Science Database This link opens in a new window Search top computing journals in full text for research on subjects such as database design, software development, web commerce, LANs, WANs, Intranets, and the Internet.
• Environment Complete This link opens in a new window Environmental sciences, geography, agriculture, ecology, and related fields.
• Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition This link opens in a new window Scholarly full text journals focusing on many medical disciplines
• Science Database This link opens in a new window Search full text and images for the leading periodicals in science and technology. Subject coverage includes computers, engineering, physics, telecommunications, and transportation.
• Nursing & Allied Health Source This link opens in a new window This database is designed to meet the needs of researchers at health-care facilities as well as students enrolled in nursing programs at academic institutions. Search full-text journals and dissertations in ProQuest Nursing & Allied Health Source alongside Systematic Reviews, Evidence Summaries, and Best Practice Information Sheets from the renowned Joanna Briggs Institute.

Search Tips

When searching databases, follow these tips:

• Think about  what words would be used in an article on your topic. Use these words in your search statements. 
• Use quotation marks around phrases, e.g., "video games".
• Using AND will retrieve articles only if they contain all of your keywords. Ex., "video games" AND violence will retrieve articles only if they pertain to both video games and violence.
• Using OR will retrieve articles that contain either of your keywords. Ex., "video games" OR "online games" will retrieve articles that use either term.
• Using NOT will eliminate terms. Ex., "video games" NOT Wii will eliminate articles that contain the word "Wii."
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ENGL 101 Research Guide: Choosing a Topic

• Information Literacy Lessons
• Sample Advertisement
• Library Catalogs
• Research Databases (General)
• Choosing a Topic

Definitions

• Subject Specific Databases
• Statistical Information
• MLA Citation Style
• Annotated Bibliography
• Socrative Login

Databases and Web Resources for Generating Topic Ideas

• ProCon.org ProCon is a private, nonprofit organization that provides nonpartison information about controversial issues.
• Points of View Reference Center The Points of View Reference Center helps you identify paper topics topics and the different points of view within them.
• New York Times Topics This is a list of current topics and links to articles on these topics from the New York Times.
• SIRS Researcher The SIRS Researcher contains short essays that present different and often clashing sides on an issue. This is another useful resource for generating topic ideas.

Idea Generation Techniques

• Silent writing technique for generating ideas Brief description of the silent writing technique used to generate ideas without the limitations of brainstorming.
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English 101 and 102: Topic Development

• Topic Development
• Evaluating information
• Finding Articles
• Finding Books
• Plagiarism, Sample Papers, etc.
• Documentation, citations, and so forth

Identify a Topic

Identifying a topic to research is the first step in the research process. But settling on a subject for your research paper can be a bit overwhelming. Here are a few helpful tips.

• Select a topic based on your interests. What are you curious about? What are you passionate about socially or politically? Is there a subject you are not familiar with and want to know more about? Is there a mystery you would like to explore?
• As you begin to think about a variety of interests, write down keywords/concepts of interests that may help you build a more focused topic. Consider related or synonymous words with your topic or search phrase. For example, if part of your research topic includes "assessment" and  you are not finding a lot of content using the word "assessment" try "evaluation".
• Once you have narrowed your choices to a small number, read about the topics in an encyclopedia. This will give you an overview of each topic, discover some additional information that may peak your interest, identify additional words to help describe your topic and locate additional sources when you begin searching more seriously. Use indexes to magazines, journals, or newspapers to search for articles related to your topic. Try searching the web as well to find sites related to your topic.
• Geography (for example: ...poverty in Southern Appalachia)
• Timeframe or period of time (examples: last 5 years or during the Depression Era)
• Culture  (for example: the Christian point of view)
• Population (examples: college students or senior citizens)
• Discipline (for example: environmental regulations affecting the economics of...)
• If your topic is recent very little information has been written about the subject
• If it is a local topic the sources of information will be few
• A popular celebrity may only be found in magazines which are often written by contributors. If you are required to use scholarly articles this will be a problem.
• Turn your research topic into a research question or turn your research question into a topic sentence. Why? When you define your topic as a research question you may have more questions about the topic. When you turn your research question into a topic sentence you may identify more concepts which will help you build a more focused research question or a more manageable topic.
• Finally, do some more research on your topic. Go back to the list of keywords  and search the library's catalog, databases, and the internet. Are you finding enough information on the topic you are close to selecting?
• It may even help to construct a Thesis Statement. This statement should convey what question is being answered, what is being proven, or what you are informing your readers about.

Resource Recommendation

• CQ Researcher

If you are assigned a Pro and Con paper this resource provides in-depth analysis on controversial or debatable issues covering a wide range of topics.  CQ Researcher contains scholarly and popular references, including photos, graphs, a "pro-con" section, and historical background on a topic.

• Wikipedia  

While this resource is not recommended by your professor, it does provide some basic reference to a topic, giving you definitions, historical background, names, dates, and more. Once you’ve gathered some basic information and ideas you’ll want to search for credible scholarly materials.

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English and American Literature

• Dictionaries, Encyclopedias, and Histories
• Finding Books
• Historical Periodicals
• Digital Collections (NYU subscription)
• Digital Collections and Digital Humanities projects (open access)
• Literary Criticism
• Biographies
• Publishing and Bibliographies
• Book Reviews
• Citing Sources
• MLA Style and Citation Management Tools
• Special Collections and Archives
• Faculty / PhD resources
• English 101 resources

Subject Guide

Ask a Librarian via email , text us at +1-646-265-1342, or schedule an appointment .

Problem with an e-resource? Fill out this form.

If you're taking English 101 at NYU, this page is designed to introduce you to some of the resources you'll use most often. Feel free to explore the rest of this guide for a sense of what other tools and materials the NYU Libraries have to offer. And if you find this guide useful, remember that we have library research guides for many subjects. Check them out here:

• Research Guides Homepage

Using the NYU Libraries' catalog

The NYU Libraries' catalog allows you to search for books and book-length materials in our collections. It now also includes many of our online databases, allowing you to view articles and other materials in your search.

• NYU Libraries' catalog
• Online tutorial: Find books, articles, and more with One Search

Using databases for literature research

Library databases help you find online content that the NYU Libraries subscribe to. Below are some of the databases you'll find most useful for literature research. You can get to these and other databases via the Articles & Databases tab from the main NYU Libraries website; note that we have a longer list of databases for English literature listed there.

For more guidance, see the Finding Articles via Databases section of this guide .

• Literature Online (LION) This link opens in a new window Literature Online includes full text of literary works in English from the Middle Ages to the twentieth century. It also includes the Annual Bibliography of English Language and Literature, together with biographic and bibliographic reference materials for each author. More information less... A fully searchable library of more than 350,000 works of English and American poetry, drama and prose. LION is the single most extensive and wide-ranging online collection of English and American literature.Resources included in this resource are: Bibliographies Biographies Columbia Companion to the 20th Century American Short Story Columbia Dictionary of Modern European Literature Columbia Dictionary of Modern Literary and Cultural Criticism Concise Oxford Companion to English Literature Concise Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms Encyclopedia of African Literature Encyclopedia of American Poetry: The Nineteenth Century Encyclopedia of Latin American and Caribbean Literature, 1900-2003 Encyclopedia of Linguistics (2 vols.) Encyclopedia of the Novel Handbook of African American Literature New Princeton Encyclopedia of Poetry and Poetics Oxford Companion to Irish Literature Penguin Classics Introductions Routledge Encyclopedia of Narrative Theory Routledge Encyclopedia of Post-Colonial Literatures in English (2nd Edition)
• Literature Resource Center This link opens in a new window Literature Resource Center offers biographical and other background information for research on literary topics, authors, and their works. Its coverage includes all genres and disciplines, all time periods, and all regions of the world. Literature Resource Center's content comes from the Dictionary of Literary Biography, Contemporary Authors, Contemporary Literary Criticism, and more, including full text of selected poems, plays, and short stories.
• JSTOR This link opens in a new window JSTOR provides access to scholarly journals, primarily in the humanities and social sciences. In addition to journal articles, users can access book chapters, ebooks, and primary source documents.

