plays research paper topics

Shakespeare Research Paper Topics

The realm of Shakespeare research paper topics is vast and multifaceted, encapsulating a plethora of subjects that have captivated scholars and students for centuries. Shakespeare’s works, ranging from tragedies and comedies to sonnets, present a goldmine for academic exploration. This comprehensive guide aims to elucidate these topics, presenting a wide array of potential research areas that delve into the heart of the Bard’s timeless literary contributions. Whether examining the complexities of his characters, the richness of his thematic material, or the nuances of his language, Shakespeare continues to offer an endless sea of research possibilities.

100 Shakespeare Research Paper Topics

Shakespeare’s works are a cornerstone of English literature, offering a treasure trove of themes, characters, and narratives that have fascinated readers for over four centuries. The following Shakespeare research paper topics can provide a foundation for students and scholars aiming to explore the depth and breadth of his oeuvre.

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1. Shakespeare’s Tragedies:

• The elements of tragedy in Hamlet .
• Othello’s fatal flaw: An exploration of jealousy.
• Macbeth and the corrupting power of unchecked ambition.
• The role of fate in Romeo and Juliet .
• Portrayal of women in King Lear .
• The theme of betrayal in Julius Caesar .
• Supernatural elements in Macbeth .
• Madness in Hamlet : Genuine or feigned?
• The concept of honor in Titus Andronicus .
• Dualities in Antony and Cleopatra : Love vs. politics.

2. Shakespeare’s Comedies:

• Gender roles and cross-dressing in Twelfth Night .
• The exploration of love in A Midsummer Night’s Dream .
• Satire in The Merchant of Venice .
• The dynamics of disguise in As You Like It .
• Familial ties in Much Ado About Nothing .
• The folly of human desires in The Merry Wives of Windsor .
• The interplay of magic and reality in The Tempest .
• Courtship rituals in Two Gentlemen of Verona .
• The exploration of identity in Comedy of Errors .
• Nature versus nurture in The Taming of the Shrew .

3. Shakespeare’s Historical Plays:

• Depiction of kingship in Richard II .
• The concept of legitimacy in Henry IV, Part I .
• The role of women in Henry V .
• Political manipulation in Richard III .
• Leadership qualities in Henry VIII .
• The impact of war in Henry VI .
• The portrayal of rebels in King John .
• Examination of patriotism in Edward III .
• Morality in Henry IV, Part II .
• The representation of foreign cultures in Henry V .

4. Shakespeare’s Sonnets:

• The theme of time in Shakespeare’s sonnets.
• Exploration of beauty in Sonnet 18.
• Love and its changing nature in the sonnets.
• The dark lady: An analysis of Shakespeare’s muse.
• Sonnet 130: Subverting the conventional idea of beauty.
• Themes of mortality in Shakespeare’s sonnets.
• Exploration of friendship in the sonnets.
• Nature imagery in Shakespeare’s sonnets.
• Shakespeare’s perspective on old age.
• The role of art and poetry in the sonnets.

5. Major Characters Across Plays:

•  The evolution of Lady Macbeth.
• Iago: Shakespeare’s most malevolent character?
• The tragic dimensions of King Lear.
• Hamlet’s indecisiveness and its consequences.
• Falstaff: Comic relief or insightful commentary?
• Juliet’s growth from girlhood to womanhood.
• The transformation of Prince Hal.
• Desdemona: Victim or heroine?
• The multifaceted nature of Cleopatra.
• Portia’s intelligence and wit in The Merchant of Venice .

6. Themes in Shakespeare’s Works:

• Revenge in Shakespeare’s tragedies.
• Exploration of love and loyalty.
• The impact of political power and corruption.
• Nature and its manifestations in Shakespeare’s plays.
• Examination of family and kinship.
• Gender dynamics and its implications.
• Supernatural elements across various plays.
• Social status and hierarchy.
• Themes of war and peace.
• Exploration of human folly and comedy.

7. Shakespeare and the Elizabethan Era:

• Influence of the Elizabethan court on Shakespeare’s works.
• Shakespeare’s representation of Elizabethan women.
• The playhouse: Globe theatre and its impact.
• Elizabethan societal norms in Shakespeare’s plays.
• Religious influences in Shakespeare’s plays.
• Influence of Renaissance humanism.
• Portrayal of monarchy and the divine right of kings.
• The Elizabethan worldview and cosmology in Shakespeare’s works.
• Shakespeare’s plays and the Black Death.
• Exploration of colonization and the New World.

8. Modern Adaptations:

• Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet : A contemporary reimagining.
• The relevance of Othello in the modern age.
• Shakespeare in popular culture: TV and cinema.
• Adapting Shakespeare for young audiences.
• Feminist readings of Shakespearean plays in the 21st century.
• Shakespearean themes in contemporary music.
• Anime adaptations of Shakespeare’s works.
• West Side Story and its roots in Romeo and Juliet .
• The modern-day relevance of The Tempest .
• Adapting Shakespeare’s sonnets into modern poetry.

9. Shakespeare’s Language and Rhetoric:

• Use of iambic pentameter across plays.
• Shakespeare’s inventiveness: New words and phrases.
• Rhetorical devices in Julius Caesar .
• Language as power in Shakespeare’s works.
• The lyricism in Romeo and Juliet .
• The eloquence of Hamlet ’s soliloquies.
• Puns, wordplay, and double entendres.
• Shakespeare’s influence on the English language.
• Exploration of metaphors in Shakespeare’s works.
• The musicality and rhythm of Shakespearean language.

10. Controversies and Conspiracies:

• The Shakespeare authorship question.
• Depiction of Jewish characters: Anti-Semitism in The Merchant of Venice ?
• Was Shakespeare a feminist?
• Shakespeare and his alleged Catholic ties.
• Queer readings of Shakespeare’s works.
• Exploration of Shakespeare’s personal life and its influence on his works.
• The conspiracy of Shakespeare’s “lost plays.”
• Historical accuracy in Shakespeare’s plays.
• Ethical dilemmas presented in Measure for Measure .
• Shakespeare’s perspective on colonialism in The Tempest .

These Shakespeare research paper topics represent only a fragment of the potential areas of exploration. With each reading of his plays and sonnets, a myriad of interpretations and insights can be discovered, proving the timeless nature of his artistry.

Shakespeare and the Range of Research Paper Topics

The legacy of William Shakespeare, often referred to as the Bard of Avon, has persisted for over 400 years, a testament to his universal appeal and unmatched literary prowess. From the bustling streets of Verona in Romeo and Juliet to the windswept heaths of Scotland in Macbeth , Shakespeare’s plays traverse a wide array of settings, characters, and themes, making the range of Shakespeare research paper topics seemingly endless.

Born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare lived during the Elizabethan era, a period known for its flourishing arts, particularly in drama and poetry. It was a time when theater was not just a form of entertainment but a lens through which society’s core values, tensions, and aspirations were examined. Shakespeare, with his innate ability to tap into human emotion, capitalized on this, crafting plays that were as much an exploration of the human psyche as they were of societal norms.

Among the Bard’s most influential works are his tragedies. These plays delve deep into the human condition, exploring themes such as jealousy in Othello , ambition in Macbeth , and the consequences of indecision in Hamlet . The rich tapestry of characters in these plays, from the tormented Prince of Denmark to the ambitious Lady Macbeth, offers researchers an opportunity to explore complex character studies. The very nature of tragedy, as a reflection of the flaws and failures of humanity, provides ample Shakespeare research paper topics.

Equally compelling are Shakespeare’s comedies, which, contrary to their name, often tackle serious subjects but with a light-hearted touch. Consider the gender dynamics in Twelfth Night , where identities are swapped, or the societal critique in The Merchant of Venice , which delves into issues of justice, mercy, and prejudice. These comedies provide a commentary on societal conventions and hypocrisies, making them ripe for academic exploration.

Shakespeare’s historical plays, often based on real figures from English history, can be seen as his commentary on leadership, power, and national identity. The transformation of Prince Hal from a prodigal son to a determined king in the Henry IV series, or Richard III’s Machiavellian rise to power, showcases Shakespeare’s insights into the nature of power and governance. For a researcher keen on intersecting literature with history, these plays offer a goldmine of topics.

Not to be forgotten are Shakespeare’s sonnets, a collection of 154 poems that touch on themes of love, beauty, morality, and the passage of time. These sonnets, with their intricate rhyme schemes and profound thematic depth, are a testament to Shakespeare’s prowess as a poet. Topics like the contrast between the “Dark Lady” and the “Fair Youth” sonnets or the recurring motif of immortality through art provide avenues for exploration in Shakespeare research paper topics.

Shakespeare’s influence extends far beyond the Elizabethan era. The modern age has seen numerous adaptations of his works, from films and television series to reinterpretations in novels and even music. This continued relevance underscores Shakespeare’s understanding of human nature, which remains consistent across time and cultures. For those studying the Bard’s impact on contemporary art and media, the breadth of research topics is vast.

But why does Shakespeare offer such a vast array of research topics? Part of the reason lies in his ability to encapsulate universal themes that transcend time. Themes of love, betrayal, ambition, identity, and fate are as relevant today as they were in the 16th century. His intricate character development, combined with multi-layered plots and subplots, means that every reading or performance can unveil a new interpretation or insight.

Additionally, the mysteries surrounding Shakespeare’s life — from the debated authorship of his plays to his personal beliefs and experiences — add another layer of intrigue to his works. These controversies, combined with the depth and breadth of his writings, mean that the scope for Shakespeare research paper topics is as wide and varied as the plays themselves.

In conclusion, William Shakespeare, through his extensive body of work, offers an unparalleled range of topics for research. His understanding of human nature, combined with his ability to weave intricate narratives and create memorable characters, ensures his continued relevance in academic circles. Whether one is interested in literature, history, psychology, or even modern media studies, Shakespeare’s works provide a robust foundation for exploration, analysis, and discussion.

iResearchNet’s Custom Writing Services

For centuries, William Shakespeare’s works have been studied, analyzed, and revered. His timeless plays and sonnets, rich with complexity and depth, are a challenge and delight for students and scholars alike. However, delving into the intricate world of the Bard and crafting a compelling research paper can be a daunting task. Enter iResearchNet – your ultimate destination for tailored academic assistance. With a profound understanding of Shakespeare research paper topics, we are equipped to provide unparalleled writing services that ensure your academic endeavors are met with success.

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Navigating the vast ocean of Shakespearean literature can be as intriguing as it is challenging. Each play, sonnet, and narrative holds layers upon layers of themes, symbolism, and intricate character development. Embarking on a journey through this realm requires a compass—a guiding hand to ensure you don’t lose your way.

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Sat / act prep online guides and tips, 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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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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Literature Research

• Literary Analysis
• Find Books and More
• Literature and Writing Books
• Journals, Articles, & Databases
• Audiovisual Materials
• Short Stories
• Plays (Drama)
• Cite Your Work

Tips on Analyzing Drama

• Tips and Tools from the UNC Writing Center Discusses important elements to consider when analyzing a play.
• How to Review a Play Tips on how to do a close objective analysis of a performance and an interpretation and evaluation of the entire ensemble of staging, acting, directing, and so on.

Theater Reviews

• Curtain Up The Internet Theater Magazine of Reviews, Features, and Annotated Listings.
• OffOffOnline Your resource for New York City theater Off- and Off-Off-Broadway reviews.

Theater Images

• Broadway Photographs This site supplies cogent biographical profiles and histories of the most artistically significant and culturally influential theatrical photographers and studios.
• New York Public Library Digital Collections, Billy Rose Theatre Division One of the largest and most comprehensive archives devoted to the theatrical arts encompassing dramatic performance in all its diversity.

LibriVox Audiobooks

Follow the links below for just a couple of the offerings from LibriVox . Search the site for much, much more!

• Favourite Scenes From Shakespeare Listen to a collection of 21 scenes from the most popular of Shakespeare's plays! You will also find most of Shakespeare's plays in full on the LibriVox site.
• The One-Act Play Collection A series of 10 volumes comprising one-act plays in the public domain. Listen to the first volume of this series here.
• The Three Sisters Listen to a rendition of Anton Chekhov's naturalistic play about the decay of the privileged class in Russia and the search for meaning in the modern world here.

Here you will find resources specifically related to drama and the theater. They are meant to be consulted in addition to the sources found in other pages of this guide.

Drama and Theater Websites

• Drama Online Features 1200 titles from the pre-eminent theatre lists from Bloomsbury's Methuen Drama and Arden Shakespeare imprints, as well as and Faber and Faber Ltd. Also includes 350 Audio plays from L.A. Theatre Works and 350 modern plays from Nick Hern Books. The platform now also includes video with 21 filmed theatrical performances from Shakespeare's Globe on Screen, 4 early modern drama performances from Stage on Screen, Maxine Peake's Hamlet and a six-hour acting masterclass.
• Global Performing Arts Database (GloPAD) GloPAD (Global Performing Arts Database) records include authoritative, detailed, multilingual descriptions of digital images, texts, video clips, sound recordings, and complex media objects related to the performing arts around the world, plus information about related pieces, productions, performers, and creators.
• Internet Broadway Database Directory of Broadway theaters, with current and recent shows and information about the buildings (date built, architect, capacity, former names, address, etc.).
• Playbill Breaking news stories about casting, new productions, video clips, a "vault" of recent historical information, links to theater merchandise, links to discount tickets.
• Theatre in Context comprehensive online database covering all aspects of the Canadian and American theatre, including 40,000 pages of major reference materials, approximately 30,000 plays, 57,000 people, 5,400 theatres, 22,000 productions, and 2,500 production companies. Includes links to the full text of plays.

Historical Theater Websites

• Perseus Digital Library A massive resource containing numerous texts from Ancient Greek and Roman drama, as well as more recent Western theatrical traditions.
• Didaskalia Didaskalia is a peer-reviewed electronic journal dedicated to the study of all aspects of ancient Greek and Roman performance. Didaskalia is committed to open access and the free dissemination of scholarship.
• Noh Plays English and Japanese translations of 13 Noh plays of the Medieval period, including technical term and glossary information.
• Open Source Shakespeare Open Source Shakespeare attempts to be the best free Web site containing Shakespeare's complete works. It is intended for scholars, thespians, and Shakespeare lovers of every kind. OSS includes the 1864 Globe Edition of the complete works, which was the definitive single-volume Shakespeare edition for over a half-century.

Drama and Theater Books at the STCC Library

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Jeffrey R. Wilson

• Shakespeare Research Guide

This guide is designed for Harvard students and faculty doing research on Shakespeare. Because of the vast number and range of Shakespeare studies, this guide is only an introduction to the field, a survey that is nowhere near exhaustive. The principle of selection was that "less is more": What are the essential readings someone needs to know about to begin research on a topic? It's usually not much more than a couple of classic studies and one or two recent entries in the discussion.

This guide includes reliable editions and key scholarship as well as useful databases, reference works, and research tools (Shakespeare studies is such a vast field that you need a research guide to the research guides). Most of the below items are specific to Shakespeare studies, but sometimes resources used for literary studies more generally are included if they frequently arise when researching Shakespeare. Efforts have been made to provide links, including links to full access for Harvard affiliates, whenever possible.

• Gary Taylor, John Jowett, Terri Bourus, and Gabriel Egan (Eds.), The New Oxford Shakespeare (2016)
• Stephen Greenblatt, Walter Cohen, Jean E. Howard, and Katharine Eisaman Maus (Eds.), The Norton Shakespeare (3rd ed., 2015)
• The Arden Shakespeare Series
• The Pelican Shakespeare Series
• The Norton Shakespeare Series
• The Shakespeare in Performance Series
• World Shakespeare Bibliography   [ Harvard Access]
• The MLA International Bibliography   [ Harvard Access]

Dictionaries

• Oxford English Dictionary   [Harvard Access]
• Lexicons of Early Modern Englis h  [Harvard Access]
• Ben and David Crystal,  Shakespeare’s Words  (2002)
• Stanley Wells,  A Dictionary of Shakespeare  (2 nd  ed., 2005)
• Gordon Williams,  A Glossary of Shakespeare’s Sexual Language  (1997)

Concordances

• Marvin Spevack, The Harvard Concordance to Shakespeare (1973)
• Open Source Shakespeare
• Michael Dobson and Stanley Wells, The Oxford Companion to Shakespeare (2001) [  Harvard Access   ]
• David Scott Kastan, A Companion to Shakespeare (1999)
• Andrew Dickson, The Rough Guide to Shakespeare (2005; revised 2009)
• Richard Dutton and Jean E. Howard, A Companion to Shakespeare’s Works (2003)
• Samuel Crowl, Shakespeare and Film: A Brief Norton Guide (2008)
• Arthur F. Kinney (ed.), The Oxford Handbook of Shakespeare (2012)
• The Cambridge Companions
• Margreta De Grazia and Stanley Wells (Eds.), The New Cambridge Companion to Shakespeare (2nd ed., 2011) [  Harvard Access ]
• Claire McEachern (Ed.), The Cambridge Companion to Shakespearean Tragedy (2nd Ed., 2013) [  Harvard Access ]
• Alexander Leggatt (Ed.), The Cambridge Companion to Shakespearean Comedy (2001) [  Harvard Access ]
• Michael Hattaway (Ed.), The Cambridge Companion to Shakespeare's History Plays (2002) [  Harvard Access ]
• Catherine M. S. Alexander (Ed.), The Cambridge Companion to Shakespeare's Last Plays (2009) [  Harvard Access ]
• Patrick Cheney (Ed.), The Cambridge Companion to Shakespeare's Poetry (2007) [  Harvard Access ]
• Ton Hoenselaars (Ed.), The Cambridge Companion to Shakespeare and Contemporary Dramatists (2012) [  Harvard Access ]
• Stanley Wells and Sarah Stanton (Eds.), The Cambridge Companion to Shakespeare on Stage (2002) [ Harvard Access ]
• Russell Jackson (Ed.), The Cambridge Companion to Shakespeare on Film (2nd ed., 2007) [  Harvard Access ]
• Robert Shaughnessy (Ed.), The Cambridge Companion to Shakespeare and Popular Culture (2007) [  Harvard Access ]