Using the MLA International Bibliography

What Is the MLA International Bibliography? (on EBSCO) from MLA International Bibliography on Vimeo .

This video, created by the editors of the MLA International Bibliography, offers a three-minute introduction to the MLAIB. Closed captioning is available through the Vimeo platform. No transcript is available.

This video is one of many MLA International Bibliography tutorials available on the MLA's own website.

Using NYU Special Collections

NYU's Special Collections Center , located on the second floor of Bobst Library, houses rare, unique, and historic materials, including the Fales Library of British and American Literature . See the Special Collections section of this guide for more details.

English 101 presentation slides

• English 101 library visit slides, spring 2024 Slides from the spring 2024 English 101 library session.
• English 101 library visit slides, fall 2023 Slides from the Fall 2023 English 101 library session.
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ENGL 102 - Research Papers

• Planning Your Research
• Library Database Search
• Primo Search
• Credible Web Sources
• Cite Your Sources

Chat with a Librarian

Have deeper questions book a research appointment, class handouts.

• ENGL 102 Class Handout
• Download/print a blank keyword table here.
• Diverse Perspectives Checklist (Example 1)
• Diverse Perspectives Checklist (Example 2)
• Diverse Perspectives Checklist (Fillable)

Research Tip: Know your requirements!

Read your instructor's assignment. Make a mental note of certain requirements, such as:

• Number of required sources
• Variety of sources (peer-reviewed, scholarly, popular, personal interview, etc.)
• Number of written pages
• Citation style

Research Tip: What should I research?

Choosing a research topic is often challenging!  Here are some ideas for picking a topic.

• Explore a topic from a personal experience.
• Watch a TED Talk video for cutting edge research ideas.
• Browse through the library's e-magazines on Flipster  for a story and topic that interest you.

Picking your topic is research!

Choosing a topic is the first and most important step of any research paper. This video from North Carolina State University helps outline this process.

Concept Mapping: What are the Advantages?

• Allows flexibility and creativity
• Free flowing, visual representation of your ideas
• Can help narrow down your topic by focusing and developing a single branch from the broad topic
• Can be adapted and revised as you do more research

Concept Mapping: What Does It Look Like?

The video below was created by Penn State University Libraries to explain the process of concept mapping for a research paper.

Research Tip: Start with simple sources.

At times, it may be challenging to come up with keywords or avoid our own biases. Reading an overview article about the topic can help guide your research. Below are some Molstead Library subscription databases to help you find background information on your subject.

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ENGL 101: Academic Writing: How to write a research paper

• Research Tools
• How to evaluate resources
• How to write a research paper
• Occupational Resources

How to write a research paer

Understand the topic, what is the instructor asking for, who is the intended audience, choosing a topic.

• General Research

Books on the subject

Journal articles, other sources, write the paper.

You've just been assigned by your instructor to write a paper on a topic. Relax, this isn't going to be as bad as it seems. You just need to get started. Here are some suggestions to make the process as painless as possible. Remember, if you have any questions ASK .

Is the assignment a formal research paper where you have to do research and cite other sources of information, or is the assignment asking you for your reaction to a particular topic where all you will need to do is collect your thoughts and organize them coherently. If you do need to research your topic, make sure you know what style manual your instructor prefers (MLA, APA, Chicago, etc).

Make sure you keep track of any restrictions that your instructor places on you. If your instructor wants a 4 page paper, they won't be happy with a 2 page paper, or a 10 page paper. Keep in mind that the instructor knows roughly how long it should take to cover the topic. If your paper is too short, you probably aren't looking at enough materials. If you paper is too long, you need to narrow your topic. Also, many times the instructor may restrict you to certain types of resources (books written after 1946, scholarly journals, no web sites). You don't want to automatically lessen your grade by not following the rules. Remember the key rule, if you have any questions ask your instructor!

You will also need to know which audience that you are writing for. Are you writing to an audience that knows nothing about your topic? If so you will need to write in such a way that you paper makes sense, and can be understood by these people. If your paper is geared to peers who have a similar background of information you won't need to include that type of information. If your paper is for experts in the field, you won't need to include background information.

If you're lucky, you were given a narrow topic by your instructor. You may not be interested in your topic, but you can be reasonably sure that the topic isn't too broad. Most of you aren't going to be that lucky. Your instructor gave you a broad topic, or no topic at all and you are going to have to choose the specific topic for your paper.

There are some general rules that you can use to help choose and narrow a topic. Does a particular topic interest you? If you are excited by a particular field, choose a topic from that field. While doing research you will learn more about the field, and learn which journals are written for your topic. Are you answering a relevant question? You and your instructor are going to be bored if you are writing a paper on the hazards of drunken driving. However, it might be more interesting to write about what causes people to drink and drive. The more interesting your topic the more you will enjoy and learn from writing your paper. You may also want to focus on a specific point of view about the topic, such as what teenagers think the causes of drunken driving are.

Do General Research

Now that you have a topic, it is time to start doing research. Don't jump to the card catalog and the indexes yet. The first research that you want to do is some general research on your topic. Find out what some of the terms used in the field are. You will also find that this research can help you further define you topic.

One source of general research is a general encyclopedia. Depending on the encyclopedia, at the end of each entry there may be a bibliography of suggested works. Good encyclopedias to consult are Encyclopedia Britannica , Encyclopedia Americana, and World Book.

You will also want to check to see if your topic is in a field that has a subject Encyclopedia, a Subject Handbook, or a Subject Dictionary. These guides contain information about a wide variety of topics inside a specific field. Generally the information in more detailed that what is contained in a general encyclopedia. Also the bibliographies are more extensive.

Find further information

Now that we have some background information on our topic; we need to find information about our specific topic. Before searching, ask yourself what type of information you are looking for. If you want to find statistical information, you will need to look in certain types of sources. If you are looking for news accounts of an event, you will need to look in other types of sources. Remember, if you have a question about what type of source to use, ask a librarian.

Have you asked your instructor for suggestions on where to look? Why not? This person is experienced in the field, and they have been doing research in it longer than you have. They can recommend authors who write on your topic, and they can recommend a short list of journals that may contain information on your topic.

Books are one type of resource that you can use for your research. To find a book on your topic, you will need to use the online catalog, the CamelCat . Taking the list of keywords that you created while doing general research, do keyword searches in the catalog. Look at the titles that are being returned, do any look promising? If none do, revise your search using other keywords. If one does, look at the full record for that book. Check the subject headings that it is cataloged by. If one of those headings looks pertinent to your research, do a subject search using that particular heading.

Once you've got the books that you want to use start evaluating whether the book will be useful. Is it written by an author who is knowledgeable about that particular topic? Is the author qualified to write about the topic? What biases does the author have about the topic? Is the book current enough to contain useful information?

Once you've answered these questions, use the books that you deem useful for your research. Remember while taking notes to get the information that you need to do a proper citation. Also, pay attention to any bibliographies that are included in the book. These can help you locate other books and articles that may be useful for your research.

The Campbell University Libraries subscribe to a wide variety of Indexes and Journals for the use of students and faculty. Increasingly these materials are provided as Electronic Databases. These databases contain citations of articles and in some cases the full text of articles on a variety of topics. If you don't know which database will be useful for you, ask a librarian and they will be happy to assist you. You can also use the Find Articles link to search multiple databases at one time for information on your topic.