Annotated Bibliographies

• David Bevington, "William Shakespeare," in  Oxford Bibliographies: Renaissance and Reformation   [ Harvard Access ]
• Andrew Hadfield and Amy Kenny, "William Shakespeare," in  Oxford Bibliographies: British and Irish Literature   [ Harvard Access ]
• Larry S. Champion, The Essential Shakespeare: An Annotated Bibliography of Major Modern Studies (1986; 2nd ed., 1993)
• The Garland Shakespeare Bibliographies
• David Bevington, "English Renaissance Drama," in  Oxford Bibliographies: Renaissance and Reformation   [ Harvard Access ]
• Shakespeare Quarterly  [ Harvard Access  ]
• Shakespeare: Journal of the British Shakespeare Association   [ Harvard Access ]
• Shakespeare Studies  [  Harvard Access ]
• Shakespeare Jahrbuch  [  Harvard Access ]
• Borrowers and Lenders: The Journal of Shakespeare and Appropriation  [  Harvard Access ]
• Shakespeare Bulletin  [  Harvard Access ]
• Shakespeare Survey
• Shakespeare International Yearbook  
• Multicultural Shakespeare

Associations

• Shakespeare Association of America
• British Shakespeare Association
• Folger Shakespeare Library
• Shakespeare's Globe

Life and Times

• S. Schoenbaum, William Shakespeare: A Compact Documentary Life (1977; revised 1987)
• Katherine Duncan-Jones, Ungentle Shakespeare: Scenes from his Life (2001)
• Stephen Greenblatt, Will in the World: How Shakespeare Became Shakespeare (2004)
• James Shapiro, 1599:A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare (2005)
• David Bevington, Shakespeare and Biography (2010)
• E.M.W. Tillyard, The Elizabethan World-Picture (1943)
• J. D. Cox and D. S. Kastan, A New History of Early English Drama (1997)
• John Morrill (Ed.), The Oxford Illustrated History of Tudor & Stuart Britain (1996)
• John Cannon (Ed.),  The Oxford Companion to British History (2009)
• Geoffrey Bullough, Narrative and Dramatic Sources of Shakespeare (1957–73)
• Kenneth Muir, The Sources of Shakespeare’s Plays (1977)
• Stuart Gillespie (Ed.), Shakespeare’s Books: A Dictionary of Shakespeare's Sources (2001)

Language and Style

• Sister Miriam Joseph, Shakespeare’s Use of the Arts of Language (1947)
• M. M. Mahood, Shakespeare’s Wordplay (1957)
• Richard A. Lanham, The Motives of Eloquence: Literary Rhetoric in the Renaissance (1976)
• Russ McDonald,  Shakespeare and the Arts of Language  (2001)
• David Crystal,  Think on my Words: Exploring Shakespeare's Language (2008)
• Peter Mack, Reading and Rhetoric in Montaigne and Shakespeare (2010)
• Lawrence Danson, Shakespeare’s Dramatic Genres (2000)
• Anthony R. Guneratne (Ed.),  Shakespeare and Genre: From Early Modern Inheritances to Postmodern Legacies (2011)
• C. L. Barber, Shakespeare’s Festive Comedy (1959, revised 1972)
• Northrop Frye, A Natural Perspective: The Development of Shakespearean Comedy and Romance (1965)
• Franquois Laroque, Shakespeare’s Festive World: Elizabethan Seasonal Entertainment and the Professional Stage (1993)
• A. C. Bradley, Shakespearian Tragedy (1904)
• Stanley Cavell, Disowning Knowledge in Seven Plays of Shakespeare (1987)
• Paul Kottman, Disinheriting the Globe: Tragic Conditions in Shakespeare (2009)
• E. M. W. Tillyard, Shakespeare’s History Plays (1944)
• Lily B. Campbell, Shakespeare’s Histories (1947)
• Peter Saccio, Shakespeare’s English Kings (1977, revised 2000)
• Phyllis Rackin, Stages of History: Shakespeare’s English Chronicles (1990)
• Romances/Tragicomedies
• F.S. Boas, “The Problem Plays,” in Shakespeare and His Predecessors (1896)
• Russ McDonald, Shakespeare’s Late Style (2006)
• Joel Fineman, Shakespeare’s Perjured Eye: The Invention of Poetic Subjectivity in the Sonnets (1986)
• Helen Vendler, The Art of Shakespeare’s Sonnets (1997)

Stephen  Orgel and Sean Keilen (Eds.),  Shakespeare’s Poems (1999)

Textual Issues

• Textual Editing
• Margreta de Grazia,  Shakespeare Verbatim: The Reproduction of Authenticity and the 1790 Apparatus  (1991)
• Leah Marcus, Unediting the Renaissance (1996)

Sonia  Massai,  Shakespeare and the Rise of the Editor (2007)

• David Scott Kastan, Shakespeare and the Book (2001)
• Lucas Erne,  Shakespeare and the Book Trade (2013)
• Ron Rosenbaum, The Shakespeare Wars: Clashing Scholars, Public Fiascoes, Palace Coups (2006)
•  Hugh Craig and Arthur F. Kinney (Eds.),  Shakespeare, Computers, and the Mystery of Authorship (2012)
• The Authorship Question
• Jonathan Hope, The Authorship of Shakespeare’s Plays (1994)
• Brian Vickers, Shakespeare, Co-Author (2002)
• James Shapiro,  Contested Will: Who Wrote Shakespeare?  (2011)
• The Shakespeare Authorship Page

The Critical Tradition

• Brian Vickers, Shakespeare: The Critical Heritage (1974–81)
• Jonathan Bate, The Romantics on Shakespeare (1992)
• Ann Thompson and Sasha Roberts, Women Reading Shakespeare, 1660-1900 (1997)
• Michael Dobson, The Making of the National Poet (1992)
• Michael Taylor (Ed.), Shakespeare Criticism in the Twentieth Century (2001)
• John Gross, After Shakespeare (2003)

Shakespeare and ...

• Shakespeare and English Literature
• Lukas Erne, Shakespeare as Literary Dramatist (2003)
• Shakespeare and Drama
• Anne Righter, Shakespeare and the Idea of the Play (1962)
• Shakespeare and Literary Theory
• Patricia Parker and Geoffrey Hartman (eds.), Shakespeare and the Question of Theory (1985)
• Alternative Shakespeares (3 vols.: 1985, 1996, and 2007)
• Jonathan Gil Harris, Shakespeare and Literary Theory (2010)
• Shakespeare and the Classics
• Jonathan Bate, Shakespeare and Ovid (1994)
• Heather James, Shakespeare’s Troy: Drama, Politics, and the Translation of Empire (1997)
• Charles Martindale and A. B. Taylor (Eds.),  Shakespeare and the Classics (2004)
• Shakespeare and Philosophy
• Arthur F. Kinney, Shakespeare and Cognition: Aristotle’s Legacy and Shakespearean Drama (2006)
• A. D. Nuttall, Shakespeare the Thinker (2007)
• Jennifer Bates and Richard Wilson (Eds), Shakespeare and Continental Philosophy (2014)
• Shakespeare and Politics
• Jonathan Dollimore and Alan Sinfield (Eds.), Political Shakespeare: Essays in Cultural Materialism (1994)
• Louis Montrose, The Purpose of Playing: Shakespeare and the Cultural Politics of the Elizabethan Theatre (1996)
• Andrew Hadfield, Shakespeare and Republicanism (2005)
• Shakespeare and Law
• Bradin Cormack, Martha C. Nussbaum, Richard Strier (Eds.),  Shakespeare and the Law: A Conversation among Disciplines and Professions (2013)
• Andrew Zurcher,  Shakespeare and Law (2014)
• Shakespeare and Religion
• Jonathan Dollimore, Radical Tragedy: Religion, Ideology, and Power in the Drama of Shakespeare and His Contemporaries (1984)
• Allison Shell, Shakespeare and Religion (2010)
• Shakespeare and Psychology
• Ernest Jones, Hamlet and Oedipus (1949)
• Norman Holland, Psychoanalysis in Shakespeare (1966)
• Julia Reinhard Lupton and Kenneth Reinhard, After Oedipus: Shakespeare in Psychoanalysis (1992)
• Harold Bloom, Shakespeare: The Invention of the Human (1998)
• Shakespeare and Race
• James Shapiro, Shakespeare and the Jews (1996)
• Peter Hulme and William H. Sherman,  ‘The Tempest’ and its Travels (2000)
• Ania Loomba, Shakespeare, Race and Colonialism (2002)
• Shakespeare and Gender
• Juliet Dusinberre, Shakespeare and the Nature of Women (1975)
• Patricia Parker, Literary Fat Ladies: Rhetoric, Gender, Property (1987)
• Janet Adelman, Suffocating Mothers: Fantasies of Maternal Origin in Shakespeare’s Plays, Hamlet to the Tempest (1992)
• Stephen Orgel, Impersonations: The Performance of Gender in Shakespeare’s England (1996)
• Bruce Smith, Shakespeare and Masculinity (2000)
• Shakespeare and Sexuality
• Jonathan Goldberg, Queering the Renaissance (1994)
• Bruce R. Smith, Homosexual Desire in Shakespeare’s England: A Cultural Poetics (1994)
• Madhavi Menon (Ed.),  Shakesqueer:  A Queer Companion to the Complete Works of Shakespeare (2001)
• Shakespeare and the Arts
• W. Moelwyn Merchant, Shakespeare and the Artist (1959)
• Jane Martineau (Ed.), Shakespeare in Art (2003)
• Tarnya Cooper, Searching for Shakespeare (2006)
• Shakespeare and Music
• David Lindley, Shakespeare and Music (2006)
• Julie Sanders, Shakespeare and Music: Afterlives and Borrowings (2007)
• Shakespeare and Dance
• Alan Brissenden,  Shakespeare and the Dance  (1981)
• Shakespeare and Modernity
• Jan Kott, Shakespeare Our Contemporary (1964)
• Richard Halpern, Shakespeare Among the Moderns (1997)
• Marjorie Garber,  Shakespeare and Modern Culture (2008)

Performance

• Early Modern Performance
• E. K. Chambers, The Elizabethan Stage (1923)
• Andrew Gurr, The Shakespearean Stage, 1574–1642 (Fourth Edition, 2009)
• Andrew Gurr, Playgoing in Shakespeare’s London (Third Edition, 2004)
• Modern Performance
• J. R. Mulryne , ‎ Margaret Shewring , ‎and  Andrew Gurr (Eds.),  Shakespeare's Globe Rebuilt  (1997)
• Jonathan Bate and Russell Jackson (eds.), The Oxford Illustrated History of Shakespeare on Stage (revised 2001)
• The Actors on Shakespeare Series
• Film and Television Performance
• Lynda E. Boose and Richard Burt, Shakespeare, The Movie: Popularizing the Plays on Film, TV and Video (1997)
• Kenneth S. Rothwell, A History of Shakespeare on Screen (1999, revised 2004)
• Mark Thornton Burnett and Ramona Wray, Screening Shakespeare in the Twenty-First Century (2006)
• Barbara Hodgdon, The Shakespeare Trade: Performances and Appropriations (1998)
• Ton Hoenselaars (Ed.), Shakespeare and the Language of Translation (2004)

Internet Resources

• Shakespeare Magazine
• The Shakespeare Standard
• Shakespeare Post
• Folger Online Resources
• Mr William Shakespeare and the Internet
• Internet Shakespeare Editions
• Royal Shakespeare Company’s Online Resources
• Shake Sphere
• Play Shakespeare
• Encyclopedia Britannica’s Guide to Shakespeare
• The British Library, Shakespeare in Quarto
• The Furness Collection
• JSTOR, Understanding Shakespeare
• Hamlet Works
• Shakespeare’s Globe, The Globe Player
• The English Short-Title Catalogue
• Early English Books Online
• Records of Early English Drama
• The British Universities Film and Video Council, The International Database of Shakespeare on Film, Television and Radio
• Shakespeare Documented
• Shakespeare Unlimited
• LUNA: Folger Digital Image Collection
• Furness Theatrical Image Collection
• Victorian Illustrated Shakespeare Archive
• Royal Shakespeare Company YouTube Channel
• Globe Theatre YouTube Channel
• Shakespeare in Performance
• Kanopy Shakespeare Series
• MIT Global Shakespeares
• Theatre in Video
• Shakespeare Across the Disciplines
• Shakespeareana
• Public Shakespeare

• Essay Topics
• Homework Help
• Essay Types
• Essay Examples
• Become a Tutor

100 Shakespeare Essay Topics for You to Reflect On

Writing your essay on Shakespeare may seem difficult to most students, which is true… until you find our list of 100 amazing essay topics that you can reflect on and choose for your future paper! Even if you already have a problem assigned by your teacher, we are sure that our guide will help you to avoid the common mistakes. We have intentionally divided Shakespeare essay topics by subject, so you can instantly head over to the one that interests you!

Contents (Clickable)

   Take a Look These Great Shakespeare Essay Topics Before You Start:

Before we leave you to look through the vast amount of topics, we have a real treat for you! Our professional English tutors have picked several unique Shakespeare essay examples from our essay database. This way you can look through the actual papers to see the structure and get an idea of how it is done to receive the best grade possible! Since the students always ask us for essay examples, we have listened to your requests, so here you go:

• Shakespeare Hamlet – This paper is an excellent example of a structure that allows you to see what essay elements have to be included and how to do it right.
• Leadership Assignment: What Makes Shakespeare’s King Henry V a Perfect Leader? – For those who like to challenge themselves in an unusual way, this paper explores the soft skills and personality of King Henry V by comparing it with the present times.
• The Symbolism of Nature in Shakespeare’s Richard II – This paper analyzes metaphors, allegories, the mood, setting and the other poetic devices that majority of English literature essays require!
• Othello: Lago’s Character Analysis – Here we have an example of a paper that focuses on a specific element of a play (the character), so if you have a task of such kind, take a closer look!
• Critiques of Sonnets: Sonnet 130 and The Theme of Pain – For the creative minds among us is the paper that compares student’s personal sonnet to Shakespeare’s Sonnet 130!

Now that we have the examples to start with, let us proceed with the list of our Shakespeare essay topics, divided by subject!

Before you start with a selection of a topic that fits you, make sure that you ask your college professor or a teacher about the following:

• Your chosen topic (if allowed to choose) and your thesis statement (if you already have it!).
• Style or a type of your essay (reflective, comparative, debate, analytical, review, etc.).
• Format requirements .
• Word count limit.
• Necessity of a draft and the first deadline.

Trust us, asking about the requirements twice and sorting the possible misunderstandings out will save you the time and nerves! Now, straight to the topics!

   A Midsummer Night’s Dream Essay Topics

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a comedy play. It is set on Fairyland. It talks about the marriage of the Duke of Athens, Theseus and the former queen of the Amazons, Hippolyta. The play also narrates of adventures of four Athenian lovers and six amateur actors.

• What types of love are present in the play? How is the love portrayed in the play? Enumerate scenes from the play to justify your answer.
• How is love portrayed in the context of the gender of the characters?
• Do you see any gender issues in the play? If so, cite them. Do you think that the gender issues you cited are still prevalent in today’s society? Why or why not?
• What are the behaviors of men and women in the play? Why do you think they act that way?
• What is the conflict in the play? Why do you think so?
• How did the characters develop in the play?
• Why do you think Puck is considered as the protagonist?
• Compare and contrast the characters’ perspective on love. Choose one human and one fairy character to make your comparison.
• Why is fantasy (Fairies and magic) present in A Midsummer Night’s Dream? What is its significance? Do you think that it symbolizes something? Why or why not?
• What do you think is/are the significance of the settings of the play? How do the norms differ in each of the settings?
• What are the similarities and differences between the movie version and the play?
• What is/are the themes of the play?
• What is/are the darker aspects of the play? Cite and justify your claims.
• Why is the title of the play A Midsummer Night’s Dream ?
• Read about the criticisms of the play. It can be a literary or a feminist critique. Do you agree or disagree with the critiques? Justify your answer.
• In what ways is this play considered a comedy? Cite some instances in the story.

   Julius Caesar Research Paper Topics

Julius Caesar is a historical and tragedy play. It is based on the events of the Roman civilization.

• How did Caesar rise into power? And what factors have led to his downfall?
• Do you think that ambition led to Caesar’s downfall? Do you think that he is ambitious to a fault? Justify your argument.
• Discuss the political setting/dynamics of the play. How do politics work during Caesar’s time?
• Discuss the setting of the play. You can also highlight the culture and values of the Roman Republic.
• What is/are the role of women in the play and the Roman Republic?
• What role/s do superstitions play in the story?
• What compelled Brutus to murder Caesar, his close friend? Do an analysis.
• How did Brutus and Anthony manage to sway the people’s opinion on Caesar? What were their tactics?
• How are fate and free will manifested in the play?
• Research any political assassination (Ex: Martin Luther King’s assassination ). What are the similarities or differences between your chosen political assassination to Caesar’s assassination?
• Write a comparative analysis of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar and Homer’s The Odyssey.
• How did Plutarch and Shakespeare portray Julius Caesar?
• Compare and contrast one character from Julius Caesar to another character from Shakespeare’s other work (s) (Ex: Othello )
• In your opinion, do you think that the death of Caesar was justified?
• If you were in Brutus’ shoes, would you kill Caesar? Why or why not? Justify your answer.
• Do you think that Brutus was a dishonorable man, considering that he is a traitor to his country and his friend? Why or why not?

   King Lear Essay Topics

King Lear is another of Shakespeare’s tragic plays. Set in ancient Britain, King Lear decides to give up his power and to divide his kingdom amongst his daughters, namely Cordelia, Regan, and Goneril. The largest land will go to the daughter who can profess her love to him the most.

• What are the themes tackled in King Lear?
• What is the significance of old age and death in the play?
• King Lear has a subplot. Discuss the role the subplot plays in the story and give examples.
• In what ways does King Lear fit the template of a tragic hero?
• Between Edmund, Gloucester, and King Lear, who is the most sympathetic character? Take note that these characters have changed as the play progresses.
• What is the role and significance of the Fool in King Lear? Cite examples from the play.
• Write a comparative analysis of King Lear and Oedipus Rex.
• In your opinion, who among the characters is the most interesting? Why?
• How does Shakespeare build tension in King Lear? Cite instances from the play.
• Relate the characters Edmund, Goneril, and Regan with Machiavelli’s principles. Which of the characters are the most Machiavellian? In what ways do Machiavelli’s principles manifest in the characters?
• How is King Lear similar to Kurosawa’s film Ran in terms of characters, plot, and the themes ?
• Discuss and analyze the parent-child relationship in King Lear.

   Macbeth Essay Topics

It is a tragedy about a Scottish general named Macbeth . The plot revolves since the moment when the three witches prophesied that he would be the King of Scotland someday.

• What instances led to Macbeth’s madness? How did he change as a person?
• What is the significance of the three witches in the play? How are they characterized?
• Enumerate the prophecies of the three witches. How were these prophecies fulfilled?
• What do ambition and power signify in the play?
• Do you think that Macbeth is misogynistic? Why or why not? Give examples.
• What do you think is the difference between kingship and tyranny?
• Blood is present in Macbeth. What do you think it symbolizes?
• What role does the weather play in Macbeth? Write down what it symbolizes.
• Are gender roles/issues present in the play? How are these roles/issues illustrated in the play?
• Compare and contrast Macbeth and Malcolm. What makes these men similar and different?
• Is Lady Macbeth or Macbeth most responsible for King Duncan’s murder? Justify.
• Give two minor characters and write how they contributed to the play.