Once you've selected a database to use, use the keywords that you developed from your general research to find articles that will be useful for you. Once you've found one, see which terms the database used to catalog the article and use those terms to find more articles. Don't forget to set limits on the database so that only scholarly articles are returned if your instructor has made that a requirement for your paper.

Look at the journal articles that you have selected, and examine the bibliographies. Are there any authors that are mentioned in more than one article? Are there any articles that are mentioned more than once? You should find those authors and articles and include them in your research.

There are other useful sources that you can use in your research. If your report tends to be on a business topic or if you need company information for your research there are many companies that provide company reports. The contents of these reports differ, depending on which service that you are using. Generally speaking you will find company officers, financial statements, lists of competitors, and stock price.

The Internet is another source for information on a variety of topics. The major problem with the using Internet resources is authority. Anybody who knows HTML can produce a web site that looks pretty decent. However, a website produced by a sophomore in high school on a topic is not going to be useful to you in your research. Before using a website for information, you need to evaluate the site. Here are some questions you will want to ask: Who created the site? (If you can't tell, don't use it.) Has the site been recently updated? Is the site promoting a specific agenda/ does it have a bias? (Bias isn't necessarily bad, but you need to keep it in mind when interpreting the information presented?) Are there any misspellings on the site? (If there is one misspelling careless error more than three, don't use the page) Do the links on the page work? (If a few don't work, not a big problem, if most of the links don't work, the site isn't being maintained, and should not be used.)

You have all of your research, now it is time to write the paper. Don't forget to cite all of the research that you have collected using the preferred citation style of your instructor. If possible try to give yourself a couple of days to let the paper sit before you edit it. Look at a hard copy of the paper and check for mechanical errors (spelling, punctuation). Also try to imagine that you are the intended audience for the paper. Does your paper make sense? Are the arguments logical? Does the evidence presented support the arguments made? If you answered no to any of these questions, make the necessary changes to your paper.

Purdue's Online Writing Lab https://owl.english.purdue.edu/

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English Research Guide

How to pick a topic.

• Background research
• Finding articles, books, and more
• Evaluating sources
• Citing in MLA
• Annotated bibliographies

How to pick a topic:

Review your assignment directions and requirements.

• Are you required to pick a topic within an assigned theme, like education or advertising, or are you allowed to choose a topic from any theme?
• Are you required to use certain readings from your course? Those readings may give you ideas about potential topics.
• Think of the readings in your class that interest you most. Is there an idea or topic that you want to explore further?
• Write down a few topic ideas on a piece of paper, and ask yourself questions about those topics.
• Who is affected by this topic? Who are the key players in this topic? Who benefits (and who doesn't) from this topic?
• What are the most important issues or concerns related to this topic?
• Where does this topic exist? Is it specific to a region?
• When was this topic most relevant? Is it a historical topic or a current event?
• Why is this topic important to you? Why should it be important to your reader?
• Doing background research will help you understand your topic enough to write a research question and/or thesis statement.

Photo by Mark Fletcher-Brown via Unsplash .

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129 List Of Research Topics In English Language Teaching [updated]

English Language Teaching (ELT) is a field dedicated to teaching English to non-native speakers. It’s important because English is a global language used for communication, business, and education worldwide. Research in ELT helps improve teaching methods, making it easier for students to learn English effectively. This blog will explore a list of research topics in English language teaching.

What Are The Areas Of Research In English Language Teaching?

Table of Contents

Research in English Language Teaching (ELT) encompasses a wide range of areas, including:

• Language Learning: Understanding how people learn English well, like when they learn a new language and if there’s a best time to do it.
• Teaching Ways: Looking into different ways teachers teach, like using conversations, tasks, or mixing language with other subjects.
• Curriculum Design and Syllabus Development: Designing and evaluating language curricula and syllabi to meet the needs of diverse learners and contexts.
• Assessment and Evaluation: Developing and validating assessment tools, exploring alternative assessment methods, and investigating the effectiveness of feedback and error correction strategies.
• Technology in ELT: Exploring the integration of technology in language teaching and learning, including computer-assisted language learning (CALL), mobile-assisted language learning (MALL), and online learning platforms.
• Teacher Education and Professional Development: Investigating pre-service and in-service teacher education programs, reflective practices, and challenges in teacher training.
• Cultural and Sociolinguistic Aspects: Examining the role of culture in language teaching and learning, sociolinguistic competence, and addressing cultural diversity in the classroom.
• Learner Diversity and Inclusive Practices: Researching teaching strategies for diverse learners, including young learners, learners with learning disabilities, and learners from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds.
• Policy and Planning in ELT: Analyzing language policies at national and international levels, exploring the implementation of ELT programs, and examining the role of ELT in national development.
• Research Methodologies in ELT: Investigating qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research approaches in ELT research, including action research conducted by teachers in their own classrooms.
• Future Trends and Innovations: Exploring emerging trends and innovations in ELT, such as the impact of globalization, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in language learning, and innovative teaching strategies.

129 List Of Research Topics In English Language Teaching: Category Wise

Language acquisition and development.

• Second Language Acquisition Theories: Explore different theories explaining how learners acquire a second language.
• Critical Period Hypothesis: Investigate the idea of an optimal age range for language acquisition.
• Multilingualism and Language Development: Study how knowing multiple languages affects language development.
• Cognitive and Affective Factors in Language Learning: Examine the role of cognitive abilities and emotions in language learning.
• Language Learning Strategies: Investigate the strategies learners use to acquire and develop language skills.
• Input Hypothesis: Explore the role of comprehensible input in language acquisition.
• Interaction Hypothesis: Examine the importance of interaction in language learning.
• Fossilization in Second Language Learning: Study why some learners reach a plateau in their language development.

Teaching Methodologies and Approaches

• Communicative Language Teaching (CLT): Analyze the effectiveness of CLT in promoting communication skills.
• Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT): Explore the use of real-world tasks to teach language.
• Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL): Investigate teaching subject content through English.
• Blended Learning in ELT: Study the integration of traditional and online teaching methods.
• Audio-Lingual Method: Assess the effectiveness of drills and repetition in language teaching.
• Grammar-Translation Method: Compare traditional grammar-focused methods with communicative approaches.
• Lexical Approach: Explore teaching vocabulary as a key component of language proficiency.
• Suggestopedia: Investigate the use of relaxation techniques to enhance language learning.

Curriculum Design and Syllabus Development

• Needs Analysis in ELT: Identify the language needs of learners and design appropriate curricula.
• Integrating Language Skills in Curriculum: Examine strategies for integrating reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills.
• Syllabus Types: Compare different types of syllabi, such as structural and task-based.
• Task-Based Syllabus Design: Design syllabi based on real-world tasks to promote language acquisition.
• Content-Based Instruction (CBI): Integrate language learning with academic content in syllabus design.
• Needs Analysis in Specific Contexts: Conduct needs analyses for learners in specific professional or academic contexts.
• Cross-Cultural Communication in Curriculum Design: Incorporate intercultural communication skills into language curricula.

Assessment and Evaluation

• Standardized Testing in ELT: Evaluate the reliability and validity of standardized English language tests.
• Alternative Assessment Approaches: Explore non-traditional assessment methods like portfolios and self-assessment.
• Feedback Strategies in Language Learning: Investigate effective feedback techniques for improving language proficiency.
• Washback Effect of Testing: Study how assessment practices influence teaching and learning.
• Authentic Assessment in ELT: Develop assessment tasks that mirror real-life language use situations.
• Portfolio Assessment: Investigate the use of portfolios to track language learning progress over time.
• Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT): Evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of adaptive testing methods in ELT.