   Othello Essay Topics

Othello is about a general (moor) in the Venetian army and Iago, his ensign. It is one of Shakespeare’s tragic plays.

• What is the role of revenge and jealousy in the play? Give examples.
• Discuss racism in the context of the play. Then, relate it to racism during the Elizabethan period.
• How do other characters portray Othello? How does Othello portray himself? Elaborate on the role of race in the play.
• In your opinion, do you think that Othello is a well-rounded character? Does he fit the template of a tragic hero?
• Do a character analysis of Desdemona.
• Do a feminist critique of Desdemona.
• How did Othello’s flaws lead to his downfall?
• Analyze Iago’s plan . Do you think that it was well-planned or were there luck and opportunity involved?
• Iago is skilled in persuasion. How did Iago manage to convince Roderigo and Brabantio?
• Discuss the role of irony in the play. How is irony used to conceal Iago and Othello’s plans?
• How is loyalty presented in the play? Discuss both its positive and negative aspects of the characters.
• Why do you think that Othello and Desdemona’s relationship was bound to fail? Why was it doomed to fail right from the beginning of the play?
• Do a cultural and historical-critical analysis of Othello.
• Interpret Othello in a Marxist perspective.

   Romeo and Juliet Essay Prompts

While almost anyone knows the plot of the play well, it is still really difficult to come up with a good essay prompt! Have no fear as we know our job! For those who have forgotten, Romeo and Juliet is a romantic tragedy play centering on Romeo and Juliet and the Capulet-Montague family feud.

• Do you agree that Friar Lawrence is to be blamed for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet?
• Why do you think that Romeo and Juliet are considered as “star-crossed lovers”?
• Do you think that the themes in the play are also present in today’s time? Why or why not?
• What is the role of fate/destiny in the play? Do you consider fate/destiny as part of the play’s theme?
• Do you consider Juliet as a feminist? Why or why not?
• How are men and women perceived in Romeo and Juliet?
• Choose one or two characters from the play and do character analysis.
• What is the role of Mercutio in the play? Do you think that he is only a supporting character? Justify your answer.
• How did Juliet develop as a character in the play? What sort of changes occurred and why did the said changes happen?
• Compare and contrast the maturity level of Romeo and Juliet. How have they matured throughout the play? Cite instances.
• How did the Montague-Capulet family feud drive the play’s plot?
• Discuss the parenting styles of Romeo and Juliet’s family. What is the impact of their parenting styles on the young couple?
• Relate the philosophy of death with the couple’s suicidal tendencies.
• Do you think that Romeo and Juliet love each other? Or is it just pure lust or infatuation? Justify your answer.
• Do you think that the couple’s suicidal tendencies are part of pure love or being addicted to love?
• Relate the Romeo and Juliet’s suicidal tendencies to young love.

   The Merchant of Venice Essay Topics

The Merchant of Venice is a romantic comedy play centered around the story of Bassanio, a young Venetian, who needs 3,000 ducats to impress the heiress Portia of Belmont. It is also about the merchant named Antonio, who is short on cash because he invested it on his ships.

• Compare and contrast Venice and Belmont. What does the difference in setting signify?
• What purpose do the three caskets serve in The Merchant of Venice? How do the caskets work as a plot device? What do the choices of Portia’s suitors signify in the play?
• How are the female characters portrayed in the play? What was the status of women in the Elizabethan era?
• What is/are the influence/s of radical feminism in The Merchant of Venice?
• Discuss racism and discrimination in the play. Cite instances to justify your argument.
• How is Portia’s life different or similar to the other characters in the play? Describe the similarities and differences.
• Discuss the friendship of Antonio and Bassanio. What does their friendship say about their personalities?
• Write about the relationship between Shylock and Jessica. In this context, do you sympathize or despise Shylock? Do you sympathize with Jessica? Why or why not?
• Do you think The Merchant of Venice is a comedy considering that it is mostly known for its dramatic scenes? Why or why not?
• Do you think that Shylock is a well-rounded character? If so, what makes him well-rounded?
• Do you sympathize with Shylock? Why or why not?
• Why do you think Shylock is justifying his revenge for Antonio? Justify your answer.
• Who is the most interesting character in the play? Why do you find him/her interesting?
• Do you see Portia as a radical feminist? Justify your answer.

There you go! Now that you have found your way through Shakespeare essay topic, prompts, and the ideas, it is always good to check up with brief biographical information that is advisable to include in your essay!

   Who Is William Shakespeare?

We may know his plays well, but most people know very little about the person behind the plays that we usually read in school!

   William Shakespeare’s Early Life

William Shakespeare was baptized on April 26, 1564, in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. However, scholars speculated and acknowledged that he was born on April 23, 1564. He was an actor, a playwright, and a poet.

On November 28, 1583, 18-year-old William married 26-year-old Anne Hathaway (Yes, that’s his wife’s name!) in Worcester, located in Canterbury province. The couple’s first child was Susanna (May 26, 1583). They had twins- Hamnet and Judith two years later. Later on, 11-year-old Hamnet died of unknown causes.

   Shakespeare’s Career, Death, and Legacy

Documents have shown that William was a managing partner in an acting company in London called the Lord Chamberlain’s Men by early 1590s. The name was changed to King’s Men when King James I was crowned in 1603.

The company was popular, and William was said to have his works sold and published. Moreover, he was known to work as an actor and playwright in London by 1592.

He dedicated his poems Venus and Adonis (1593) and The Rape of Lucrece (1594) to the Earl of Southampton, Henry Wriothesley.

Out of 37 of his plays, 15 of them were already written and produced. William and his business partners built the Globe, their own theater, in 1599 located on the Thames River.

William Shakespeare died on April 23, 1616, when he was only 52-years-old. Interestingly, he was not recognized until the 19th century, beginning from the early 1800s and until the Victorian age. Of course, William’s Shakespeare’s works are still read and studied, so the legacy lives on!

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The Significance of Setting in a Raisin in The Sun

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Theatre History 316: Selected Resources

Examples of research topics, architecture & scenery.

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THT316 traces the evolution of the theatre arts (stagecraft, acting, and directing) from their ancient Greek origins through the end of the 17 century.  While the primary emphasis is on Western theatre, non-Western theatre traditions will also be considered.

For the research paper required for tht316, examples of research topics include:, the evidence and possibilities for scenography in the greek or roman theatre., the development of the skene from the classical to hellenistic period., influences of the greek theatrical spaces on those of the romans., the wing and shutter system as developed in the italian renaissance., the appearance of the proscenium on the renaissance stage., the introduction of italianate scenery to the french stage., evidence for a discovery space on the elizabethan public stage., the “hellmouth” in medieval cycle plays., influence of the medieval interludes on elizabethan comedy., italian settings in elizabethan tragedy., why the need for neoclassical rules in italy, the “gender” question in the plays of female restoration playwrights., the boy actor in tragic female roles in adult companies on the elizabethan stage., the public popularity of all-boy companies of the elizabethan theatre., transvestism in greek tragedy or comedy or roman comedy., medieval cycle performance., medieval morality touring companies., the appearance of women., philip henslowe’s organization of an elizabethan acting company., noble patronage of elizabethan theatre companies., householding and shareholding in the elizabethan theatre., the forced formation of the comedie française after the death of molière., contemporary costumes in “period” plays in the elizabethan theatre., exaggerated physical form in greek old comedy., dressing the devils in medieval cycle or morality plays., commedia dell’arte half-masks., standardized costumes of stock commedia characters., the impact of the peloponnesian war on the city dionysia., “real” received history versus the dramatic version in shakespeare’s richard iii or any one of the chronicle plays., cardinal richelieu’s role in the triumph of neoclassicism in france., anti-theatre or anti-actor laws in italy, france, or england., the relationship of the reformation or counter-reformation and religious plays..

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Play-Based Learning: Evidence-Based Research to Improve Children’s Learning Experiences in the Kindergarten Classroom

• Published: 31 October 2019
• Volume 48 , pages 127–133, ( 2020 )

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• Wanda Boyer 1  

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With a heavy increase in academic expectations and standards to be learned in the early years, educators are facing the challenge of integrating important academic standards into developmentally appropriate learning experiences for children in kindergarten. To meet this challenge, there is a need to become familiar with the role of play in the classroom with an emphasis on developmentally appropriate practices such as play-based learning (PBL). PBL is child-centered and focuses on children’s academic, social, and emotional development, and their interests and abilities through engaging and developmentally appropriate learning experiences. This paper explores the definition of play-based learning (PBL), the theoretical frameworks and historical research that have shaped PBL, the different types of play, the social and academic benefits of PBL, and the ways in which educators can facilitate, support, assess, and employ technology to enhance PBL. The authors will conclude by reflecting on how teaching practices can be informed by evidence-based research to improve children’s learning experiences in the kindergarten classroom.

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Pyle, A., & Bigelow, A. (2014). Play in kindergarten: An interview and observational study in three Canadian classrooms. Early Childhood Education Journal, 43 (5), 385–393. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-014-0666-1 .

Pyle, A., & Danniels, E. (2017). A continuum of play-based learning: The role of the teacher in play-based pedagogy and the fear of hijacking play. Early Education and Development, 28 (3), 274–289. https://doi.org/10.1080/10409289.2016.1220771 .

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Taylor, M.E., Boyer, W. Play-Based Learning: Evidence-Based Research to Improve Children’s Learning Experiences in the Kindergarten Classroom. Early Childhood Educ J 48 , 127–133 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10643-019-00989-7

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126 awesome drama topics to inspire you.

November 10, 2021

As students of literature, you’re already aware drama portrays fictional and nonfictional events. It does this through the performance of written conversations or scripts of prose or poetry.

Drama can either be staged or performed as a film; it can even be broadcast on radios. These are all categorized as plays, and those who write them are called playwrights or dramatists, while those who perform on stage are referred to as thespians.

There are a series of drama topics since the drama was first performed in the days of Aristotle. Being long-standing, you may need creative and comprehensive dramatic topics for your research.

Good Drama Essay Guideline

Writing a top grade drama essay or writing assignment can become difficult. You should try your best and not leave it to the last minute, and dedicate enough time for editing. Here’s a brief guideline on the process of writing a good drama writing assignment:

• Choose topic. Always try your best to choose a topic in which you have at least some interest in. If you choose a topic that is boring you will not have the energy and motivation to put in the work required to write a good essay. Also make sure your topic is not too general, but also not to narrow.
• Research. After you have the topic, it is time to research and get some information and context on your topic. Begin by using the internet to find general information. Then begin to look into specific, credible sources which you can cite in your paper. Try your best to have varied types of sources (videos, articles, studies, books etc.).
• Outline: Once you feel like you did enough research and are comfortable to begin, start with an outline. An outline is a very quick layout of your essay structure. This is where you put everything on your mind on paper, and then begin to organize and forming your paper. A good paper will always be well structure.
• Writing: This is the main part. Once you have an outline you now must take some time and actually write everything out in draft. If you have a substantial outline and good research this part shouldn’t take very long.
• Editing and proofreading: Finally, once you have written a first draft it is time to reread and edit. For the first draft, you shouldn’t strive to make it perfect, so there should be quite a lot of editing to do. It is important to leave a good amount of time for editing, because it is as important as actually writing. A high quality essay should go through a number of drafts before it is acceptable.

Drama is a very interesting topic. Drama is most times built on people’s tensions as it is used to keep them wondering what will happen next. For your theatre topics for research, you can consider these different informative, fun-filled and original research topics .

Theatre Research Paper Topics

As a university student, you may need to develop an awesome drama paper for your certificate. These are papers that talk about the basic features of theatre and its significance in society.

You may need to trace the history of theatre itself, as well as the trend of theatrical performances. You may also need to consider an in depth assessment of how theatre topics shaped the present. You can use these custom topics for your research:

• Examine the role of women in medieval theater.
• Examine the complexities in the history of European theatre.
• Give a historical overview of the evolution of theatre from ancient Greece to the Mid 19th century.
• Examine the influence of Aristotle on the drama of his time and after his time.
• Account for the evolution of American drama.
• Examine any three recorded theatrical performances of the 19th century of your choice and state the unifying factors.
• Give a detailed overview of what ancient Greek theatre is all about.
• Give a detailed review of how ancient Greek theater seems to be replicated today.
• Examine the influence of Greek tragedy on the works of Shakespeare and his contemporary.
• Redefine drama and theatre.
• What distinguishes modern drama and pre-medieval drama?
• Examine the significance of Antigone in Sophocles drama.
• Examine the role of Canadian drama in the world.
• Analyze the role of Bertold Brecht in drama.
• Examine how the stylistics of Shakespeare negates that of Brecht.
• Examine the differences between drama from the United Kingdom to that of Germany during the period of 14 to 18 centuries.
• How has the medieval period Influenced Elizabethan drama?
• What is the significance of Henrik Ibsen in Contemporary drama?
• Examine the Differences between the stylistics of Bertold Brecht, Shakespeare, and Henrik Ibsen.
• Examine what Greek comedy entails in comparison to the comedy of today.

Theatre History Research Topics

You may also require theatre essay topics for long research. These are historical topics that call for in depth research. As students, you can study the past to read more meanings to the present. In this section, you’ll find relevant topics to juxtapose the past and the present and how all these have influenced drama today. Consider:

• Give a detailed analysis of the contemporary influences of The Wizard of Oz.
• Examine the evolution and trends in horror movies.
• Examine the evolution and trends of witchcraft movies.
• How are emotions evoked in the drama of William Shakespeare?
• Examine the subject of homosexual characters in a drama.
• Examine the Influence of Greek drama in creating a symbol and perception of Jesus Christ.
• Examine the stigma which Elizabethan actors were faced with
• Account for the activities of William Blake.
• What are the influences of George Orwell in the American drama Industry?
• Compare and Contrast American drama and British drama.
• Examine the role of symbols in Greek drama.
• Analyze the significance of learning about the history and trend of drama.
• Rationalize the role of Aristotle’s treatise on today’s drama.
• Compare and contrast the Bollywood and Hollywood Industries.
• Document the role of drama in the spread of racism before the end of slavery in America.
• Examine the role of slaves in circus performances.
• Examine any circus performance company of your choice and carefully detail their exploits.
• Examine the evolution of tragic-comedy in drama.
• Examine how the church has stopped drama before the 10th century.
• Give an in depth overview of the complications in stage drama in a world dominated by films.

Theatre Essay Topics

As a college or university student, you may also need to create theatre essay topics for your classroom work. You may even need it for an assignment. Creating a good topic is essential to writing one of the best essays. You can consider any of these drama ideas for your essay:

• Examine the life and times of Caryl Churchill.
• What are the experiences of theatre houses with strict censorship?
• Discuss the effects of the closing and reopening of American theatre houses throughout the centuries.
• Account for the role of tragedy in Shakespeare’s books.
• Account for the essence of “Squid Game” in the polarized world.
• Account for the essence of “Squid Game” in demeaning humanity.
• What are your reflections on the subject of realism?
• Examine two plays of your choice and analyze them.
• What do you think took Shakespeare’s plays to the global stage?
• What is the influence of Spanish theatre on Latin American drama?
• Examine the effects of globalization on theatre.
• Examine the emergence of black actors on white-dominated stages.
• What are the symbols in French theatre?
• What are the reputable symbols of Italian theatre?
• How has the Elizabethan theatre shaped drama today?
• Criticize any performance of your choice.
• Praise any performance of your choice.
• Compare two or more performances of Macbeth by different themes: focus on their diction and costume.
• Examine what a drama portfolio means.
• Examine the distinguishing factors of modern theatres and Greek theatre.

Interesting Theatre History Topics

Interesting theatre history topics are topics that consider the fun and lighter part of the past in drama. These are topics that could border on present issues and how they relate to the last and past issues. For your comprehensive theatre historical research topics, you can consider the following:

• How have social issues been challenged or discussed through drama?
• Examine the significance of Dionysus on the history of drama.
• Examine the myths in stage performances.
• Examine the personages in Greek drama.
• How does television drama share family virtues as expected in the UK?
• What are the essential performance skills for a circus act?
• What do you know about the adaptation of s cinematic performance to the screen?
• Compare and contrast the relationship between acting and expression.
• Examine the symbols in Chinese tragedy.
• Critically examine the role of the depiction of disobedience in three Theban plays.
• What is the usual pop culture which is frequent on television?
• Examine the negro movement and its role in the drama.
• How has theatre survived the restoration period?
• Examine the role of drama in musical performances.
• Evaluate the function of identity crisis in drama and acting.
• Evaluate the metaphors and what they mean Shakespeare’s The Tempest.
• Examine how Shakespeare’s plays exhibited chivalry.
• Examine how Shakespeare’s plays exhibited the priority in royalty.
• What are the philosophies of theatre that have shaped it today?
• Examine the evolution of drama and its changing significance in society.

Musical Theatre Research Topics

As students of theater, you may also need drama ideas relating to musical theatre research topics. These are topics that talk about the musical performance of plays. There were many of these centuries ago. One of the most important is opera. You can examine the following traditions and genres for your theatre class homework or essay:

• Examine the purpose and significance of comic opera.
• Compare and contrast farsa and fasta teatrale operatic performances.
• Comment on the use of lights in opera performances.
• Comment on the use of curtains in opera performances.
• Examine the technical skills required for. effective opera performances
• Identify the role of pop culture in opera.
• Comment on the life and times of any two sopranos of choir choice.
• Examine what operetta means.
• How does ballet fit into musical performances, and what is its essence?
• Evaluate the significance of musical performances in enjoying the drama.

Drama Topics for School Students

You may also need drama topics for teenagers for your drama class. If you have enrolled in a drama class as a student, you can try out some of these scenes. These could be graphic and romantic scenes. Depending on the event in your school, you can secure your spot in the national drama team by acting any of the following:

• Tennessee Williams and Lucy Bailey’s Baby Doll.
• Act any scene of romance in Shakespeare’s plays.
• Act any three scenes of compassion in Henrik Ibsen’s play.
• Act any three scenes of valor in Shakespeare’s plays.
• Build on a comedy scene in Shakespeare’s play and make it funnier in the contemporary understanding of fun.
• Play the role of divorce couples arguing over the children and exhibit the mental stress on the children.
• Act the roles of violence in settling Political scores.
• Read any historical horror story and act three scenes on stage.
• Make entertainment with Halloween masks.
• Play a role where you manipulate people into your perverted desires.
• Play a role of a president refusing to leave power.
• Take any three scenes in “Lights Over Tesco Park” by Jack Bradfield and Poltergeist Theatre and perform them to the best of your ability.
• Perform any German drama of your choice.
• Engage in a musical performance.
• Perform without saying words, only gestures.
• Perform No Quarter by Polly Stenham.
• Perform scenes about the consequences of drugs.
• Perform scenes about the cruelty of sexual violence.
• Perform scenes about the need for religion for social order.
• Perform scenes about the Russian revolution.

Drama Thesis Topics

As students of drama, you may likewise need drama thesis topics for your project or paperwork. You can even need them for your essays. You can consider these awesome topics to create one of the most relevant pieces in the theory of drama. You can choose any of these custom and available topics:

• Interrogate the growth of Latin American dramatic culture in the UK.
• Discuss the growth of Hollywood in the world.
• Discuss the growth and evolution of Bollywood in the world.
• Examine the role of pornography in the industry.
• Discuss the role of Canadian musical performances in the international space.
• Examine how the standards in the industry have changed if any.
• Elucidate how drama is used to advance feminist ideas.
• Comment on science fiction and its falsity to reality.
• Briefly examine any Hollywood thriller of your choice.
• Examine the issues of sexual exploitation in Hollywood.
• How was drama used as propaganda in the Soviet Union?
• Examine how China used drama during the cultural revolution.
• Examine the role of subtitles in helping non-language speakers relate to drama from any culture.
• Examine how modern drama brings back terror and trauma through collective pain.
• How has black lives matter influenced drama?
• Comment on any two theatre or circus groups of your choice and why they haven’t stopped.

Running Late On Your Drama Writing?

With all these custom topics online, you can carefully carry out precise research for your drama paperwork or essay. You can also use these to create the best submission ever in your school.

However, you may be too busy to write your drama paperwork or essay. We are a reliable writing company with experts that offer all kinds of research paper help . We have reliable professors and teachers amongst our writers, and they are willing to offer their creativity every time.

With a click of your fingers, you can hire the best writing service available online at this moment for your work. Our customer support team is available 24/7 to help you through any challenge. With us, you can get a comprehensive essay at a cheap price for a fast turnaround time to secure your grades.

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500 Good Research Paper Topics

Bonus Material: Essential essay checklist

Writing a research paper for a class and not sure how to start?

One of the most important steps to creating a great paper is finding a good topic! 

Here’s a hand-drafted list from a Princeton grad who has helped professors at Harvard and Yale edit their papers for publication and taught college writing at the University of Notre Dame and .

What’s more, we give you some foolproof formulas for creating your own paper topic to fit the requirements of your class.

Using these simple formulas, we’ve helped hundreds of students turn a B- paper topic into an A+ paper topic.

Keep reading for our list of 500 vetted research paper topics and our magic formulas for creating your own topic!

Of course, if you want help learning to write research papers tailored to your individual needs, check out our one-on-one writing coaching or academic writing workshop . Set up a free consultation to see how we can help you learn to write A+ papers!

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What is a research paper?

In order to write a good research paper, it’s important to know what it is! 

In general, we can divide academic writing into three broad categories:

• Analytical: analyze the tools an author uses to make their point
• Research: delve deeply into a research topic and share your findings
• Persuasive : argue a specific and nuanced position backed by evidence

What’s the difference between an analytical paper and a research paper? For an analytical paper, it’s okay to just use one or two sources (a book, poem, work of art, piece of music, etc.) and examine them in detail. For a research paper, however, the expectation is that you do, well . . . research .

The depth of research that you’re expected to do will depend on your age and the type of class you’re taking.

In elementary or middle school, a “research paper” might mean finding information from a few general books or encyclopedias in your school library. 

In high school, your teachers might expect you to start using information from academic articles and more specific books. You might use encyclopedias and general works as a starting point, but you’ll be expected to go beyond them and do more work to synthesize information from different perspectives or different types of sources. You may also be expected to do “primary research,” where you study the source material yourself, instead of synthesizing what other people have written about the source material.

In college, you’ll be required to use academic journals and scholarly books, and your professors will now expect that you be more critical of these secondary sources, noticing the methodology and perspectives of whatever articles and books you’re using. 

In more advanced college courses, you’ll be expected to do more exhaustive surveys of the existing literature on a topic. You’ll need to conduct primary research that makes an original contribution to the field—the kind that could be published in a journal article itself.

For a walkthrough of the 12 essential steps to writing a good paper, check out our step-by-step guide .

Working on a research paper? Grab our free checklist to make sure your essay has everything it needs to earn an A grade.

Get the essential essay checklist

What makes a good research paper topic?

One of the most important features of a research paper topic is that it has a clear, narrow focus. 

For example, your teacher may assign you to write a research paper related to the US Revolutionary War. Does that mean that your topic should be “the US Revolutionary War”? 

Definitely not! There’s no way to craft a good paper with in-depth research with such a broad topic. (Unless you’re in elementary or middle school, in which case it’s okay to have a more general topic for your research paper.)

Instead, you need to find a more specific topic within this broader one. There are endless ways that you can make this narrower! Some ideas generated from this one broader topic might be:

• Causes of the US Revolutionary War
• Changes in military strategy during the Revolutionary War
• The experiences of Loyalists to England who remained in the American colonies during the Revolutionary War
• How the Revolutionary War was pivotal for the career of Alexander Hamilton
• The role of alliances with France during the US Revolutionary War
• The experiences of people of color during the Revolutionary War
• How George Washington’s previous military career paved the way for his leadership in the Revolutionary War
• The main types of weaponry during the Revolutionary War
• Changes in clothing and fashion over the courses of the Revolutionary War
• How Valley Forge was a key moment in the Revolutionary War
• How women contributed to the Revolutionary War
• What happened in Amherst, Massachusetts during the Revolutionary War
• Field medicine during the Revolutionary War
• How the Battle of Saratoga was a turning point in the Revolutionary War
• How different opinions about the Revolutionary War were reflected in poetry written during that time
• Debates over abolition during the Revolutionary War
• The importance of supply chains during the Revolutionary War
• Reactions to the US Revolutionary war in Europe
• How the US Revolutionary war impacted political theory in England and France
• Similarities and differences between the US Revolutionary War and the French Revolution
• Famous paintings inspired by the US Revolutionary War
• Different ways that the US Revolutionary War has been depicted in modern contemporary culture
• The appropriation of the “Boston Tea Party” by US politicians in the 2010s

This list could go on forever!

In fact, any of these topics could become even more specific. For example, check out the evolution of this topic:

• Economic causes of the Revolutionary war
• The way that tax policies helped lead to the Revolutionary War
• How tax laws enacted 1763–1775 helped lead to the Revolutionary War
• How the tax-free status of the British East India Company helped lead to the Revolutionary War
• How the 1773 tax-free status of the British East India Company helped lead to the Revolutionary War, as reflected in letters written 1767–1775
• How the 1773 tax-free status of the British East India Company helped lead to the Revolutionary War, as reflected in letters written by members of the Sons of Liberty 1767–1775

As you advance in your educational career, you’ll need to make your topic more and more specific. Steps 1–3 of this topic might be okay in high school, but for a college research paper steps 4–7 would be more appropriate!

As you craft your research paper topic, you should also keep in mind the availability of research materials on your subject. There are millions of topics that would make interesting research papers, but for which you yourself might not be able to investigate with the primary and secondary sources to which you have access.

Access to research materials might look like:

• To the best of our knowledge, the sources exist somewhere
• The source isn’t behind a paywall (or you or your school can pay for it)
• Your school or local library has a copy of the source
• Your school or local library can order a copy of the source for you
• The source is in a language that you speak
• The source has been published already (there’s tons of amazing research that hasn’t been published yet, a frustrating problem!)
• You can access the archive, museum, or database where the primary source is held—this might mean online access or travel! To access a source in an archive or museum you’ll often need permission, which often requires a letter of support from your school.

If you’re not sure about access to source materials, talk to a librarian! They’re professionals for this question.

Finally, pick a research topic that interests you! Given that there are unlimited research topics in the world and many ways to adapt a broad topic, there should absolutely be a way to modify a research topic to fit your interests.

Want help learning to write an amazing research paper? Work one-on-one with an experienced Ivy-League tutor to improve your writing skills or sign up for our bestselling academic writing workshop .

Insider tips to generate your own research paper topic

Use these formulas to generate your own research paper topics:

• How did X change over a period of time (year, decade, century)?
• What is the impact (or consequences) of X?
• What led to X?
• What is the role of X in Y?
• How did X influence Y?
• How did X become Y?
• How was X different from Y?
• How is X an example of Y?
• How did X affect Y?
• What were some reactions to X?
• What are the most effective policies to produce X result?
• What are some risks of X?
• How is our current understanding of X incorrect? (advanced)
• What happens if we look at X through the lens of Y theory or perspective? (advanced)

A good research paper topic often starts with the question words—why, how, what, who, and where. Remember to make it as specific as possible!

Good research paper topics

These research paper topics have been vetted by a Princeton grad and academic book editor!

• How did European rivalries (British vs French) impact North American history?
• What was the role of British and French alliances with indigneous tribes during the Seven Years’ War?
• Reactions to the 1754 Albany Congress among North American intellectual figures
• How the Albany Plan served as a model for future attempts at union among the North American colonies
• How did different religious identities (Calvinist, Catholic, etc.) play a role in the aftermath of the Seven Years’ War?
• What were the consequences of the 1763 Treaty of Paris?
• How did the Seven Years’ War impact British debt and colonial economics?
• What were some causes of the US Revolutionary War?
• How did military strategy change during the Revolutionary War?
• What were the experiences of Loyalists to England who remained in the American colonies during the Revolutionary War?
• How was the Revolutionary War pivotal for the career of Alexander Hamilton?
• What was the role of alliances with France during the US Revolutionary War?
• What were the experiences of people of color during the Revolutionary War?
• How did George Washington’s previous military career pave the way for his leadership in the Revolutionary War?
• What were the main types of weaponry during the Revolutionary War? How did that affect the options for military strategies?
• How did clothing and fashion change over the courses of the Revolutionary War?
• How was Valley Forge a key moment in the Revolutionary War?
• How did women contribute to the Revolutionary War?
• What happened in Amherst, Massachusetts (or any other specific location) during the Revolutionary War?
• What was field medicine like during the Revolutionary War? 
• How was the Battle of Saratoga a turning point in the Revolutionary War?
• How were different opinions about the Revolutionary War reflected in poetry written during that time?
• What were the debates over abolition during the Revolutionary War?
• What was the role of supply chains during the Revolutionary War?
• What were reactions to the US Revolutionary war like in Europe? What does that tell us about politics in England, France, the Netherlands, etc?
• How did the US Revolutionary war impact political theory in England and France?
• What are similarities and differences between the US Revolutionary War and the French Revolution?
• What are some famous paintings inspired by the US Revolutionary War? What do differences between these paintings tell us about how the artists who created them saw the war?
• What are some different ways that the US Revolutionary War has been depicted in modern contemporary culture? What does that tell us?
• How was the story of the “Boston Tea Party” appropriated by US politicians in the 2010s, and why?
• What was the difference between the Federalists and the Jeffersonians?
• How did the 1797 XYZ Affair lead to the Quasi-War with France?
• How were loans from European countries and companies (France, Spain, Dutch bankers) key to the early US?
• What were reactions to the Constitutional Convention of 1787?
• Why did the US remain neutral during the French Revolution?
• How did the Alien and Sedition acts contribute to the election of Thomas Jefferson as president?
• What was the US’s reaction to the Haitian revolution? Why did the US not recognize Haitian independence until 1862?
• What were the reactions to John Jay’s Treaty of 1794?
• How have the remarks made by George Washington in his Farewell Address inspired isolationist policies?
• How did interpretations of the Monroe Doctrine change over the decades since its creation? 
• How did the Roosevelt Corollary and Lodge Corollary change and expand the Monroe Doctrine?
• How did the presence of US companies like the United Fruit Company affect US military interventions in Latin America? 
• How was the Monroe Doctrine invoked in the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962? 
• How was US culture shaped by the Cold War?
• How did ecology play a role in the rise of Ancient Egypt?
• How did water management technologies impact Ancient Egypt?
• How did bureaucracies function in Ancient Egypt?
• How did Egyptian art influence Ancient Greek art?
• Who could be a citizen in Athens in the 5th century BCE? What does this tell us about classical Athenian society?
• What was the impact of the Peloponnesian War?
• What was the impact of Alexander the Great’s attempt to create an empire?
• How does the way that Alexander the Great is represented in art demonstrate conceptions about the relationship between the human and the divine?
• Was there a conception of race in the ancient world? How were these ideas different from our own modern conceptions of race?
• What was the role of debt slavery in the Roman republic? How were these policies ended, and what is the significance of the end of debt slavery? What kinds of slavery remained?
• To what degree does the movie Gladiator accurately the Roman Empire in 176–192 CE?
• What was the role of slavery in managing the large latifundia ?
• How and why did the emperor Constantine I adopt Christianity?
• How did patterns of urbanism in the latter Roman empire change? What does this tell us about challenges being faced at that time?
• What do reactions to the Byzantine empress Theodora tell us about ideas of gender in 6th-century Byzantium?
• How did scientific advancements in Islamic Spain influence the rest of Europe?
• What was the relationship between Muslim, Christian, and Jewish populations in Islamic Spain? How does this compare to the experience of Muslim and Jewish populations in Christian Spain?
• How did medieval troubadour poetry represent a new idea of romantic relationships?
• What are similarities and differences between medieval troubadour poetry and lyric poetry in Ancient Greece? 
• What do letters between women and popes tell us about gender, power, and religion in medieval Europe?
• In what ways was Hildegard of Bingen groundbreaking for her time?
• Who produced beer in medieval England, and what does this tell us about society?
• How did the adoption of hops affect the production and distribution of beer?
• How did beer production allow some women a way to be financially independent?
• How was clothing used to mark religious and cultural identities in 15th- and 16th-century Spain?
• How did print culture change relationships and courting in Georgian England?
• How did churches function as social gathering spaces in Georgian England?
• To what degree is Netflix’s Bridgerton series historically accurate?
• How did ideas of love change in the 18th century? How did philosophy play a role in this?
• When were Valentine cards first commercially available? What does that show us about cultural ideas of love and courtship?
• What were the consequences of the desertification of the Sahara?
• How did trade links on the Red Sea influence Nubian culture?
• How did Carthage build power in Northern Africa around 600–500 BCE?
• What was the impact of the Mercenary War (241–238 BCE) in Carthage?
• How did the Roman province of Africa play a key role in financing the Roman Empire?
• What were the consequences of the Donatist division in the 300s in Northern Africa?
• What was the impact of the large-scale movement of Bedouins from the Arabian peninsula into the Maghreb?
• How was Mande society organized in the Mali Empire? 
• What was the role of the book trade in Timbuktu? What does this tell us about culture and learning in the Mali Empire?
• How did Aksum use trade to build wealth and power? 
• What do Nok terracotta sculptures tell us about Nok culture?
• How did the Luba Empire create a centralized political system? How did the idea of spiritual kins ( balopwe ) play a role in this system?
• How did tax collection work in the Lunda empire?
• What does it mean to say that the Ajuran Empire was a hydraulic empire? How did control over water resources allow the Ajuran Empire to build and consolidate power?
• What is the significance of diplomatic ties between the Somai Ajuran Empire and Ming dynasty China? 
• How did the tribute system in the Kingdom of Kongo help to stimulate interregional trade?
• What was the impact of the introduction of maize and cassava to the Kingdom of Kongo?
• How did women wield influence in the Kingdom of Benin?
• How did the Industrial Revolution in Europe help lead to the Scramble for Africa 1878–1898?
• What were the consequences of the Second Boer War?
• What happened in the Year of Africa (1960)?
• How did the Han dynasty consolidate power in frontier regions? 
• How and why did the Han dynasty nationalize the private salt and iron industries in 117 BCE?
• What are the earliest records of papermaking, and what is the significance of this invention?
• What was the role of Daoist religious societies in rebellions at the end of the Han dynasty (Yellow Turban Rebellion, Five Pecks of Rice Rebellion)?
• What do tomb paintings tell us about ancient Chinese society?
• What was the impact of the Sui dynasty’s standardization and re-unification of the coinage?
• What was the role of standardized testing in Sui dynasty and Tang dynasty China?
• Why is the Tang dynasty often regarded as a golden age of cosmopolitan culture in Chinese history?
• What was the role of slavery in imperial China? 
• How did the rise of jiedushi (regional military governments) undermine the civil-service system? What were the consequences of this?
• How did Tang dynasty China exert power over Japan and Korea?
• What was the Three Departments and Six Ministries system in imperial China and how did it work?
• What does the appearance of Inca, Maya, and Aztec goods in North America (Utah, Canada) and the appearance of goods from the Great Lakes region in Maya and Aztec ruins tell us about trade in the Pre-Columbian Americas?
• How did celebration of maize play a central role in Mesoamerican cultures?
• How did the Aztec empire use relationships with client city-states to establish power? How did the Aztec empire use taxation to exert power?
• How did the luxury good trade impact Aztec political power? 
• How did the building of roads play a key role in the Aztec empire?
• How and why has archaeology played a pivotal role in expanding our understanding of the pre-Columbian Americas?
• What are some common misconceptions about the Americas in the year 1491? Why do these misconceptions exist?