Technology in ELT

• Computer-Assisted Language Learning (CALL): Assess the impact of computer-based language learning programs.
• Mobile-Assisted Language Learning (MALL): Study the effectiveness of mobile devices in language learning.
• Online Learning Platforms for ELT: Analyze the features and usability of online platforms for language education.
• Virtual Reality (VR) in Language Learning: Explore immersive VR environments for language practice and instruction.
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tutoring Systems: Assess the effectiveness of AI-based tutors in providing personalized language instruction.
• Social Media in Language Learning: Study the role of social media platforms in informal language learning contexts.
• Gamification in ELT: Investigate the use of game elements to enhance engagement and motivation in language learning.

Teacher Education and Professional Development

• Pre-service Teacher Education Programs: Evaluate the effectiveness of teacher training programs.
• Reflective Practice in Teaching: Investigate how teachers reflect on their practice to improve teaching.
• Challenges in Teacher Education: Identify challenges faced by educators in training and development.
• Teacher Beliefs and Practices: Examine how teachers’ beliefs about language learning influence their instructional practices.
• Peer Observation in Teacher Development: Explore the benefits of peer observation and feedback for teacher professional growth.
• Mentoring Programs for New Teachers: Evaluate the effectiveness of mentoring programs in supporting novice teachers.
• Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Models: Compare different models of CPD for language teachers and their impact on teaching quality.

Cultural and Sociolinguistic Aspects

• Language and Culture Interrelationship: Explore the relationship between language and culture in ELT.
• Sociolinguistic Competence and Pragmatics: Study how social context influences language use and understanding.
• Gender and Identity in Language Learning: Investigate how gender identity affects language learning experiences.
• Intercultural Competence in Language Teaching: Develop strategies for promoting intercultural communicative competence in language learners.
• Language Policy and Minority Language Education: Analyze the impact of language policies on the education of minority language speakers.
• Gender and Language Learning Strategies: Investigate gender differences in language learning strategies and their implications for instruction.
• Code-Switching in Multilingual Classrooms: Study the role of code-switching in language learning and classroom interaction.

Learner Diversity and Inclusive Practices

• Teaching English to Young Learners (TEYL): Examine effective teaching strategies for children learning English.
• Addressing Learning Disabilities in ELT: Investigate methods for supporting learners with disabilities in language learning.
• ELT for Specific Purposes (ESP): Explore specialized English language instruction for specific fields.
• Differentiated Instruction in Language Teaching: Develop strategies for addressing diverse learner needs in the language classroom.
• Inclusive Pedagogies for Learners with Special Educational Needs: Design instructional approaches that accommodate learners with disabilities in language learning.
• Language Learning Strategies of Autistic Learners: Investigate effective language learning strategies for individuals on the autism spectrum.
• Language Identity and Learner Motivation: Explore the relationship between language identity and motivation in language learning.

Policy and Planning in ELT

• National and International Language Policies: Analyze policies governing English language education at different levels.
• ELT Program Implementation Challenges: Identify challenges in implementing ELT programs in diverse contexts.
• Role of ELT in National Development: Examine the contribution of English language education to national development goals.
• English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI) Policies: Analyze the impact of EMI policies on educational equity and access.
• Language Teacher Recruitment and Deployment Policies: Evaluate policies related to the recruitment and deployment of language teachers in diverse contexts.
• Language Assessment Policy Reform: Propose reforms to language assessment policies to promote fairness and validity.
• Biliteracy Development Policies: Study policies aimed at promoting biliteracy development among bilingual learners.

Research Methodologies in ELT

• Qualitative Research Methods in ELT: Explore qualitative approaches like interviews and case studies in ELT research.
• Quantitative Research Methods in ELT: Investigate quantitative methods such as surveys and experiments in language education research.
• Mixed-Methods Approaches in ELT Research: Combine qualitative and quantitative methods to gain a comprehensive understanding of research questions.
• Ethnographic Approaches to ELT Research: Conduct ethnographic studies to explore language learning and teaching in naturalistic settings.
• Case Study Research in Language Education: Investigate specific language learning contexts or programs through in-depth case studies.
• Corpus Linguistics in ELT Research: Analyze language use patterns and learner language production using corpus linguistic methods.
• Longitudinal Studies of Language Learning: Follow language learners over an extended period to examine developmental trajectories and factors influencing language acquisition.

Future Trends and Innovations

• Emerging Technologies in ELT: Study the integration of technologies like AI and VR in language teaching.
• Innovations in Teaching Strategies: Explore new approaches to teaching language, such as flipped classrooms and gamification.
• Future Directions in ELT Research: Investigate potential areas for future research in English language teaching.
• Wearable Technology in Language Learning: Explore the potential of wearable devices for delivering personalized language instruction.
• Data Analytics for Adaptive Learning: Develop data-driven approaches to adaptive learning in language education.
• Augmented Reality (AR) Applications in ELT: Design AR-enhanced language learning experiences for immersive language practice.
• Global Citizenship Education and Language Learning: Investigate the role of language education in fostering global citizenship skills.
• Eco-Linguistics and Language Education: Explore the intersection of language education and environmental sustainability.
• Metacognition and Language Learning: Explore how learners’ awareness of their own learning processes affects language acquisition.
• Peer Interaction in Language Learning: Investigate the role of peer collaboration and discussion in promoting language development.
• Heritage Language Education: Study strategies for maintaining and revitalizing heritage languages among immigrant and minority communities.
• Language Learning Motivation in Adolescents: Examine factors influencing motivation and engagement in adolescent language learners.
• Phonological Awareness in Language Learning: Investigate the role of phonological awareness in literacy development for language learners.
• Pragmatic Development in Language Learners: Explore how learners acquire pragmatic competence and understanding of language use in context.
• Digital Literacies and Language Learning: Examine how digital literacy skills contribute to language proficiency and communication in the digital age.
• Critical Language Awareness: Investigate approaches to developing learners’ critical awareness of language use and power dynamics.
• Language Teacher Identity: Study how language teachers’ identities shape their beliefs, practices, and interactions in the classroom.
• Collaborative Learning in Language Education: Explore the benefits and challenges of collaborative learning environments for language learners.
• Motivational Strategies in Language Teaching: Develop and evaluate motivational techniques to enhance student engagement and persistence in language learning.
• Heritage Language Maintenance: Investigate factors influencing the maintenance and transmission of heritage languages across generations.
• Phonics Instruction in Language Learning: Examine the effectiveness of phonics-based approaches for teaching reading and pronunciation.
• Language Policy Implementation: Analyze the challenges and successes of implementing language policies at the institutional, regional, and national levels.
• Language Teacher Cognition: Explore language teachers’ beliefs, knowledge, and decision-making processes in the classroom.
• Intercultural Communicative Competence: Develop strategies for fostering learners’ ability to communicate effectively across cultures.
• Critical Pedagogy in Language Education: Explore approaches to teaching language that promote critical thinking, social justice, and equity.
• Language Learning Strategies for Autodidacts: Investigate effective self-directed learning strategies for language learners outside formal educational settings.
• Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) in Higher Education: Examine the implementation and outcomes of CLIL programs in tertiary education.
• Sociocultural Theory and Language Learning: Explore how social and cultural factors influence language acquisition and development.
• Language Socialization: Investigate how individuals learn language within social and cultural contexts, including family, peer groups, and communities.
• Speech Perception and Language Learning: Examine the relationship between speech perception abilities and language proficiency in second language learners.
• Genre-Based Approaches to Language Teaching: Explore the use of genre analysis and genre-based pedagogy to teach language skills in context.
• Learner Autonomy in Language Learning: Investigate strategies for promoting learner autonomy and independence in language education.
• Multimodal Literacy in Language Learning: Examine the integration of multiple modes of communication, such as text, image, and sound, in language instruction.
• Community-Based Language Learning: Study language learning initiatives that engage learners with their local communities and resources.
• English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) Communication: Explore the use of English as a global means of communication among speakers from diverse linguistic backgrounds.