Latin American History (post-1492)

• How and why did the Spanish appropriate Aztec sites of significance (e.g. Mexico City at the site of Tenochtitlan)?
• What were reactions among Latin American intellectuals (e.g. Luis María Drago, Alejandro Álvarez and Baltasar Brum) to the Monroe Doctrine?
• How was the US’s involvement in the Venezuela Crisis of 1902–1903 a pivotal turning point in the relationship between the US and Latin American countries?
• What were the effects of the US’s involvement in the Cuban War for Independence?
• How did the Roosevelt Corollary of 1904 benefit the US?
• How did Simon Bolivar’s time in Europe affect his ideas about Latin American independence?
• How did 19th century academic societies play a role in the advancement of scientific discoveries? Who was excluded from these societies?
• How was music connected to the sciences in medieval thinking?
• When was the concept of zero first used, and how was it instrumental for advancements in math?
• What role did Islamic Spain play in the spread of scientific advancements in medieval Europe?
• What role has translation between languages played in the development of sciences?
• Why were Galileo’s ideas about astronomy controversial at the time?
• What was the connection between art and advancements in human anatomy?
• Why were Darwin’s ideas about natural selection controversial at the time?
• To what degree does the film Master and Commander accurately depict the voyages of Charles Darwin?
• How did the discovery of quinine and other medical innovations help to facilitate the European colonization of Africa?
• How and why was the internet invented?
• Does Virgil’s Aeneid celebrate the new Roman Empire or subvert it?
• Why was the poet Ovid exiled from Rome?
• What are the pagan influences in Beowulf ? What are the Christian elements in Beowulf ? What does that tell us about late Anglo-Saxon England?
• How does Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales reflect gender roles in late medieval England?
• How does Dante’s Inferno draw on book IV of Virgil’s Aeneid ? 
• How are gender roles presented and subverted in Shakespeare’s plays?
• To what degree did Henry David Thoreau live out the ideals he described in Walden in his own life?
• How did the serialized publication of novels affect the way that they were written?
• Does Dickens’ novel A Tale of Two Cities accurately portray the French Revolution?
• How did 18th-century novels propagate the idea of marrying for love?
• What did contemporary readers think about Jane Austen and her novels?
• To what degree do Jane Austen’s novels reflect economic realities for women in Regency England? What do they leave out?
• How did Lord Byron’s personal life affect his poetry?
• What do we know about the romantic life of Emily Dickinson?
• What were the religious movements that influenced the writer George Eliot, and how do those influences appear in her novels?
• In what ways were Walt Whitman’s writings new or different?
• How did British poets react to the horrors of Word War I?
• What do Tolkien’s letters reveal about the ways in which the two world wars influenced his writings?
• How did the friendship between CS Lewis and Tolkien affect their respective writings?
• What are the arguments for and against Catalonian independence from Spain?
• What are the arguments for and against Scottish independence from the United Kingdom?
• What are some risks of contact sports, especially for children?
• What are the most effective policies for combating childhood obesity?
• What are the most effective policies for reducing gun violence?
• Which countries have the longest life expectancy and why?
• What are some differences between the healthcare system in the US and in European countries? Which country has the most similar system to the US?
• What policies for parental leave exist in different countries? What are some effects of these policies?
• Has the drinking age in the US always been 21? What have been some different policies, and what were some consequences of them?
• What is the debate around museum artifacts like the Elgin Marbles in London or the Benin Bronzes in Berlin?
• How have politicians attempted to control population growth in different countries, either directly or indirectly? What have been some effects of these policies?
• Which countries have the most gender parity reflected in national governments? How have they accomplished this?
• How has public funding of K-12 education changed since the 1930s in the US? 
• How has public funding of higher education changed in the US?
• What is early childhood education like in different countries?
• What are some effects of free or reduced-cost meals in schools?
• How does access to menstrual products affect education outcomes for girls in different countries?
• What was the impact of Rousseau’s writings on education?
• How did Plato’s ideal forms of government reflect contemporary Athenian concerns about the unruly masses ( demos )?
• How did Aristotle justify slavery?
• How has wealth inequality increased in recent decades?
• How is inflation calculated, and what are the implications of this methodology?
• How have genetically-engineered crops changed the way that the planet feeds itself?
• How has animal testing changed since 2000?
• How is animal testing regulated differently in different countries?

Health Sciences and Psychology

• How do different societies reflect the natural circadian rhythms of the human body?
• How does secondhand smoke affect the human body?
• How does lack of sleep affect the body?
• How does stress affect the body?
• What are some ways to reduce stress?
• How have cancer treatments changed in the past 30 years?
• Why is it hard to find a “cure” for cancer?
• How has the Human Genome Project changed medical science?
• How were the Covid vaccines developed so quickly? What is the difference between the various Covid vaccines that have been developed?

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Related posts

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Emily graduated  summa cum laude  from Princeton University and holds an MA from the University of Notre Dame. She was a National Merit Scholar and has won numerous academic prizes and fellowships. A veteran of the publishing industry, she has helped professors at Harvard, Yale, and Princeton revise their books and articles. Over the last decade, Emily has successfully mentored hundreds of students in all aspects of the college admissions process, including the SAT, ACT, and college application essay. 

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Research Paper Guide

Research Paper Topics

Last updated on: Nov 20, 2023

Good Research Paper Topics & Ideas for Students

By: Nathan D.

22 min read

Reviewed By: Chris H.

Published on: May 28, 2019

Research paper writing is an essential part of education. It is necessary because it helps the students to develop a critical view of different issues of life and society. In addition to that, research writing enables students to develop their argumentative and persuasive skills.

The foremost step of the  research paper writing  process is selecting the topic. Teachers do not provide research topics to students and give them the freedom to go with something that interests them.

The purpose is that teachers want to assess the student’s ability from their writing. This can be done without forcing a difficult topic for research on them. While selecting the topics, students must ensure not to opt for a topic they can easily find information on. But with something for which you can craft an interesting and debatable thesis statement.

Selecting a perfect topic seems like a problem to almost all students. Every other topic seems interesting at first glance. However, that same topic becomes too difficult when the students research the details and existing information about it.

Don’t worry. We have compiled a great list of research topics that you can use for your help.

So get ready to explore some interesting examples of research topics for your paper.

On this Page

Research Paper Topics for Different Education Levels

We have categorized topics for different education levels to cater to the needs of all students. So let’s have a look at our research topics for students…

Middle School Research Paper Topics

• How can we protect our environment?
• How is instant messaging affecting literacy?
• Effective ways of achieving your academic goals.
• A movie that influenced its generation.
• Always choose a good idea or topic to write about.
• Standardized tests aren’t a useful measure to judge a student’s capabilities.
• Pros and cons of going completely vegan.
• What is the impact of diversity on a society’s development and progress?
• What is the role of music in soothing someone?
• How to choose an easy research paper topic?
• Significance of learning different languages.
• Importance of physical activities.
• Bullying and its effects on mental health.
• How do learning techniques influence learning behavior?
• Pros and cons of distant learning.

High School Research Paper Topics

Looking for interesting research topics for high school students? Here you go, select one of these best topics and ace your grades...

• Should school students choose a controversial topic?
• Should prayer be a part of high school?
• Do kids focus better in same-sex schools?
• Should the government control what is served in school cafeterias?
• Does anyone ever use math formulas in real life?
• Should high schools make their students undergo leadership training?
• The high school curriculum should include subjects related to real life. Discuss.
• Examine the jail system of China.
• Discuss Plato’s philosophy regarding maths and how did he contribute to it?
• What are the psychological effects of the Holocaust on the survivors?
• Writing a research paper and improving your skills.
• Media coverage of the Vietnam War Vs. War on Terror.
• Significance of Industrial Revolution.
• Significance of being Nuclear Power in the world.
• How can poverty be eradicated in underdeveloped countries?

College Research Paper Topics

This list provide some engaging research topic for college students. So, if you’re stuck on deciding your research topic, then have a look at the topics below: 

• 4-year college degree vs. 2-year degree.
• Distance learning and its usefulness.
• How should students plan for college tuition?
• How does substance abuse affect the performance of college students?
• Can an average person become a politician, and how?
• IELTS Vs. TOEFL.
• Children should choose those subjects that interest them. Agreed?
• Colleges should have education consultants to help students.
• College dropouts are more likely to become billionaires. Do you agree?
• The College curriculum should include specific classes for boys and girls.
• Physical punishments and their impact on children.
• Importance of getting a degree in professional life.
• How to be successful in life?
• Emerging graduate programs.
• The flawed education system of the United States.

Don’t give up reading here because this list has plenty more interesting and easy research topic ideas. So continue reading to explore them all now…. 

Discover Captivating Topics in a Click!

Research Paper Topics for 2023

Are you looking for the latest research topic ideas for different fields? The following list created by the professional writers of 5StarEssays.com  will be helpful.

History Research Paper Topics

• How did the Civil War impact the history of the United States of America?
• What were the prominent features of the Roman Empire?
• Explain the havoc caused by World War II.
• How did the depression era contribute to the change in the ideology of the general population?
• Was Martin Luther King really a reformist?
• Is racial discrimination still a part of American society?
• Compare and contrast between the Neolithic period and the stone age.
• Discuss the French Revolution in detail.
• What is Hippie culture? Trace and explain its origins and influences.
• What is the significance of the Battle of Hastings in the history of England?
• History and origin of Feminism.
• Political events that fueled up WWII.
• The use of propaganda by Hitler.
• The similarities and differences in the literature of the 18th and 19th centuries.
• Causes and effects of the War on Terror.

You can also get more  history research topics  here for your academic assignment.

Paper Due? Why Suffer? That's our Job!

Art Research Paper Topics

• Differentiate between the achievements of the Northern Renaissance and the Italian Renaissance.
• Is the media portrayal of minorities realistic?
• How did Rap music become a part of American society?
• How did the music brought by the slave community become dominant in modern American society?
• How is racism being highlighted by the media?
• What is the history of ice sculpting? Explain with reference to popular ice sculptures.
• Discuss the symbolism in Da Vinci’s paintings.
• Discuss the origin of Salsa and other types of dances.
• What is the significance of the ancient stone drawings?
• How do different movements impact the culture and art of that era?
• Significance of Hitler’s artwork.
• William Blake’s contribution to literature.
• Depiction of beauty in Shakespeare’s plays.
• Romance and the portrayal of a relationship in the novels of the 19th century.
• Different techniques are used in painting landscapes.

Criminal Justice Research Paper Topics

• Should the government allow any relaxation in Capital punishment?
• Why should the minimum legal drinking age be kept at eighteen years?
• Does drug legalization contribute to the increased crime rate?
• Should the constitutional amendment regarding gun control be amended again?
• Does police brutality contribute to the onset of hate crimes?
• Should abortion be counted as a crime? Defend your answer with solid arguments and proof.
• What are the main reasons behind human trafficking? How can it be controlled?
• How does child abuse lead to the making of criminals?
• What role do sociology and psychology play in criminal justice?
• How can social institutions contribute towards minimizing the crime rate?
• Causes and effects of mercy killing.
• Significance of death penalties.
• Reasons why bullying should be considered a crime.
• Should minors be treated as adult criminals for murders?
• Different techniques to interrogate crimes.

Business Research Paper Topics

• How has cyber-security emerged as a new business endeavor?
• Is e-business more profitable than traditional business?
• Do you think small business retailers compromise on business ethics?
• Pros and cons of online retail.
• Role of government organizations in white-collar crimes.
• Should the minimum wage rate be increased?
• What are the main causes behind the rise of entrepreneurial culture?
• Owning a business is the only way to total financial security. Agreed?
• Describe the different types of business models and ways to implement them successfully.
• Propose some profitable small business ideas.
• Should successful businessmen be helping new people in the market?
• The relation of demand in supply in the market.
• How do the political instabilities of the country influence businesses?
• Trending business ideas.
• How do different marketing techniques boost business?

Ethics Research Paper Topics

• Should gun control laws be revised?
• Pros and cons of Euthanasia
• Should recreational marijuana be legalized?
• Animal testing is against animal rights. Discuss.
• Do violent video games promote aggressiveness among children?
• How to minimize bullying in school?
• What are the reasons for a rise in plastic surgery trends in teenagers?
• Ethical implications in case someone sees their friend cheating on the exam.
• What are the consequences of merging religion with politics
• How to minimize ethnic hostility in college and university?
• Ways to minimize gun-related deaths in America.
• Causes and effects of the increase in the divorce rate.
• Significance of affirmative actions in the workplace.
• Should mercy killing be legal?
• Influence of stem cell research on medicine.

Health Research Paper Topics

• What are the health complications caused by abortion?
• Does drug abuse contribute to mental health issues?
• Is there any cure for Alzheimer's disease?
• Is obesity the main reason behind the onset of other chronic illnesses?
• Should teenagers be allowed to buy medication without a prescription?
• Discuss the negative effects of cosmetic surgery.
• What are the health disasters of crash diets?
• Anorexia in College Girls: Reasons and Ways to Minimize It
• Are health supplements necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle?
• What vitamins are necessary for a healthy lifestyle and living?
• Causes and effects of obesity.
• How to treat PTSD?
• Similarities and differences between a panic attack and an anxiety attack.
• Natural way to treat bipolar disorder.
• How can sleep disorders lead to other mental problems?

Government Policy Research Paper Topics

• Should the government reform the policy regarding Juvenile Punishment?
• How is US airport security contributing to counterterrorism measures?
• Should the United States of America reform its Immigration policies?
• Is legalizing recreational marijuana providing any benefit to government organizations?
• Can prison reforms contribute to the low crime rate in the United States of America?
• What factors play a role in forming government policies?
• What are some of the new developments in the government policies of the US?
• What are the policy reforms that took place in Obama’s presidential era?
• What are the pros and cons of Obama’s Healthcare Act?
• How is Donald Trump working on the healthcare of the US?
• Barack Obama’s domestic policy.
• Effectiveness of country’s protection against terrorism policies.
• Comparison of Patriot Act One and Two.
• How do the needs of individuals contradict the needs of the state?
• The illegal immigration policy of the United States.

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Environment Research Paper Topics

• How is human activity contributing to acid rain?
• Is deforestation contributing to global warming?
• Can hybrid vehicles ensure the control of pollution in the atmosphere?
• How can global warming be controlled?
• What are the main sources of marine pollution?
• How is the Greenhouse effect contributing to global warming?
• Discuss the role of Fauna and Flora in impacting the rainfall.
• Global warming is the key reason behind the increased rate of water disasters. Discuss.
• How to recycle waste to minimize global warming?
• Using degradable plastic helps minimize the hazards of plastic. Agreed?
• Climate change and global warming policy.
• Impact of oil spills on the environment.
• Causes and effects of water pollution.
• Effects of deforestation on climate.
• Significance of wildlife protection.

US History Research Paper Topics

• What was the cause of the great depression?
• American colonial era.
• Importance of Voting Act Rights for the blacks.
• Discuss the cause of the Civil war.
• Martin Luther King.
• Women’s suffrage movement.
• What are the main eras in US history?
• Discuss the effects of motivational speeches in influencing the US masses.
• Discuss Abraham Lincoln as a US President and the reasons behind his assassination.
• Describe the Battle of Chancellorsville and its impact.
• A critical analysis of “I Have a Dream” by Martin Luther King Jr.
• Cold War and its effects on the United States.
• US journalism during the Vietnam War.
• The American history of relationship with North Korea.
• The history of terrorist attacks in the United States.

Sociological Research Paper Topics

• How does divorce affect children?
• Interracial marriage.
• Gender inequality in a professional environment.
• Cause and effect of bullying.
• Does social media make individuals feel alone?
• Discuss the pros and cons of the nuclear family system.
• Are women molested more than men? Argue with solid facts.
• What effects do homosexuals have on modern society?
• What is feminism, and how is it affecting the modern family and society?
• What are the reasons behind the rising rate of divorce?
• Driverless cars and the evolution of transportation.
• The significance and impact of the women’s rights movement.
• Significance of religion in society.
• Traditional music Vs. modern music.
• Life in rural Vs. Urban areas.

Get more  sociology research topics  and choose the one that you find interesting.

Sports Research Paper Topics

Selecting topics on sports can help you explore different aspects of sports and provide an interesting read. Here are some topics that you can consider for your paper…

• Importance of physical exercise in school.
• Mind Vs. Body. What is more important for sports?
• Is cheerleading a sport?
• Should trans women play against men or women?
• Do sports influence an individual’s emotional well-being?
• Football vs. hockey, which sport do you prefer and why?
• What are the reasons behind the steroid culture in professional wrestlers?
• Should athletes consume steroids and other medicine to improve their performance?
• How do sports help us in sharpening our minds and doing better in our studies?
• Sports should be essential for every student. Discuss the reasons.
• The use of animals in sports.
• Doping in sports.
• Team sports and its effects on society.
• Cricket Vs. Hockey.
• Extreme sports of the world.

English Linguistics Research Paper Topics

Here is a list of some interesting research paper topics for English literature and linguistics students… 

• Discuss the theme of narcissism in the character of Dorian Gray.
• Discuss the elements of the literature in different eras.
• Discuss the theme of Carpe Diem in different poems.
• Describe why the poets and writers use similes and symbols in their works.
• Evaluate symbolism in two novels or plays.
• Compare Shakespeare and Marlowe as contemporaries.
• How has Kafka hinted at his strained relationship with his father in his works?
• It is said that literature is the true mirror of any era. How true is it?
• How does literature teach and inform about the different aspects of society?
• Discuss Milton and Blake as mystics.
• The usage of literary devices in famous pieces of literature.
• The depiction of beauty standards in the artwork of the 18th century.
• The portrayal of women in the literature of the 20th century.
• Romance in Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet.
• Literature during the first World War Vs. the second.

Education Research Paper Topics

• Homeschooling is better than traditional schooling. Discuss.
• Physical education must be made mandatory in schools.
• Setting up a virtual education system will help increase the literacy rate.
• College dropouts are more likely to end up nowhere. Justify the claim.
• Education opportunities for girls are less than those for boys. Discuss the claim.
• Education among girls should be promoted.
• Government should give free education up to the university level. Discuss.
• How can we revolutionize education?
• What is the role of AI in developing the educational sector?
• Education should be made paperless. Discuss its pros and cons.
• How has Covid-19 influenced education?
• Education system of the underdeveloped countries.
• How to eradicate poverty through education?
• Right to education.
• Women's right to education in third world countries.

Don’t stop reading, explore some more topics….

World History Research Paper Topics

• State and discuss the reasons behind the Rwandan genocide.
• Discuss Cleopatra as the most influential Egyptian queen.
• Discuss the rise and fall of Hitler.
• Who was Nero? What caused his downfall and demise?
• What was the significance of Arenas in the Roman Empire?
• Discuss Holocaust as one of the greatest tragedies in history.
• What is the role of women in the Industrial Revolution?
• How did Pompeii destroy? Discuss the causes of the destruction.
• What are the Stonehenges?
• Discuss some of the prehistoric fossils.
• The history of using nuclear weapons.
• Origin and formation of the world bank.
• The Cold War and its effects on the world.
• War on Terror and its effects on the world.
• How did the 9/11 incident change the politics of the world?

Social Media Research Paper Topics

Social Media is a trending topic for writing a great paper. It can help you  assess the impact that social media has on society and how its usage influences people’s lives. Here are some great topics to consider for your research paper:

• Is blogging becoming a legit profession?
• Does social media affect our relationships?
• Has social media brought people closer or distanced and disrupted them and their relationships?
• Should everyone in the world have the same access to social media?
• Should social media sites be banned in schools?
• How does social media impact our daily life?
• Is social media an end-to-end solution for small businesses?
• How do companies use different social platforms to find and hire talent?
• Social media is a necessity of life. How true is this statement?
• Social media is the new future of technology. Discuss.
• Is social media the source of spreading fake news?
• The use of social media for promoting businesses.
• How can social media accounts help judge people more accurately?
• How has social media affected the physical connections between people?
• The portrayal of minorities on different media platforms.