Research in English Language Teaching covers a wide range of topics, from language acquisition theories to the impact of technology on learning. By exploring these topics (from a list of research topics in english language teaching), we can improve how English is taught and learned, making it more effective and accessible for everyone.

Continuous research and collaboration among educators, researchers, and policymakers are essential for the ongoing development of ELT.

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English 101: Controversial Issues Paper: Research Paper Process Guide

• Research Paper Process Guide
• Literature Guide

Choose your topic

Can't think of a topic , brainstorm..

• What aspects of your research assignment are you interested in?
• What time period of geographic area are you interested in?
• What do you already know about the topic?

Some tips to consider:

• Be sure to pick something that genuinely interests you.
• Ask your instructor, a librarian, or even a classmate for advice or feedback on paper topic ideas.
• Finally, once you've settled on something you want to work on, try to express it as a question. 

General Reference Resources

Browsing  a general reference resource on some subjects areas that interest you might give you some good ideas. 

• Credo Reference This link opens in a new window Broad subject general reference database searching hundreds of encyclopedias and other reference works. Provides subject/topic maps.
• Ebooks from Gale This link opens in a new window A broad ranging general reference collection of ebooks. Search thousands of authoritative reference sources across all fields and disciplines.

Current events

Read through current newspapers and see what is happening in the news that interests you.

• Newsstand This link opens in a new window This newspaper resource allows users to search articles instantly by title, headline, date, author, newspaper section, or other fields. Provides access to more than 2,300 major U.S. regional, national, and local newspapers, as well as leading titles from around the world. It also includes thousands of images, radio and TV broadcasts and transcripts.

A few "Hot Topic" sources

Here are a few places that outline many important social issues.

• Controversial Issue Projects Ideas 301 Prompts for Argumentative Writing asking questions about some of the more debatable issues of the day.
• Points of View Reference Center This link opens in a new window Provides content to help assess and develop persuasive arguments and essays, better understand controversial issues and develop analytical thinking skills. This database assembles controversial information in a non-biased manner for evaluation by the patron.
• Opposing Viewpoints: Gale in Context This link opens in a new window Covers today's hottest social issues, from capital punishment to immigration to marijuana. This cross-curricular resource supports science, social studies, current events, and language arts classes. Includes viewpoints, reference articles, infographics, news, images, video, audio, etc. Periodical content covers current events, news and commentary, economics, environmental issues, political science,etc.

Keywords and Subjects

Need help finding the right search terms to help you broaden or narrow your search? 

• Library 101: Identify keywords

Do your research

Gather information to support your argument.

Now that you know what you're writing about, you need to gather your research. This includes your topic's background, current events, data and statistics, and expert opinion and analysis. For this, there are a variety of different resources we like:

This is where you wrap your head around your topic. Look here to find topic overviews; definitions; and to get a general sense of important events, people, and key concepts.

Here are some place to look for information to understand what how your topic is understood within a bigger picture. This might include: current events, historical context, cultural attitudes, literary themes, scientific perspectives, or political controversies.

• History Reference Center This link opens in a new window Covering both U.S. and world history topics, this is a full-text database featuring historical reference books, magazines, journals and thousands of primary source documents. Offers full text from reference books, encyclopedias, and non-fiction books, and includes photos, maps, and videos.

Here's where you find information about your topic's bigger impact, how this is an issue that affects something larger and is meaningful in a broad way. This typically means statistics, but might also mean finding many examples from other sources to support your observations.

• Statista This link opens in a new window An online statistics portal that provides access to data from market and opinion research institutions, as well as from business organizations and government institutions.
• Pew Research Center for the People and the Press Polling statistics on matters of national and global importance
• Statistics Research Guide
• Census Data Produced by the Census Bureau, this is the premier source for population, housing, economic, and geographic data.

Credible Support and Analysis

Because you are making a claim, you need to lean on the credibility of scholars or experts to help support and ground your argument. Here are a number of databases to find peer-reviewed articles on many topics from a variety of subject areas:

• Academic OneFile: Gale This link opens in a new window A broad subject database which includes peer-reviewed journals, magazines, reference sets and podcasts covering the areas of criminal justice, history, economics, marketing, and psychology. Also includes podcasts and transcripts from NPR and CNN as well as videos from BBC Worldwide Learning.
• Academic Search Complete This link opens in a new window Academic Search Complete offers an enormous collection of full-text journals, providing users access to critical information from many sources unique to this database. In addition, it includes peer-reviewed full text for STEM research, as well as for the social sciences and humanities. Scholarly content covers a broad range of important areas of academic study, including anthropology, engineering, law, sciences and more. Topical Video Content Academic Search Complete offers access to video content from the Associated Press, the world’s leading news agency. Videos relevant to the search terms will appear in a carousel in the result list. With footage from 1930 to the present and updated monthly, this collection of more than 75,000 videos covers a wide variety of topics.

Best Bet! Controversial Issues Databases

For a deeper investigation into your topics, books are always going to be helpful.

• Points of View Reference Center This link opens in a new window ● Browse by category or enter words in search box ● Filter by "Points of View" or "Academic Journal" sources
• Opposing Viewpoints: Gale in Context This link opens in a new window ● Browse by Category or enter words in search box ● Filter by "Viewpoints," "Academic Journals," or "Reference" sources

All Library Databases

• Library Research Databases Search for article databases, electronic journals, image collections, statistical sources, and more. If you know where you want to go or would like to browse by subject are, go to the full list of library databases. You can sort by subject area, type of material, and database name.

Search the Library Catalog

Primo is our main search function. Go here to see all of our books, articles, and more.

Research Process Overview

Research basics: a step-by-step guide.

Develop a topic Select a Topic | Develop Research Questions | Identify Keywords | Find Background Information | Refine a Topic

Locate information Books & E-Books | Videos & Images | Articles  | Websites | Search Strategies

Types of Information Information Sources  | Examples of Information Sources  |  Types of Periodicals

Evaluate Help! My News is Fake!  | What Can I Do?  | Let's Check a Claim  |  Check your own claim!​

Write Grammar and Figures of Speech  |  Take Notes | Outline the Paper  

Cite Plagiarism | MLA Format |  APA Format | APA Examples | Annotated Bibliographies  | Additional Citation Styles and Sources

Creating PowerPoint Presentations

Looking for help using TCTC Library Resources? 

• Library Instruction and Online Tutorials Our online Library Tutorials will guide you through the process with both printable handouts and online videos.

Have a specific question?

• Ask a librarian Need help? Ask a librarian! We're available via online chat, email, and phone. Or check out our FAQs to see if someone has already asked your question.

This guide was developed with the Johnson & Wales University Denver Library and is used with permission.

A little more about print titles and the library catalog

Using the library catalog.

Using the catalog isn't difficult, but it can be a little tricky.

• Library Catalog You can always get to the catalog under the "Find" tab at the top of the page under "get Books."

The materials in the Tri-County Technical College Library are organized so that materials on similar subjects are shelved together. We use the Library of Congress classification system to organize our books. It is used by most research and academic libraries in the United States.

• Library of Congress (LC) Classification System Learn more about the Library of Congress classification system and its various categories here.

How to find books using the Library of Congress Classification system 

Each item is given a subject heading that corresponds to a call number which identifies the location of the item on a shelf. 

Items are arranged on the shelves from left to right, top to bottom, according to call numbers. Call numbers are read in this format:

Search Strategies

The keywords you use can have a profound impact on the results of your research. Using the “right” words will speed up the research process, while the “wrong” words can bring to it to a halt.

Before you can begin searching for information, you need to identify keywords related to your topic.

• Use a thesaurus to identify synonyms.
• Find pictures related to your topic, then describe them.
• Brainstorm keywords with a librarian, your instructor, or a friend.
• Use a keyword generator .

Limiting Searches

It is common for an initial search to return an overwhelming number of results. Refining the results allows you to identify exactly the most relevant content.

Each database is a little different, but there are a few common ways to limit your search:

"Show only"

• Peer-Reviewed Journals
• Full Text Online 

"Refine my results"

• Resource type (i.e. Journals, Magazines, Reviews, Critical Essays, Books, Topic Overviews)
• Subject: Depending upon the search, this section lists various standard subject categories and allows the results to be limited to the chosen subject.
• Publication year
• Date: This section allows you to limit the results to items created in particular time periods.You can type dates into the boxes or sometimes there will be a date slider to determine your date search range.
• Often, there will be a “More options” choice--it might be designated by a plus (+) sign--where you will find a full list of available search-refining options; only the most first few will be initially visible. 

Combining and clearing refinements

After you have chosen one refinement, it is possible to continue to choose additional refinements. The results list will then show only results that meet the criteria for all the selected refinements. In most databases the selected refinements are displayed at the top of the results list. To remove a refinement, you will click on the X near its box. Doing so will start a new search without that refinement.

Sorting Results

Your results are sorted by what the database thinks is most relevant to your search. But there are almost always other ways to sort your results. Some of the various sort methods include: 

• Relevance: This tends to be the default sorting method.
• Date: By either newest or oldest
• Author: Alphabetically, by either A-Z or Z-A
• Title:  Alphabetically, by either A-Z or Z-A

A few special things:

All databases have their own unique features for doing typical search procedures that are worth using to help limit your results. Some of these include:

• Search within results
• Search history
• Related articles and links.

Citation information

This guide will help you with the following: 

• Tips to help you  avoid plagiarism
• Some information about MLA Formatting  
• Some information about APA Formatting and Example APA Citations
• Help you understand what an Annotated Bibliography is and how to make one
• To offer some additional citation style tools and information

Need more help?

Did you miss the library workshop for your English 101 or 103 class? Are you taking English online? Or do you just need a refresher on how to do research for a paper? Here are videos that tell you about each step of the research process.

• English 101 Research Paper Worksheet 2016
• Getting Started 2016
• Information Literacy 2016
• Evaluating Sources 2016
• Reference Sources 2016
• Journals vs Magazines 2016
• Database Searching 2016
• Searching for Journals in Databases 2016
• Using the “Find Anything” Search Engine 2016
• eBooks 2016
• Library Books: Print and Online 2016
• How to use the library videos in Blackboard 2016
• Next: Literature Guide >>
• Last Updated: May 30, 2024 11:48 AM
• URL: https://library.tctc.edu/eng101

Research Paper Topics

Choose your Topic Smart

What starts well, ends well, so you need to be really careful with research paper topics. The topic of a research paper defines the whole piece of writing. How often have you chosen the book by its title? First impression is often influential, so make sure your topic will attract the reader instantly. By choosing your topic smart, the half of your job is done. That is why we have singled out several secrets on how to pick the best topic for you. Also see the list of 1000 thesis topics .

Browse Research Paper Topics by Category:

• Anthropology
• Argumentative
• Communication
• Criminal Justice
• Environmental
• Political Science

What is the Key to a Perfect Topic for a Research Paper?

The key to a perfect topic includes three main secrets: interest, precision, and innovation.

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It is impossible to do something great if you have no interest in what you are doing. For this reason, make sure you choose the topic that drives you. If you are bored by what you investigate, do not expect that your paper will be exciting. Right now, spend some minutes or even hours thinking about what interests you. Jot down all your preferences in life, science, politics, social issues etc. It will help you get the idea what you can write about.

After realizing what drives you, narrow this general idea to a more specific one. A research paper is not about beating around the bush. You will need clear facts and data. You will have to provide evidence to your ideas. You will need to be precise, specific and convincing.

Finally, the idea of any research is that it should be surprising and distinctive. Think what makes your perspective and approach special. What is the novelty of your research?

Use Technology

If you are still stuck, use technology. Today we have an opportunity to make our lives easier with a bit of technology used. You can find paper topic generators online. This software will examine the category you want to investigate and the keywords from your research. Within several seconds, this program generates paper topics, so you can try it yourself. It can help you get started with your assignment.

100% Effective Advice

We will now give you advice that is 100% effective when picking the topic. Firstly, forget about what others may think about your topic. This is your topic and this is your perception of the world. Stay personal and let your personal style get you the top grades. Secondly, never decide on the topic before analyzing the background for your research. By this we mean, investigate the topic before you start the research proper. It happens quite often that students choose the topic and later they realize there is no data or information to use. That is why conduct some research beforehand. Thirdly, read other researchers’ papers on the topic you want to write about. It will help you get the idea of the investigation. Moreover, it will help you understand whether you truly want to write a paper on this topic. Finally, when you have picked the topic, started your research, make sure you dedicate your time and energy. If you want to get high results, you need to study every little details of your research.

Examine Different Ideas

People often come up with genius ideas after analyzing thousands of other people’s ideas. This is how our brain works. That is why you can analyze other people’s ideas for research paper topics and think up your own. If you have never written any paper of that kind, it will help you understand the gist of this assignment, the style and the requirements. By comparing different topics, you can motivate yourself and get inspired with these ideas. Luckily, you have come to the right place. Here is our list of top 100 research paper topics.

Top 10 Argumentative Research Paper Topics:

Argumentative research papers examine some controversial issues. Your task is to provide your point of view, your argument, and support your idea with the evidence. This academic assignment requires appropriate structuring and formatting.

• Does a College Education Pay?
• Dual Career Families and Working Mothers
• Electronic Copyright and Piracy
• Drinking on Campus
• Education for Homeless Children
• Glass ceiling
• Honor System at Colleges
• Sex and Violence on TV
• Word Population and Hunger
• World Trade and Globalization

Top 10 Economics Research Paper Topics:

If you are studying economics, you can find various topics at our site. Check out topics of micro- and macroeconomics. See ideas for urgent economic problems, economic models and strategies. Get inspired and come up with your perfect topic.

• Beyond Make-or-Buy: Advances in Transaction Cost Economics
• Economic Aspects of Cultural Heritage
• Economics of Energy Markets
• Globalization and Inequality
• International Trade and Trade Restrictions
• Aggregate Expenditures Model and Equilibrium Output
• Taxes Versus Standards
• Predatory Pricing and Strategic Entry Barriers
• Marxian and Institutional Industrial Relations in the United States
• Twentieth-Century Economic Methodology

Top 10 Education Research Paper Topics:

Education has so many questions, and yet few answers. The list of education topic is endless. We have chosen the top 10 topics on the urgent issues in education. You can find ideas related to different approaches, methodology, classroom management, etc.

• Teachers Thinking About Their Practice
• Cognitive Approaches to Motivation in Education
• Responsive Classroom Management
• Ten Steps to Complex Learning
• Economics and School-to-Work
• Reading and Literacy in Adolescence
• Diversifying the Teaching Force
• Teacher-Student Relationships
• Preparing for College and Graduate School
• Role of Professional Learning

Top 10 History Research Paper Topics:

Choose your topic regarding cultural, economic, environmental, military, political or social history. See what other researchers investigated, compare their ideas and pick the topic that interests you.