Computer Science Research Paper Topics

• Robotics and artificial intelligence
• The importance of open source software
• Robotic manipulation modeling
• Biomedical informatics and computational biology
• Artificial intelligence in computer vision
• What is the future of quantum computing?
• The role of antivirus/firewall solutions
• What are the major emerging technologies in computer science?
• Knowledge Processing
• Network anomaly detection in Cloud and IoT.
• Discuss how convex optimization is used in signal processing
• The internet of things and its impact on human life
• Do digital tools make us more or less productive at work?
• Natural language processing real-life applications
• Environments and programming languages

Zoology Research Paper Topics

• Man-eating animals
• Biodiversity of estuarine and fluvial fish
• Understanding animal behavior among predators.
• Dopamine modulation of honey bees
• An Asian elephant imitates human speech
• Human impact on red panda populations
• How do vaccines strengthen the immune response?
• Dogs, their talents and abilities
• Cooperative behavior in ant colonies
• Why do sharks get a bad reputation?
• The social movement of animal rights
• Animal habitats conservation
• Ethical treatment of animals
• Characteristics of Florida alligators
• What makes Shark attacks?

These are some interesting research paper topics in zoology, now let’s move to the next section that highlight more vast ideas.

Psychology Research Paper Topics

• How does child abuse impact the adulthood of an individual?
• Should Depression be treated as a mental health issue?
• Are Dreams related to reality?
• What is the condition that gives rise to Learning disabilities?
• Does Schizophrenia give rise to other mental health issues?
• Child abuse can give rise to various psychological problems.
• Psychological problems are directly related to the environment. Discuss.
• Psychopaths are the products of society's injustice.
• Psychological Problems and Superstition: Why do people still believe in it?
• Childhood counseling is the best way to ward off any mental illnesses.
• Freud’s contribution to the field of psychology.
• Chaucer’s insight into human behavior.
• Gender psychology.
• Traditional Vs. Modern conceptions of mental illness.
• How do self-image and culture relate to each other?

Here are some additional  psychology research topics  for your paper if you want more ideas.

Good Research Paper Topics

Below are some interesting yet impactful research paper topic ideas that make your topic selection process easy.

Argumentative Research Paper Topics

• Should handguns be banned?
• Should parents monitor their child’s social media?
• Should prisoners have the right to vote?
• Has social media decreased our creativity?
• Money can’t buy happiness. True or false?
• 90% of the reasons behind divorce are from women. Discuss.
• Women and men are not given equal rights.
• Humans can live without food. Explain the breatharian trend.
• Consuming meat is a selfish act. Do you agree?
• A vegan diet is more healthy than a meat-based diet. How far is the statement true?
• Analysis of the most controversial ad campaigns.
• Is homosexuality a choice?
• Creationism Vs. Evolution
• Should children be spanked by their parents?
• Pros of animal testing.

Persuasive Research Paper Topics

• Hunting should be tagged as immoral and should be banned.
• Animals should not be used in checking beauty and medical products.
• What is microchipping? Are microchipping pets an ethical and legal act?
• Euthanizing Pet Dogs: Pet dogs should be sent to sleep if they develop any biting tendencies. Discuss.
• Moving from the countryside to the city is essential for -personal growth and development. Discuss.
• Dogs are better pets than cats. Is it true?
• Habits are inbuilt and cannot be learned over time. Agreed?
• AI is essential for a better educational system. Discuss.
• Newspapers are more propaganda now, Agreed?
• Women should be allowed to work from home after having a baby. Discuss.
• Privatization of social security.
• Human torture in the name of interrogation should be banned.
• Euthanasia should be outlawed.
• Affirmative action is essential to ensure gender and racial equality
• The minimum labor wage should be increased.

Best Research paper Topics

• Difference between a man’s and a woman’s heart?
• Do some religions oppress women?
• Ozone Layer in coming years.
• Future Of endangered species in America.
• Can we deal with plastic pollution wisely?
• Social media is essential in our daily lives. Discuss the pros and cons.
• Cow's milk is healthier than packaged milk. How true is this statement?
• Strict mothers have well-mannered kids.
• Body Sprays are hazardous to the environment.
• Kids should be allowed to play in the mud. Prove your point.
• Significance of recycling.
• Importance of career counseling of the students.
• Effectiveness of color therapy.
• Different cultures of the world.
• Significance of following the writing conventions.

Interesting Research Paper Topics

• Is our future in the hands of AI?
• Will Self Determination Theory ever be implied on robots?
• Is the Socratic method helpful for people with cognitive disabilities?
• When is the nearest supernova expected?
• Can the world come together to fight racism?
• Discuss the trend of surrogate mothers and the pros and cons of having them
• Homosexual couples should not be allowed to adopt children. Agreed?
• What are the key reasons behind people not wanting to get married now?
• Kids should be left untamed and given a chance to discover their own ways.
• Minimalist living is a leap towards a more satisfied and clutter-free life.
• Treating mental illnesses through emotional support of animals.
• Why is platypus a unique mammal?
• History and origination of hip hop.
• The routine of a Buddhist monk.
• Reasons for the domestication of cats and dogs.

Controversial Research Paper Topics

• Surrogate mothers and societal worldview
• Is obesity the new norm?
• Animal rights
• Children should not be allowed to use mobile phones.
• Is the death penalty efficient?
• Are Montessori schools a threat to public education?
• Is water fluoridation necessary?
• A life without store-bought toys: the benefits.
• What are the benefits and hazards of medical marijuana?
• Equality is part of lawmaking, but does it work in practice?
• The distorted body image on social media.
• Homeschooling
• Native American sovereignty issues.
• The perks of fee-for-service medicine.
• Aging is actually super cool.

Tips for Choosing a Good Research Paper Topic

The following tips will help you find a good research topic for your next paper assignment.

Explore Your Interest

Students have the freedom to choose the topics of their interest. So, the foremost step is to narrow down the field you are interested in. There are several research topics in subjects like:

• Government policy
• Culture and arts
• Criminology
• Psychology, etc.

Choose the one that interests you and is relevant to your field of study.

Once you have chosen the research question, find the perfect topic for your paper. For a start, shortlist some topics related to famous subjects and works.

For example, you can write about Harry Potter, for the subject of literature studies. And explore how the series added value to literary studies.

Most of the time, the instructors demand that the students pick the topic according to their subject. If such guidelines are shared, the business students should not choose history topics.

Moreover, before submitting research paper, it is necessary to check that it adheres to provided guidelines. 

If you are still unsure about your interest, you can select some good research paper topics from the above mentioned ideas.

Here is also a helpful video for you on how to select your research paper topic;

The above-presented topics are great if you are in writer’s block. If you are doubtful about your ability to craft a research paper, get help from the expert essay writers of  5StarEssays.com .

Our team of experienced writers can help you with any “ write me an essay ” request.

We are here 24/7 to talk to you and help you with your papers. Simply ask our writing service to ‘ write my essay ’ and get all your academic assignments written in no time.

You can also use our AI powered paper writer for assistance in writing parts fo your research paper or getting accurate citations. 

Education, Research

Nathan completed his Ph.D. in journalism and has been writing articles for well-respected publications for many years now. His work is carefully researched and insightful, showing a true passion for the written word. Nathan's clients appreciate his expertise, deep understanding of the process, and ability to communicate difficult concepts clearly.

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Ever struggled to find the perfect topic for your research paper ? We get it – it can be a bit overwhelming. 

Picking something interesting and valuable for your academic journey isn't always easy. But don't worry, we're here to help!

Here, we have listed more than 300 research paper ideas for a variety of subjects.

These topics can help you get creative and find the inspiration you need. 

So read on! 

• 1. What are Good Topics for a Research Paper? 
• 2. Research Paper Topics for Your Academic Level
• 3. Research Paper Topics for Science & Technology
• 4. Research Paper Topics For Social Sciences
• 5. Research Paper Topics for Humanities
• 6. Research Paper Topics on Economics
• 7. Research Paper Topics Related to Marketing
• 8. Best Research Paper Topics 2023
• 9. How to Choose a Good Research Paper Topic?

What are Good Topics for a Research Paper? 

An interesting research topic is the one that has the following characteristics:

• Specific and Clear . The topic should cover a specific aspect or question within a broader subject area. A focused topic allows for in-depth exploration.
• Original and Unique - Great research topics are original. They explore a unique angle or perspective on a subject.
• Significant - Good topics have academic or real-world significance. They contribute to existing knowledge or address a problem with practical implications.
• Relevant - Topics that are timely and related to the current issues and debates in your field of study are better for research.

Research Paper Topics for Your Academic Level

All students get research writing assignments, whether they are in high school, college, or higher. Here are some engaging ideas suitable for different academic levels.

High School Research Essay Topics

• Examine the impact of social media on teenagers' well-being.
• Assess the effects of climate change and its consequences.
• Analyze the dynamics of cyberbullying and online safety.
• Explore the influence of music on adolescents.
• Investigate the importance of financial literacy education.
• Assess gender inequality in high school sports programs.
• Examine the impact of technology on the education system.
• Analyze youth voting trends and political engagement.
• Investigate the role of video games in cognitive development.
• Assess teenage substance abuse and prevention programs.

College Research Paper Topics 

• IELTS vs. TOEFL - Discuss the similarities and differences.
• College admission policies and criteria in the United States.
• How to plan to pay college tuition?
• Elaborate on ACT vs. SAT.
• Benefits of Distance Learning.
• Impacts of China's one-child policy.
• Do college students learn better in same-sex classrooms?
• Effect of the No Child Left Behind Act.
• Analyze the history of the relationship between the United States and North Korea.
• Should people be able to donate organs in exchange for money?

Graduate Research Paper Topics

• The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Business Operations and Strategy
• Environmental Sustainability in Supply Chain Management: Strategies for Global Corporations
• The Ethical Implications of Gene Editing Technologies: CRISPR-Cas9 and Beyond
• Financial Derivatives and Risk Management: Advanced Strategies for Portfolio Optimization
• The Role of Big Data Analytics in Healthcare: Improving Patient Care and Outcomes
• Cybersecurity Threats and Mitigation in Critical Infrastructure: A Comprehensive Analysis
• The Intersection of International Trade and Intellectual Property Rights: Trade Agreements and Dispute Resolution
• Exploring the Impacts of Climate Change on Urban Planning and Infrastructure
• Educational Leadership and School Reform in the 21st Century: Innovative Approaches and Challenges
• Theoretical Advances in Quantum Computing: Applications, Limitations, and Future Prospects

Research Paper Topics for Science & Technology

Looking for research paper ideas in your discipline? The list of topics below covers a variety of subjects and disciplines to help you out.

Research Paper Topics for Computer Science 

• Quantum Computing: Current State and Future Prospects
• Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare: Diagnosis and Treatment
• Blockchain Technology and Its Applications Beyond Cryptocurrency
• Cybersecurity in the Age of IoT: Challenges and Solutions
• The Ethical Implications of Machine Learning Algorithms
• Natural Language Processing for Sentiment Analysis in Social Media
• The Role of Computer Vision in Autonomous Vehicles
• Big Data Analytics for Business Intelligence and Decision-Making
• Human-Computer Interaction: Enhancing User Experience
• The Evolution of Cloud Computing: Trends and Innovations

Research Paper Topics in Machine Learning

• Explainable AI (XAI): Techniques and Challenges in Interpretable Machine Learning Models
• Federated Learning: Privacy-Preserving Machine Learning Across Decentralized Data Sources
• Transfer Learning in Deep Neural Networks: Methods, Applications, and Limitations
• Reinforcement Learning: Recent Advances and Real-World Applications
• Bias and Fairness in Machine Learning: Detection, Mitigation, and Ethical Considerations
• Multi-Modal Learning: Integrating Data from Multiple Sources for Improved Performance
• Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs): Innovations in Image Generation and Beyond
• Natural Language Processing (NLP) for Healthcare: Applications in Clinical Data Analysis and Diagnosis
• AutoML (Automated Machine Learning): Tools, Challenges, and Implications for Non-Experts
• Quantum Machine Learning: Harnessing Quantum Computing for Advanced Data Analysis

Research Paper Topics in Chemistry

• Green Chemistry: Sustainable Approaches to Chemical Synthesis
• Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery: Innovations and Challenges
• Chemical Analysis of Environmental Pollutants and Their Remediation
• Advancements in Organic Synthesis: New Methods and Strategies
• The Role of Catalysis in Industrial Chemical Processes
• Chemical Kinetics: Studying Reaction Rates and Mechanisms
• Analytical Chemistry Techniques for Food Safety and Quality Control
• Supramolecular Chemistry: Self-assembly and Molecular Recognition
• The Chemistry of Renewable Energy Sources
• Chemical Bonding in Complex Molecules: Insights from Quantum Chemistry

Information Technology Research Paper Topics

• The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Information Technology
• Blockchain Technology: Security and Privacy Implications
• Data Governance and Compliance in the Digital Age
• Cloud Computing Adoption Strategies for Small and Medium Enterprises
• Internet of Things (IoT) Security Challenges and Solutions
• E-Government: Advancements and Challenges in Digital Transformation
• The Role of Machine Learning in Healthcare Data Management
• Cybersecurity Threat Intelligence: Trends and Best Practices
• Digital Twins and their Applications in Industry 4.0
• Human-Centric IT: Designing Systems with User Well-being in Mind

Research Paper Topics Environmental Science

• Climate Change and Its Impact on Global Ecosystems
• Biodiversity Conservation and Habitat Restoration
• Sustainable Agriculture Practices for Food Security
• Air Pollution Control Strategies in Urban Environments
• The Effects of Deforestation on Watersheds and Biodiversity
• Waste Management and Recycling: Towards a Circular Economy
• Ocean Acidification and Coral Reef Conservation
• Environmental Impacts of Renewable Energy Technologies
• Eco-friendly Transportation Solutions: Promoting Sustainable Mobility
• Human Health and Environmental Pollution: Assessing Risks and Mitigation

Research Paper Topics for Medical Students

• The Role of Telemedicine in Improving Healthcare Access and Delivery
• Epidemiology and Management of Infectious Diseases: A Focus on Emerging Pathogens
• Precision Medicine and Personalized Healthcare: Advancements and Challenges
• Ethical Considerations in Medical Research: Informed Consent and Human Rights
• Mental Health in Medical Education: Strategies for Reducing Burnout and Promoting Well-being
• Global Health Disparities: Analyzing Causes and Strategies for Health Equity
• Advancements in Surgical Techniques and Robotics in Medicine
• The Opioid Epidemic: Causes, Consequences, and Solutions
• Healthcare for Underserved Populations: Access, Barriers, and Innovations
• Medical Innovations in Diagnostic Imaging: Impact on Patient Care and Diagnosis

Research Paper Topics in Zoology

• The Impact of Climate Change on Wildlife Migration Patterns and Habitats
• Behavioral Ecology of Apex Predators: From Wolves to Tigers
• Zoonotic Diseases: Investigating the Transmission of Diseases Between Animals and Humans
• Marine Biology and Conservation: Coral Reefs, Ocean Acidification, and Marine Biodiversity
• The Role of Zoos in Conservation and Species Preservation
• Invasive Species: Ecological Impacts and Management Strategies
• Bird Migration and Navigation: Mechanisms and Conservation Implications
• Animal Communication and Language: Insights from Studies on Dolphins and Primates
• Endangered Species Recovery Programs: Successes, Failures, and Lessons Learned
• Evolutionary Biology: The Coevolution of Predators and Prey

Research Paper Topics For Social Sciences

Are you a student of social sciences? The list of research paper topics below is for you!

History Research Paper Topics

• The Causes and Consequences of the American Civil War
• The Impact of the Industrial Revolution on Society and Labor
• The Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire: Lessons from History
• Women's Suffrage Movements Around the World
• The Cold War: Origins, Conflicts, and Effects on Global Politics
• The Role of Religion in Ancient Civilizations: Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Greece
• The Renaissance Era: Art, Science, and Cultural Transformation
• The Development of Culture in Mughal India
• The Decolonization of Africa and Asia: Struggles for Independence
• The Civil Rights Movement in the United States: Progress and Challenges

Research Paper Topics for Education

• The Impact of Technology in the Classroom: Enhancing Learning or Distracting Students?
• Inclusive Education: Strategies for Supporting Students with Disabilities
• The Role of Parental Involvement in Student Academic Achievement
• Education and Socioeconomic Inequality: Bridging the Gap
• The Effectiveness of Online Learning: Pros and Cons
• Early Childhood Education: The Importance of Preschool Programs
• Teacher Burnout and Strategies for Teacher Well-being
• The Influence of Standardized Testing on Curriculum and Instruction
• Culturally Responsive Teaching: Promoting Diversity and Inclusion
• Education Policy Reform: Challenges and Impacts on Student Success

Sociology Research Paper Topics 

• The Impact of Social Media on Social Interaction and Relationships
• Gender Inequality in the Workplace: Causes, Consequences, and Solutions
• Racial Profiling and Policing: Examining Bias and Discrimination
• The Sociology of Deviance: Understanding Criminal Behavior
• Income Inequality and Its Effects on Society
• The Influence of Family Structure on Child Development
• Migration and the Social Integration of Immigrants
• Environmental Sociology: Exploring the Relationship Between Society and the Environment
• The Role of Religion in Shaping Societal Norms and Values
• Health Disparities in Marginalized Communities: A Sociological Perspective

Psychology Research Paper Topics

• The Impact of Childhood Trauma on Adult Mental Health
• Psychological Effects of Social Media Use on Adolescents
• Stress and Coping Mechanisms: Strategies for Resilience
• The Psychology of Decision-Making: Biases and Heuristics
• The Role of Attachment Theory in Parent-Child Relationships
• Mental Health Stigma: Barriers to Seeking and Receiving Treatment
• The Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Cognitive Functioning
• Psychological Factors in Addiction and Recovery
• Cognitive Development in Infants: Theories and Milestones
• The Psychology of Happiness and Well-being: Factors and Interventions

Research Paper Topics On Media And Communication

• The Influence of Social Media on Political Discourse and Public Opinion
• Media Bias: Examining News Coverage and Its Impact on Perception
• The Evolution of Journalism in the Digital Age: Challenges and Opportunities
• The Effects of Advertising on Consumer Behavior and Purchasing Decisions
• Media Literacy Education: Preparing Citizens for a Digital World
• The Role of Media in Shaping Gender Stereotypes and Representation
• Fake News and Misinformation: Causes, Consequences, and Solutions
• Cultural Appropriation in Media: Analyzing Its Implications
• Media and Crisis Communication: Case Studies and Best Practices
• Media Effects on Body Image and Self-esteem: Exploring the Impact of Beauty Standards

Political Science Research Paper Topics

• The Role of Political Parties in Shaping Government Policies
• Electoral Systems and Their Impact on Representation and Governance
• The Rise of Populism: Causes and Consequences
• The Influence of Lobbying and Interest Groups on Policy-Making
• Comparative Analysis of Political Systems: Democracies vs. Authoritarian Regimes
• Foreign Policy Decision-Making: Case Studies and Models
• Political Polarization: Understanding the Divisions in Contemporary Politics
• Human Rights and International Relations: Challenges and Solutions
• Environmental Politics and Climate Change Agreements
• The Role of Social Media in Shaping Political Discourse and Activism

Research Paper Topics for International Relations

• The Impact of Globalization on International Security
• International Human Rights Law: Challenges and Progress
• Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution: Case Studies in Successful Negotiations
• The Role of International Organizations in Promoting Peace and Cooperation
• Nuclear Proliferation: Examining the Threats and Non-Proliferation Efforts
• Cybersecurity in International Relations: Challenges and Strategies
• Global Economic Governance: The Role of International Financial Institutions
• The Refugee Crisis: International Responses and the Humanitarian Challenge
• Climate Change Diplomacy: Agreements, Obstacles, and Climate Justice
• The Geopolitics of Energy: Resource Competition and Security Issues

Research Paper Topics On Culture

• Cultural Appropriation: Understanding the Controversy and Implications
• Cultural Relativism vs. Universalism: Debates in Anthropology and Ethics
• Cultural Expressions in Art: Analyzing Cultural Identity Through Creative Works
• Globalization and Its Impact on Cultural Homogenization vs. Cultural Diversity
• Cultural Influences on Gender Roles and Identity
• The Role of Culture in Shaping Dietary Habits and Food Traditions
• Cultural Heritage Preservation: Challenges and Strategies
• Language and Culture: The Relationship Between Linguistic Diversity and Cultural Identity
• Cultural Rituals and Their Significance in Different Societies
• Intercultural Communication: Navigating Cultural Differences in a Globalized World

Research Paper Topics for Humanities

Here are some engaging ideas for research paper topics in humanities disciplines.