• European Expansion
• Orientalism
• Current trends in Historiography
• Green Revolution
• Religion and War
• Women’s Emancipation Movements
• History of Civilization

Top 10 Psychology Research Paper Topics:

The list of psychology categories and topics is enormous. We have singled out the most popular topics on psychology in 2019. It is mostly topics on modern psychology. Choose the topic the appeals to you the most or ask our professionals to help you come up with some original idea.

• Imaging Techniques for the Localization of Brain Function
• Memory and Eyewitness Testimony
• Traditional Neuroscience Research Methods
• Meditation and the Relaxation Response
• Assessment of Mental Health in Older Adults
• Cross-Cultural Psychology and Research
• Industrial and Organizational Psychology
• Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
• Prejudice and Stereotyping
• Nature Versus Nurture

Top 10 Biology Research Paper Topics:

Here you can find topics related to the science of all forms of life. Examine the topics from different fields in biology and choose the best one for you.

• Biological Warfare
• Clone and Cloning
• Genetic Disorders
• Genetic Engineering
• Kangaroos and Wallabies
• Mendelian Laws of Inheritance
• Molecular Biology
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Top 10 Chemistry Research Paper Topics:

The best way to understand chemistry is to write a paper on chemistry topic. Below you can see the topics from different fields of chemistry: organic, inorganic, physical, analytical and others.

• Acids and Bases
• Alkaline Earth Metals
• Dyes and Pigments
• Chemical Warfare
• Industrial Minerals
• Photochemistry
• Soaps and Detergents
• Transition Elements

Top 10 Physics Research Paper Topics:

Check out the topics on classical and modern physics. Find ideas for writing about interrelationships of physics to other sciences.

• Aerodynamics
• Atomic Theory
• Celestial Mechanics
• Fluid Dynamics
• Magnetic recording
• Microwave Communication
• Quantum mechanics
• Subatomic particles

Top 10 Sociology Research Paper Topics:

Find ideas related to different sociological theories, research and methodologies.

• Feminist Methodologies and Epistemology
• Quality-of-Life Research
• Sociology of Men and Masculinity
• Sociology of Leisure and Recreation
• Environmental Sociology
• Teaching and Learning in Sociology
• The History of Sociology: The North American Perspective
• The Sociology of Voluntary Associations
• Marriage and Divorce in the United States
• Urban Sociology in the 21 st Century

Top 10 Technology Research Paper Topics:

See topics related to the cutting-edge technology or dive into history of electronics, or even early advances in agriculture.

• Food Preservation: Freeze Drying, Irradiation, and Vacuum Packing
• Tissue Culturing
• Digital Telephony
• Computer-Aided Control Technology
• Minerals Prospecting
• Prefabricated Buildings
• Timber Engineering
• Quantum Electronic Devices
• Thermal Water Moderated Nuclear Reactors
• Long Range Radars and Early Warning Systems

What Makes a Good Topic for a Research Paper?

A good research paper topic is the one that is successful and manageable in your particular case. A successful research paper poses an interesting question you can actually answer. Just as important, it poses a question you can answer within the time available. The question should be one that interests you and deserves exploration. It might be an empirical question or a theoretical puzzle. In some fields, it might be a practical problem or policy issue. Whatever the question is, you need to mark off its boundaries clearly and intelligently so you can complete the research paper and not get lost in the woods. That means your topic should be manageable as well as interesting and important.

A topic is  manageable  if you can:

• Master the relevant literature
• Collect and analyze the necessary data
• Answer the key questions you have posed
• Do it all within the time available, with the skills you have

A topic is  important  if it:

• Touches directly on major theoretical issues and debates, or
• Addresses substantive topics of great interest in your field

Ideally, your topic can do both, engaging theoretical and substantive issues. In elementary education, for example, parents, teachers, scholars, and public officials all debate the effectiveness of charter schools, the impact of vouchers, and the value of different reading programs. A research paper on any of these would resonate within the university and well beyond it. Still, as you approach such topics, you need to limit the scope of your investigation so you can finish your research and writing on time. After all, to be a good research paper, it first has to be a completed one. A successful research paper poses an interesting question you can actually answer within the time available for the project. Some problems are simply too grand, too sweeping to master within the time limits. Some are too minor to interest you or anybody else.

The solution, however, is not to find a lukewarm bowl of porridge, a bland compromise. Nor is it to abandon your interest in larger, more profound issues such as the relationship between school organization and educational achievement or between immigration and poverty. Rather, the solution is to select a well-defined topic that is closely linked to some larger issue and then explore that link. Your research paper will succeed if you nail a well-defined topic. It will rise to excellence if you probe that topic deeply and show how it illuminates wider issues.The best theses deal with important issues, framed in manageable ways. The goal is to select a well-defined topic that is closely linked to some larger issue and can illuminate it.

You can begin your project with either a large issue or a narrowly defined topic, depending on your interests and the ideas you have generated. Whichever way you start, the goals are the same: to connect the two in meaningful ways and to explore your specific topic in depth.

Of course, the choice of a particular research paper topic depends on the course you’re taking. Our site can offer you the following research paper topics and example research papers:

Moving from a Research Paper Idea to a Research Paper Topic

Let’s begin as most students actually do, by going from a “big issue” to a more manageable research paper topic. Suppose you start with a big question such as, “Why has the United States fought so many wars since 1945?” That’s certainly a big, important question. Unfortunately, it’s too complex and sprawling to cover well in a research paper. Working with your professor or instructor, you could zero in on a related but feasible research topic, such as “Why did the Johnson administration choose to escalate the U.S. war in Vietnam?” By choosing this topic, your research paper can focus on a specific war and, within that, on a few crucial years in the mid-1960s.

You can draw on major works covering all aspects of the Vietnam War and the Johnson administration’s decision making. You have access to policy memos that were once stamped top secret. These primary documents have now been declassified, published by the State Department, and made available to research libraries. Many are readily available on the Web. You can also take advantage of top-quality secondary sources (that is, books and articles based on primary documents, interviews, and other research data).

Drawing on these primary and secondary sources, you can uncover and critique the reasons behind U.S. military escalation. As you answer this well-defined question about Vietnam, you can (and you should) return to the larger themes that interest you, namely, “What does the escalation in Southeast Asia tell us about the global projection of U.S. military power since 1945?” As one of America’s largest military engagements since World War II, the war in Vietnam should tell us a great deal about the more general question.

The goal here is to pick a good case to study, one that is compelling in its own right and speaks to the larger issue. It need not be a typical example, but it does need to illuminate the larger question. Some cases are better than others precisely because they illuminate larger issues. That’s why choosing the best cases makes such a difference in your research paper.

Since you are interested in why the United States has fought so often since 1945, you probably shouldn’t focus on U.S. invasions of Grenada, Haiti, or Panama in the past two decades. Why? Because the United States has launched numerous military actions against small, weak states in the Caribbean for more than a century. That is important in its own right, but it doesn’t say much about what has changed so dramatically since 1945. The real change since 1945 is the projection of U.S. power far beyond the Western Hemisphere, to Europe and Asia. You cannot explain this change—or any change, for that matter—by looking at something that remains constant.

In this case, to analyze the larger pattern of U.S. war fighting and the shift it represents, you need to pick examples of distant conflicts, such as Korea, Vietnam, Kosovo, Afghanistan, or Iraq. That’s the noteworthy change since 1945: U.S. military intervention outside the Western Hemisphere. The United States has fought frequently in such areas since World War II but rarely before then. Alternatively, you could use statistics covering many cases of U.S. intervention around the world, perhaps supplemented with some telling cases studies.

Students in the humanities want to explore their own big ideas, and they, too, need to focus their research. In English literature, their big issue might be “masculinity” or, to narrow the range a bit, “masculinity in Jewish American literature.” Important as these issues are, they are too vast for anyone to read all the major novels plus all the relevant criticism and then frame a comprehensive research paper.