Research Paper Topics for English Literature

• Exploring the Themes of Love and Desire in Shakespeare's Sonnets
• Postcolonial Literature: Analyzing the Works of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
• The Role of Symbolism in F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby"
• Feminist Critique of Classic Literature: Reevaluating Jane Austen's Heroines
• The Gothic Tradition in Literature: A Comparative Study of Edgar Allan Poe and Mary Shelley
• Dystopian Literature: Examining Social Commentary in George Orwell's "1984"
• The Evolution of Science Fiction: From H.G. Wells to Contemporary Authors
• The Modernist Movement in Poetry: T.S. Eliot and "The Waste Land"
• Literary Representations of War: Analysis of Ernest Hemingway's Works
• The Influence of Mythology in Literature: A Study of Greek and Roman Epics

Research Paper Topics for English Linguistics 

• The Evolution of English Language: A Historical Analysis
• Exploring Dialectical Variations: A Study of Regional English Accents
• Syntax in Shakespearean English: Unraveling Linguistic Patterns
• Code-Switching in Bilingual Literature: Impacts on Linguistic Identity
• The Influence of Technology on Modern English: A Linguistic Perspective
• Gendered Language in Literature: Analyzing Linguistic Representations
• Sociolinguistic Aspects of English in Global Communication
• Cognitive Linguistics: Understanding Language Processing and Comprehension
• The Role of Phonetics in English Language Teaching: Strategies and Challenges
• Linguistic Analysis of Online Discourse: Trends in Digital Communication

Research Paper Topics on Arts

• The Influence of Renaissance Art on Modern Visual Culture
• The Evolution of Street Art: From Vandalism to Urban Beautification
• Gender and Identity in Contemporary Performance Art
• The Role of Public Art in Shaping Urban Spaces and Communities
• Censorship in the Arts: Balancing Expression and Sensitivity
• The Intersection of Technology and Art: Digital Media and New Frontiers
• Art as a Form of Political Protest: Examining Contemporary Activist Art
• The Psychology of Art Appreciation: Understanding Aesthetic Experiences
• Art Conservation and Preservation: Challenges and Ethical Considerations
• Art Therapy: Exploring the Healing Power of Creativity

Research Paper Topics on Religion

• Religious Pluralism and Interfaith Dialogue: Promoting Understanding and Tolerance
• The Role of Religion in Shaping Moral Values and Ethics
• Religion and Politics: Examining the Influence of Faith on Governance
• Religious Rituals and Their Significance in Different Cultures
• Secularism and Its Impact on Religious Practice and Belief
• Religion and Science: Exploring the Compatibility and Conflict
• The Influence of Religion on Gender Roles and Equality
• Religious Fundamentalism and Its Implications for Society
• Religion and Environmental Ethics: Perspectives on Stewardship
• Religious Conversion and the Psychology Behind Faith Changes

Philosophy Research Paper Topics

• The Philosophy of Ethics: Exploring Different Ethical Theories
• The Problem of Free Will and Determinism: Philosophical Perspectives
• Existentialism in Literature: A Philosophical Analysis
• The Philosophy of Mind: Dualism vs. Materialism
• The Nature of Reality: Metaphysical Approaches and Debates
• Moral Dilemmas and Ethical Decision-Making: A Philosophical Examination
• Philosophy of Technology: Ethical Implications of Advancements
• Political Philosophy: Theories of Justice and Social Contracts
• Philosophy of Religion: The Existence of God and Theodicy
• Environmental Ethics: Philosophical Perspectives on Nature and Sustainability

Research Paper Topics for Ethics

• Ethical Dilemmas in Medical Decision-Making: Balancing Autonomy and Beneficence
• The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence: Accountability and Bias in AI Systems
• Corporate Ethics: Ethical Responsibility of Multinational Corporations
• Ethical Considerations in Environmental Conservation: Sustainability and Future Generations
• The Ethics of Genetic Engineering and Designer Babies
• The Intersection of Ethics and Technology: Privacy, Surveillance, and Data Ethics
• Ethical Implications of End-of-Life Care and Euthanasia
• Animal Rights and Ethical Treatment of Animals in Research
• The Role of Ethics in Criminal Justice: Police Conduct and Criminal Punishment
• The Ethics of Whistleblowing: Balancing Loyalty and Accountability

Law Research Paper Topics

• The Evolution of Privacy Rights in the Digital Age: Legal and Ethical Considerations
• Criminal Justice Reform: Assessing the Impact of Changes in Sentencing and Policing
• Intellectual Property Rights in the Digital Era: Copyright, Trademarks, and Patents
• The Role of International Law in Addressing Global Human Rights Violations
• Environmental Law and Sustainable Development: Balancing Conservation and Economic Interests
• Legal Aspects of Cybersecurity: Privacy, Data Protection, and Cybercrime
• The Legalization of Marijuana: Implications for Criminal Justice and Public Health
• Corporate Governance and Ethics: Analyzing Legal Frameworks for Accountability
• Family Law and Child Custody Disputes: Examining Best Interests and Parental Rights
• The Intersection of Law and Bioethics: Ethical Dilemmas in Medical and Scientific Research

Research Paper Topics on Criminal Justice 

• Racial Disparities in the Criminal Justice System: Causes and Consequences
• Police Use of Force: Policies, Accountability, and Community Relations
• Criminal Profiling and Its Effectiveness in Solving Crimes
• Mental Illness in the Criminal Justice System: Diversion Programs and Treatment
• The Impact of Mass Incarceration on Communities and Rehabilitation Efforts
• Forensic Science and Criminal Investigations: Advances, Challenges, and Ethics
• Cybercrime and Digital Forensics: Investigative Techniques and Legal Implications
• Juvenile Justice: Rehabilitation vs. Punishment and the Recidivism Rate
• The Death Penalty: Ethical, Legal, and Policy Considerations
• Victim Rights and Restorative Justice Programs: Balancing the Scales of Justice

Research Paper Topics on Economics

• Income Inequality: Causes, Consequences, and Policy Solutions
• The Impact of Economic Globalization on Developing Countries
• Behavioral Economics: Exploring Psychological Factors in Decision-Making
• The Economics of Climate Change: Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies
• Monetary Policy and Its Effects on Economic Stability
• Trade Wars and Tariffs: Economic Effects and Global Trade Relations
• Healthcare Economics: Examining Healthcare Costs, Access, and Reform
• The Economics of Education: Investment in Human Capital and Economic Growth
• Urban Economics: Challenges and Solutions in Sustainable City Development
• Labor Market Trends: Gig Economy, Automation, and Future of Work

Research Paper Topics Related to Marketing

• Influencer Marketing: Effectiveness, Ethics, and the Role of Social Media
• Consumer Behavior in the Digital Age: Online Shopping Trends and Decision-Making
• Brand Loyalty and Customer Retention Strategies in Competitive Markets
• Neuromarketing: Understanding the Psychology of Consumer Choices
• The Impact of Social Media Marketing on Brand Image and Customer Engagement
• E-commerce and Marketplaces: Strategies for Success in Online Retail
• Content Marketing: Creating and Measuring the Value of Branded Content
• Marketing to Generation Z: Preferences, Values, and Communication Channels
• The Role of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Marketing
• Crisis Marketing and Reputation Management: Strategies for Navigating Challenges

Best Research Paper Topics 2023

Here are some impressive and easy research paper topics to write an extraordinary paper.

Argumentative Research Paper Topics 

• Should the Minimum Wage be Raised?
• The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health: Harmful or Beneficial?
• Is Genetic Engineering Ethical? Examining the Pros and Cons of Genetic Modification
• The Death Penalty: Should it be Abolished or Retained?
• Gun Control: Balancing Second Amendment Rights and Public Safety
• Universal Healthcare: Is it a Right or a Privilege?
• The Role of Government in Regulating Big Tech Companies
• Climate Change: Is Human Activity the Primary Cause?
• Online Privacy: Balancing Security and Civil Liberties
• The Legalization of Recreational Marijuana: Weighing the Social and Economic Impacts

US History Research Paper Topics

• The American Revolution: Causes, Key Figures, and Impact on the Nation
• The Abolitionist Movement: Strategies, Leaders, and the Fight Against Slavery
• The Reconstruction Era: Challenges, Achievements, and Failures
• The Women's Suffrage Movement: Struggles and Triumphs in the Fight for Voting Rights
• The Civil Rights Movement: Leaders, Events, and the Struggle for Equality
• The Great Depression: Causes, Effects, and Government Responses
• The Vietnam War: Origins, Controversies, and Legacy
• The Space Race: The Cold War Competition for Supremacy Beyond Earth
• The Civil War: Battlefronts, Political Divisions, and the Emancipation Proclamation
• The American Westward Expansion: Manifest Destiny, Conflicts, and Impacts on Native Americans

Persuasive Research Paper Topics 

• The Importance of Comprehensive Sex Education in Schools
• Banning Single-Use Plastics: Protecting the Environment and Marine Life
• Promoting Renewable Energy: Transitioning to a Sustainable Future
• Mandatory Vaccination: Protecting Public Health and Herd Immunity
• The Benefits of Telecommuting: A Win-Win for Employers and Employees
• Promoting Healthy Eating Habits: The Case for Implementing Sugar Taxes
• The Need for Stricter Animal Welfare Laws: Preventing Animal Cruelty
• Accessible Education for All: The Case for Affordable College Tuition
• Promoting Voting Rights: Ensuring a Fair and Inclusive Democracy
• The Importance of Mental Health Awareness and Support: Breaking the Stigma

Easy Research Paper Topics 

• The Benefits of Regular Exercise for Physical and Mental Health
• The History and Impact of Social Media on Society
• The Basics of Climate Change: Causes, Effects, and Solutions
• The Life and Achievements of a Notable Inventor or Scientist
• The Importance of Recycling and Waste Reduction in Daily Life
• The Impact of Fast Food on Diet and Health
• Effect of Global Warming on The Frequency And Intensity Of Natural Disasters
• Should Marijuana be legalized in US? Costs, Economic And Social Benefits
• How Do Terrorist Attacks Influence Public Opinion And Political Behavior In Democratic Countries
• Crime Rates: Main Factors That Explain The Variation In Crime Rates Across Different Countries And Regions

Research Paper Topics on Current Affairs 

• The Impact of COVID-19 on Global Health Systems and Preparedness
• Climate Change and Extreme Weather Events: Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies
• The Future of Work: Remote Work Trends and Implications
• Economic Recovery Post-Pandemic: Challenges and Opportunities
• Vaccine Hesitancy: Understanding Causes and Addressing Concerns
• Cybersecurity in the Digital Age: Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Defense
• Immigration Policies and Border Security: A Global Perspective
• The Role of Social Media in Political Movements and Disinformation
• Global Supply Chain Disruptions: Causes and Strategies for Resilience
• Racial and Social Justice Movements: Progress and Ongoing Challenges

Controversial Research Paper Topics 

• The Legalization of Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia: Ethical and Legal Considerations
• Gun Control Laws: Balancing Second Amendment Rights and Public Safety
• The Death Penalty: Is it an Effective Deterrent or a Violation of Human Rights?
• Animal Testing: Ethical Issues and Alternatives for Scientific Research
• The Legalization of Recreational Drugs: Assessing Risks and Benefits
• Abortion: Examining the Ethical, Legal, and Medical Aspects
• Freedom of Speech vs. Hate Speech: Protecting Civil Liberties in a Digital Age
• Climate Change Denial: Analyzing the Science and Skepticism
• School Vouchers and School Choice: The Future of Public Education
• Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): Safety, Labeling, and Environmental Concerns

Research Paper Topics on Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

• Historical Roots of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Tracing the Beginnings
• Media Framing of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Impact on Public Perception
• The Role of International Diplomacy in Resolving the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
• Human Rights Violations in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: A Critical Analysis
• Refugees and Displacement: The Ongoing Humanitarian Crisis in the Conflict
• Religious Perspectives in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: A Comparative Study
• Water Scarcity and Resource Management in the Context of the Conflict
• Education and Propaganda: Examining the Impact of Curricula on Perpetuating Conflict Narratives
• The Role of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Peacebuilding Efforts
• Media and Social Media's Influence on Shaping Public Opinion in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Nursing Research Paper Topics 

• The Impact of Nurse-to-Patient Ratios on Patient Outcomes
• Nursing Shortages: Causes, Consequences, and Solutions
• Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing: Implementing Research into Clinical Care
• Nursing Ethics: Ethical Dilemmas and Decision-Making in Patient Care
• Palliative Care and End-of-Life Nursing: Improving Quality of Life for Patients
• Nursing Informatics: Advancements in Healthcare Technology and Data Management
• The Role of Cultural Competence in Nursing: Providing Culturally Sensitive Care
• Nursing Burnout and Staff Well-being: Strategies for Prevention and Support
• The Impact of Nurse Leadership on Patient Safety and Quality of Care
• Pediatric Nursing: Specialized Care for Children and Families

How to Choose a Good Research Paper Topic?

Now that you have a plethora of ideas for your research paper, which one should you choose? Here are some steps you need to follow to choose a good research paper topic: 

• Identify Your Interests: Start by considering your own interests and passions. Research is much more enjoyable when you're exploring a topic you're genuinely curious about. Think about subjects, issues, or questions that intrigue you.
• Brainstorm and Mind Map: Write down potential topics or research questions and create a mind map to visualize how they connect to one another. This can help you see the relationships between different ideas and narrow down your options.
• Do Some Preliminary Research: Conduct initial research to see what resources are available on potential topics. This will help you gauge whether there is enough information and credible sources to support your research.
• Consider Your Audience: Think about who will be reading your research paper. Tailor your topic to your target audience's interests and knowledge level. You should also comply with the instructor's requirements. Make sure your topic gets approved before you begin with the writing process.
• Discuss with Others: Talk to your peers, professors, or mentors about your potential topics. They may offer valuable insights, suggest relevant resources, or help you refine your ideas.

To conclude,

Selecting a good topic is the first and most important step in writing a research paper. Your decision should be guided by your interests, the assignment requirements, and the availability of credible resources. 

With this list of potential research paper topics and tips on how to choose a good topic, you are able to select a topic that is both engaging for you and relevant to your audience.

Remember that staying current and conducting preliminary research will help you make an informed choice. Seek feedback from peers and mentors, and don't shy away from challenging or controversial topics when appropriate. 

Looking for a research paper writing service? Look no further! MyPerfectWords.com can help you out!

At our professional essay writing service , we have subject specialists and research writers with advanced knowledge and expertise. They will help you choose a topic and write an amazing research paper.

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58 Good Research Paper Topics for High School Students

June 27, 2023

We’ve all been there: you’re sitting in English or Social Studies, and suddenly your teacher announces those dreaded words: “I’d like you all to pick a topic for your upcoming research paper.” Your stomach lurches as your mind races to think of good research paper topics. Should you write about octopuses or the New York Yankees? Should you write about the history of Barbie and her uber-pink Dreamhouse , or perhaps the evolution of Taylor Swift ’s music career?

We get it: these are hard choices! That’s why we here at College Transitions have compiled the ultimate list to assist you in selecting an excellent research topic.

But First…the All-Important Question: What Makes a Great Topic?

We’re glad you asked! When selecting a topic for your academic research paper, you want to select a compelling topic that immediately grabs the reader’s attention. Just like when choosing a persuasive speech topic or argumentative essay topic , you want to be sure to select a topic that intrigues you personally. This is pivotal for multiple reasons. If you find your topic intriguing, you’ll likely spend more time delving into the subject and gathering information to strengthen your arguments. Additionally, if a topic sparks your curiosity, odds are that your enthusiasm will pique someone else’s interest, too!

The Key to a Good Research Paper: Research

Regardless of the topic you choose, ensure it’s researchable . This means that the subject has sufficient resources for research. Even the most intriguing topic won’t make for a good paper if there’s not much research material out there. Remember: your typical research paper is longer and more in-depth than a regular academic essay. While this means you have more time to explore the topic at hand, it also means that the research paper will rely on more information and analysis of the existing material out there. Before finalizing your topic, make sure to do a preliminary search to guarantee there’s plenty of information out there to help you construct a comprehensive argument, filled with multiple perspectives and facets.

Following Guidelines

Lastly, and most importantly, follow the guidelines your teacher has laid out. If you focus your paper on pop culture, it certainly won’t meet a historical research paper’s requirement! Before embarking on this thrilling intellectual journey, double-check what type of research paper your teacher wants you to write. To prevent future headaches, clarify any rules or conditions upfront.