If you don’t narrow these sprawling topics and focus your work, you can only skim the surface. Skimming the surface is not what you want to do in a research paper. You want to understand your subject in depth and convey that understanding to your readers.

That does not mean you have to abandon your interest in major themes. It means you have to restrict their scope in sensible ways. To do that, you need to think about which aspects of masculinity really interest you and then find works that deal with them.

You may realize your central concern is how masculinity is defined in response to strong women. That focus would still leave you considerable flexibility, depending on your academic background and what you love to read. That might be anything from a reconsideration of Macbeth to an analysis of early twentieth-century American novels, where men must cope with women in assertive new roles. Perhaps you are interested in another aspect of masculinity: the different ways it is defined within the same culture at the same moment. That would lead you to novelists who explore these differences in their characters, perhaps contrasting men who come from different backgrounds, work in different jobs, or simply differ emotionally. Again, you would have considerable flexibility in choosing specific writers.

Connecting a Specific Research Paper Topic to a Bigger Idea

Not all students begin their research paper concerned with big issues such as masculinity or American wars over the past half century. Some start with very specific topics in mind. One example might be the decision to create NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement encompassing Canada, the United States, and Mexico. Perhaps you are interested in NAFTA because you discussed it in a course, heard about it in a political campaign, or saw its effects firsthand on local workers, companies, and consumers. It intrigues you, and you would like to study it in a research paper. The challenge is to go from this clear-cut subject to a larger theme that will frame your paper.

Why do you even need to figure out a larger theme? Because NAFTA bears on several major topics, and you cannot explore all of them. Your challenge—and your opportunity—is to figure out which one captures your imagination.

One way to think about that is to finish this sentence: “For me, NAFTA is a case of ___________.” If you are mainly interested in negotiations between big and small countries, then your answer is, “For me, NAFTA is a case of a large country like the United States bargaining with a smaller neighbor.” Your answer would be different if you are mainly interested in decision making within the United States, Mexico, or Canada. In that case, you might say, “NAFTA seems to be a case where a strong U.S. president pushed a trade policy through Congress.” Perhaps you are more concerned with the role played by business lobbies. “For me, NAFTA is a case of undue corporate influence over foreign economic policy.” Or you could be interested in the role of trade unions, environmental groups, or public opinion.

The NAFTA decision is related to all these big issues and more. You cannot cover them all. There is not enough time, and even if there were, the resulting paper would be too diffuse, too scattershot. To make an impact, throw a rock, not a handful of pebbles.

Choosing one of these large issues will shape your research paper on NAFTA. If you are interested in U.S. decision making, for example, you might study the lobbying process or perhaps the differences between Democrats and Republicans. If you are interested in diplomacy, you would focus on negotiations between the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Either would make an interesting research paper, but they are different topics.

Although the subject matter and analysis are decidedly different in the humanities, many of the same considerations still apply to topic selection. In English or comparative literature, for example, you may be attracted to a very specific topic such as several poems by William Wordsworth. You are not trying, as a social scientist would, to test some generalizations that apply across time or space. Rather, you want to analyze these specific poems, uncover their multiple meanings, trace their allusions, and understand their form and beauty.

As part of the research paper, however, you may wish to say something bigger, something that goes beyond these particular poems. That might be about Wordsworth’s larger body of work. Are these poems representative or unusual? Do they break with his previous work or anticipate work yet to come? You may wish to comment on Wordsworth’s close ties to his fellow “Lake Poets,” Coleridge and Southey, underscoring some similarities in their work. Do they use language in shared ways? Do they use similar metaphors or explore similar themes? You may even wish to show how these particular poems are properly understood as part of the wider Romantic movement in literature and the arts. Any of these would connect the specific poems to larger themes.

How to Refine Your Research Paper Topic

One of your professor’s or instructor’s most valuable contributions to the success of your research paper is to help you refine your topic. She can help you select the best cases for detailed study or the best data and statistical techniques. S/he can help you find cases that shed light on larger questions, have good data available, and are discussed in a rich secondary literature. She may know valuable troves of documents to explore. That’s why it is so important to bring these issues up in early meetings. These discussions with your instructor are crucial in moving from a big but ill-defined idea to a smart, feasible topic.Some colleges supplement this advising process by offering special workshops and tutorial support for students. These are great resources, and you should take full advantage of them. They can improve your project in at least two ways.

First, tutors and workshop leaders are usually quite adept at helping you focus and shape your topic. That’s what they do best. Even if they are relatively new teachers, they have been writing research papers themselves for many years. They know how to do it well and how to avoid common mistakes. To craft their own papers, they have learned how to narrow their topics, gather data, interpret sources, and evaluate conjectures. They know how to use appropriate methods and how to mine the academic literature. In all these ways, they can assist you with their own hard-won experience. To avoid any confusion, just make sure your instructor knows what advice you are getting from workshop leaders and tutors. You want everyone to be pulling in the same direction.

Second, you will benefit enormously from batting around your research paper in workshops. The more you speak about your subject, the better you will understand it yourself. The better you understand it, the clearer your research and writing will be. You will learn about your project as you present your ideas; you will learn more as you listen to others discuss your work; and you will learn still more as you respond to their suggestions. Although you should do that in sessions with your instructor, you will also profit from doing it in workshops and tutorial sessions.

Secrets to Keep in Mind when Writing a Research Paper

As a bonus, we have prepared several secrets for you to make your paper perfect. Firstly, always write your paper from scratch. Do not copy the already existing materials, as it can lead to unsatisfactory mark or even expulsion. Secondly, start your research early; do not put off investigating the topic. The earlier you start, the easier it will be to meet the deadline. Thirdly, plan your work and create an outline for your task. A planned work will help you be systematic. Plus, it will help you avoid writer’s block, as you always have an outline to follow. Another secret is following all the requirements. A research paper is an academic assignment, so all these structural and formatting standards are important. Finally, make sure you proofread and edit your task. Check your paper for grammar and spelling mistakes, examine your choice of vocabulary. If it seems too much, you can always ask our professional editors and they will check the paper for you. A mistakes-free paper is essential to get high results.

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ENGL 101: English Composition

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What to expect in engl101 with anne hofmann and bryan hiatt.

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ENGL101 develops students’ ability to use writing, reading, research, and thinking processes to create documented essays that demonstrate the conventions of academic writing.  The Core Learning Outcomes of the course (or what students will be able to do by the end of the course) focus in Communication skills, Critical Thinking, and the application of Professional and Civic Ethics.

• Sample ENGL101 Syllabus This sample syllabus from Spring 2024 serves as a general introduction to the course. While it is set up as an in-person section, the types and sequence of assignments are typical for the course taught in any format including online, hybrid, and structured remote.
• Sample ENGL101 Essay Rubric This rubric is typical for ENGL 101 essay assignments. While there is no department standard rubric for writing assignments, many instructors draw upon elements of of rubrics like this to evaluate broad concepts like Content, Organization, and Style.
• Sample ENGL101 Discussion Board Guidelines & Rubric These discussion board guidelines and rubric are typical of an assessment measure that students will often find in ENGL 101. Discussion board posts and responses are frequently used as formative assessments that serve as a starting point to develop ideas and explore topics.
• Sample Research Essay This link shows an annotated research essay from the Purdue OWL, in MLA form. One note: this is an example of a polished end point of process...a sample of the kind of work students will be producing by the of the course.
• The Maryland C Standard Students in ENGL101 are working toward the Maryland “C” Standard, which is a common standard between Maryland community Colleges. This standard includes broad concepts like Content, Organization, Style, and Grammar.

• New Student Orientation New students are expected to attend our Summer Orientation Days. Visit this site for more information and to learn about the virtual orientation for transfer students.
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