Now that we’ve covered these key bullet points of what makes a great research paper topic, let’s delve into some examples of topics:

English Literature Research Topics

1) Discuss the profound cultural impact and enduring relevance of Shakespeare’s plays.

2) What roles does feminism play in canonical literary works such as Pride and Prejudice and Jane Eyre ?

3) Investigate the use of symbolism and its impacts on the narrative and theme in a chosen novel, such as J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye or Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn.

4) Analyze the use of dystopian elements and their social commentary embedded in the works of George Orwell.

Good Research Paper Topics (Continued)

5) Analyze the themes , symbolic representations, and societal critiques of the American Dream as depicted in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby .

6) Provide a comprehensive explication of a renowned Shakespearean sonnet or soliloquy, such as this one from Hamlet .

7) Choose a poem such as Robert Frost’s “ The Road Not Taken ” and critically analyze its layered meanings and imagery, as well as their impact on the reader.

Technology Research Topics 

• For a more comprehensive list of technology-related research topics, we’ve compiled an entire list for you here !

8) Compare and contrast the various techniques of solar geoengineering. How have these practices progressed over time? In what direction might they continue to evolve?

9) Art has become readily producible and consumable in the era of technology and artificial intelligence. How does this surge in accessibility impact the worth of artwork? Additionally, should we value physical artworks more than those made by programs like OpenAI’s DALL-E?

10) Does the advancement of cellular agriculture potentially threaten the ideas of a “ circular bioeconomy ?” Should we strive to pursue a circular bioeconomy?

11) Some people say that video games are detrimental to mental health or encourage violence. Study and present findings on whether specific categories or genres of video games provide more cognitive enhancement than others.

12) Since the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual appointments and doctor’s visits have increased exponentially. Does the surge in screen time that comes with digital therapeutics negatively affect mental health?

13) Consider mob mentality  across social media platforms such as TikTok, Twitter, Reddit, Facebook, and Instagram. In what instances and in what contexts is such mentality most prevalent?

Environmental Research Topics

• For a more comprehensive list of environmental-related research topics, we’ve compiled the 50 best ones here !

14) Undertake a comprehensive study of the impacts of climate change on ocean currents and the changes in migration patterns of marine species.

15) Analyze the benefits and drawbacks of urban greenspaces . Discuss potential implementation strategies to ensure equitable access to these spaces, particularly for socio-economically disadvantaged communities.

16) Look at the ethical implications surrounding human intervention in conservation efforts for endangered species.

17) Analyze the environmental impacts of the hospitality and travel industries in terms of pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

18) How do agricultural land use practices impact biodiversity and the health of ecosystems? Look at the relationship between farming, habitat degradation, and species survival.

19) Conduct an in-depth analysis of the potential economic repercussions of climate change. Focus on the impacts of climate changes on global agricultural productivity and food security, as well as their associated dynamics in the global economy.

20) Conduct an in-depth exploration of the relationship between supply and demand dynamics and their influence on the market.

21) Analyze the impact of globalization on local economies. Examine both the direct and indirect effects of globalization and assess strategies for local economies to adapt and thrive within this system.

22) Write a research paper that investigates the role of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin in the global economy. What potential do these currencies have to disrupt traditional financial systems? What are their implications for monetary policy?

23) Undertake a study of the impact of China’s economic ascendance on the global economy.

24) Explore the intricate effects of population growth and/or decline on economic systems, considering factors such as labor market dynamics, allocation of resources, and the potential for sustainable development.

Political Science Research Topics

25) Discuss the role of lobbyists in U.S. politics. Scrutinize their influence on policy-making, and discuss the broader implications for democratic representation.

26) What influence does the media have on political elections? Investigate how media coverage shapes public opinion and voter behavior.

27) Analyze the impact of immigration policy on the economy. Examine such policies’ immediate and long-term implications on the labor market and economy.

28) Discuss the role of the Supreme Court in shaping U.S. laws. Focus on the function the Supreme Court plays in establishing legal precedents.

Philosophy 

29) Write a research paper examining the concept of free will, its origins, evolution, and implications.

30) Consider the implications of determinism. Look at its impact on individual agency and moral responsibility within the broader framework of philosophical tradition.

31) Undertake an in-depth analysis of happiness in philosophy, considering its interpretations and their influence on real-world practices.

32) Investigate how various philosophies have perceived consciousness through time. Trace this depiction of consciousness through various philosophical movements.

33) Discuss Nietzsche’s concept of the Übermensch, examining its underpinnings and implications.

Psychology research Topics

34) What role does social media play in shaping an individual’s self-esteem?

35) Explore childhood trauma’s long-lasting impact on adult interpersonal relationships and attachment styles.

36) Analyze the critical role that distinct parenting styles play in molding a child’s personality.

37) Research and discuss the psychological effects and health implications of prolonged exposure to stress.

Art Research Topics

38) Discuss the role of the Renaissance period on modern art, doing a side-by-side analysis of works from both eras.

39) Conduct a thorough analysis of the impact of street art on urban culture, examining how it reshapes public spaces and societal narratives.

40) Investigate the influence of Pop Art on modern design. You might focus on Pop Art’s particular impact on interior design and digital media.

41) Explore the role feminist art plays in promoting gender equality. How do feminist artworks challenge traditional gender roles and/or contribute to societal discourse?

Computer Science Research Topics

42) Artificial Intelligence is advancing rapidly. Analyze the benefits and drawbacks of this technology.

43) Discuss whether the use of facial recognition technology violates individuals’ privacy, as well as the broader implications such technology has on societal well-being.

44) Analyze the use of surveillance technology by the government. Is it ethical for the government to use such technology to monitor its citizens?

45) Investigate the rapid development and long-term effects of various social media platforms.

46) Investigate the history of book bans in schools. Discuss the larger cultural and educational impacts such bans have on students and society.

47) Analyze various forms of schooling, from homeschooling to public and private schools. Consider the implications of each on a child’s education and social skills.

48) Write a research paper examining the use of affirmative action or other race-conscious policies on college campuses. Discuss the impact such policies have, as well as potential benefits and drawbacks.

49) Consider the impact of standardized testing on student performance.

Government and Law Research Topics

50) Consider the role that intellectual property and copyright laws play in innovation.

51) Investigate the impact of anti-trust laws on big corporations. What are the economic effects of these laws?

52) Study the role that law enforcement plays in community safety.

53) Consider the legalization of marijuana on crime rates. Discuss the impact this legalization has had on various communities, as well as its benefits and drawbacks.

History Research Topics

54) Analyze the influence of the Civil Rights movement on modern America. How did this movement shape racial, social, and political dynamics in America?

55) Investigate how the French Revolution reshaped political structures and ideologies across Europe.

56) Analyze the significance of the fall of the Berlin Wall and how it marked a shift in the global balance of power.

57) Delve into the effects of the Cold War, as well as its impacts on global politics.

58) Examine the role that women played during World War II and what impact these roles had on challenging gender norms.

I’ve Got My Topic: What Now?

Once you’ve selected your topic, begin brainstorming ways to shape and craft your argument. Here’s one structure your research paper might take:

• Introduction: The introduction presents your research topic to readers and provides a roadmap for the paper ahead.
• Thesis Statement: Craft a compelling thesis statement summarizing your paper’s central arguments.
• Body : The body of the paper is where your carefully conducted research comes into play. Each paragraph should follow the previous one, building a logical progression of thoughts.
• Conclusion: In your conclusion, you reiterate the points you made in your paper and provide a closing paragraph to neatly tie up any last thoughts.
• Reference Page: This is where you credit your sources.

Once you’ve followed this structure, you’re on your way to crafting an excellent research paper. Of course, don’t let pesky typos undermine your hours of hard work and writing. Make sure to always proofread your work before turning it in. And if you’re passionate about research and writing, don’t stop there. Check out these summer programs for writing and journalism so that you can continue to fuel your passion.

• High School Success

Lauren Green

With a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing from Columbia University and an MFA in Fiction from the Michener Center for Writers at the University of Texas at Austin, Lauren has been a professional writer for over a decade. She is the author of the chapbook  A Great Dark House  (Poetry Society of America, 2023) and a forthcoming novel (Viking/Penguin).

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Regions & Countries

3. problems students are facing at public k-12 schools.

We asked teachers about how students are doing at their school. Overall, many teachers hold negative views about students’ academic performance and behavior.

• 48% say the academic performance of most students at their school is fair or poor; a third say it’s good and only 17% say it’s excellent or very good.
• 49% say students’ behavior at their school is fair or poor; 35% say it’s good and 13% rate it as excellent or very good.

Teachers in elementary, middle and high schools give similar answers when asked about students’ academic performance. But when it comes to students’ behavior, elementary and middle school teachers are more likely than high school teachers to say it’s fair or poor (51% and 54%, respectively, vs. 43%).

Teachers from high-poverty schools are more likely than those in medium- and low-poverty schools to say the academic performance and behavior of most students at their school are fair or poor.

The differences between high- and low-poverty schools are particularly striking. Most teachers from high-poverty schools say the academic performance (73%) and behavior (64%) of most students at their school are fair or poor. Much smaller shares of teachers from low-poverty schools say the same (27% for academic performance and 37% for behavior).

In turn, teachers from low-poverty schools are far more likely than those from high-poverty schools to say the academic performance and behavior of most students at their school are excellent or very good.

Lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

Among those who have been teaching for at least a year, about eight-in-ten teachers say the lasting impact of the pandemic on students’ behavior, academic performance and emotional well-being has been very or somewhat negative. This includes about a third or more saying that the lasting impact has been very negative in each area.

Shares ranging from 11% to 15% of teachers say the pandemic has had no lasting impact on these aspects of students’ lives, or that the impact has been neither positive nor negative. Only about 5% say that the pandemic has had a positive lasting impact on these things.

A smaller majority of teachers (55%) say the pandemic has had a negative impact on the way parents interact with teachers, with 18% saying its lasting impact has been very negative.

These results are mostly consistent across teachers of different grade levels and school poverty levels.

Major problems at school

When we asked teachers about a range of problems that may affect students who attend their school, the following issues top the list:

• Poverty (53% say this is a major problem at their school)
• Chronic absenteeism – that is, students missing a substantial number of school days (49%)
• Anxiety and depression (48%)

One-in-five say bullying is a major problem among students at their school. Smaller shares of teachers point to drug use (14%), school fights (12%), alcohol use (4%) and gangs (3%).

Differences by school level

Similar shares of teachers across grade levels say poverty is a major problem at their school, but other problems are more common in middle or high schools:

• 61% of high school teachers say chronic absenteeism is a major problem at their school, compared with 43% of elementary school teachers and 46% of middle school teachers.
• 69% of high school teachers and 57% of middle school teachers say anxiety and depression are a major problem, compared with 29% of elementary school teachers.
• 34% of middle school teachers say bullying is a major problem, compared with 13% of elementary school teachers and 21% of high school teachers.

Not surprisingly, drug use, school fights, alcohol use and gangs are more likely to be viewed as major problems by secondary school teachers than by those teaching in elementary schools.

Differences by poverty level

Teachers’ views on problems students face at their school also vary by school poverty level.

Majorities of teachers in high- and medium-poverty schools say chronic absenteeism is a major problem where they teach (66% and 58%, respectively). A much smaller share of teachers in low-poverty schools say this (34%).

Bullying, school fights and gangs are viewed as major problems by larger shares of teachers in high-poverty schools than in medium- and low-poverty schools.

When it comes to anxiety and depression, a slightly larger share of teachers in low-poverty schools (51%) than in high-poverty schools (44%) say these are a major problem among students where they teach.  

Discipline practices

About two-thirds of teachers (66%) say that the current discipline practices at their school are very or somewhat mild – including 27% who say they’re very mild. Only 2% say the discipline practices at their school are very or somewhat harsh, while 31% say they are neither harsh nor mild.

We also asked teachers about the amount of influence different groups have when it comes to determining discipline practices at their school.

• 67% say teachers themselves don’t have enough influence. Very few (2%) say teachers have too much influence, and 29% say their influence is about right.

• 31% of teachers say school administrators don’t have enough influence, 22% say they have too much, and 45% say their influence is about right.
• On balance, teachers are more likely to say parents, their state government and the local school board have too much influence rather than not enough influence in determining discipline practices at their school. Still, substantial shares say these groups have about the right amount of influence.

Teachers from low- and medium-poverty schools (46% each) are more likely than those in high-poverty schools (36%) to say parents have too much influence over discipline practices.

In turn, teachers from high-poverty schools (34%) are more likely than those from low- and medium-poverty schools (17% and 18%, respectively) to say that parents don’t have enough influence.

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Table of contents, ‘back to school’ means anytime from late july to after labor day, depending on where in the u.s. you live, among many u.s. children, reading for fun has become less common, federal data shows, most european students learn english in school, for u.s. teens today, summer means more schooling and less leisure time than in the past, about one-in-six u.s. teachers work second jobs – and not just in the summer, most popular.

About Pew Research Center Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts .

• Vehicle Technologies Office
• About the Vehicle Technologies Office
• Technology Areas
• Technology Integration
• Reports and Publications

Office: Vehicle Technologies Office FOA number:  DE-FOA-0003248 Link to apply:  Apply on EERE Exchange FOA Amount: $45,800,000

Today, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced $45.8 million in new funding for projects that will advance research, development, demonstration, and deployment (RDD&D) critical to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector. The funding will drive innovation in equitable clean transportation and is aligned with strategies detailed in the U.S. National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization . 

The funding is through DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). Topic areas in the Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 R&D funding opportunity include:

• Next-generation phosphate-based cathodes.
• Advancing the state of the art for sodium-ion batteries.
• Developing concepts for decreasing greenhouse gas emissions from off-road vehicles such as construction, agriculture, mining, and forestry vehicles.
• Developing and deploying vehicle-to-everything technologies that can lead to meaningful savings at the vehicle and transportation system level.
• Developing high-performance, domestically produced electrical steels (E-steels) for use in electrified powertrains.
• Addressing critical cybersecurity needs for smart and secure electric vehicle charging.

As part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to ensuring the benefits of a clean transportation system are shared equally, the funding seeks the participation of underserved communities and underrepresented groups. Applicants are required to describe how diversity, equity, and inclusion objectives will be incorporated into their project. 

VTO provides a series of funding opportunity announcement (FOA) information session videos , which help applicants understand VTO’s FOA process and requirements. The recently released, Session 3: Tips for a Strong FOA Application, includes best practices for incorporating Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in a project.

Learn more about this and other funding opportunities on VTO’s funding webpage . 

Topic Areas

Topic Area 1: Next-Generation Phosphate-Based Cathodes

This topic area targets the development of phosphate-based cathode materials that surpass the performance of state-of-the-art lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathode materials, which are currently gaining traction as an alternative low-cost solution. The primary objective of this area of interest is to develop high energy density battery cells containing phosphate-based cathodes at the material and cell level.

Topic Area 2: Na-ion Battery Seedling Projects for Electric Vehicle Applications

While shifting to alternative cathode materials like LFP can alleviate the impact of nickel and cobalt, the impact of lithium has not been adequately addressed. One alternative to lithium is sodium (Na). While there is much promise for Na-ion chemistries, key issues still limit their adoption. This objective of this topic area is to advance the state of the art for Na-ion batteries by solving key challenges for the cathode, anode, or electrolyte through the development of 1 Ah full cells utilizing cell chemistries that are significant advancements over current industry state-of-the-art Na-ion technology.

Topic Area 3: Low-GHG Concepts for Off-Road Vehicles

The objective of this topic area is to develop and validate technology concepts capable of significantly decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, harmful criteria emissions, and total cost of ownership across the entire off-road vehicle sector, including construction, agriculture, mining, forestry, ports, warehouses, etc. Concepts must demonstrate they can meet the unique requirements for off-road vehicles and gain customer acceptance.

Topic Area 4: Saving Energy with Connectivity

Research has shown that vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications can lead to meaningful energy savings at the vehicle and transportation system level by integrating interoperable vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), and vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) communications. The objective of this topic area is to develop and deploy V2X technologies with a focus on the efficiency and convenience of the mobility ecosystem, while reducing transportation’s environmental impacts. Examples could include but are not limited to eco-driving along connected corridors, transit or freight priority, integrated corridor management, or passenger or freight trip-chaining optimization.

Topic Area 5: Domestically Produced Electrical Steels (E-Steels)

The US transportation sector is in a technology revolution where light-duty vehicles are rapidly transitioning from internal combustion engines to electrified powertrains. Although most of the vehicles are produced in the US, many of the powertrain components rely on imports and foreign supply chains. Of particular interest are traction motors and their components. The objective of this topic are is to develop E-Steels meeting properties including frequency, thickness, ductility, cost, and manufacturability. 

Topic Area 6: Cybersecurity for Smart and Secure Electric Vehicle Charging

This topic area is addressing critical cybersecurity needs to address through two subtopics: 

• Subtopic 6.a: Enabling Wide-scale, Cybersecure EV/EVSE Aggregation for Grid Services :  To support the integration of electric vehicles (EVs) and their charging requirements with the electric grid, both government and the private sector have made significant investments in the development of smart charge management (SCM) systems and technologies for EV charging infrastructure. The objective of this subtopic area is to research, develop, and demonstrate systems, technologies, and tools necessary for the cybersecure aggregation of EVs and charging infrastructure to provide widescale, cybersecure grid services.
• Subtopic 6.b: Tools to Assess EV/EVSE/Charging System Cybersecurity Posture and Compliance with Standards and Protocols for Communications, Controls, and Monitoring :   Testing and evaluation of Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) by DOE national laboratories has clearly indicated a lack of compliance by many vendors with certified and/or regulated EV charging standards and protocols. In addition to creating cybersecurity vulnerabilities, this non-compliance greatly inhibits interoperability, supplier-managed SCM, and right-to-repair. The objective of this subtopic is to research, develop, and validate a suite of tools and associated procedures to comprehensively assess EV/EVSE/charging system compliance with relevant standards and protocols and cybersecurity posture.

Additional Information

• Download the full funding opportunity  on the EERE Exchange website.
• For FOA-specific support, contact  [email protected] . 
• Sign up for the  Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) funding email list  to get notified of new EERE funding opportunities. Also sign up for  VTO’s newsletter to stay current with the latest news.
• Watch the VTO Funding Opportunity Announcement information series webinars.

Universal brain-computer interface lets people play games with just their thoughts

Imagine playing a racing game like Mario Kart, using only your brain to execute the complex series of turns in a lap.

This is not a video game fantasy, but a real program that engineers at The University of Texas at Austin have created as part of research into brain-computer interfaces to help improve the lives of people with motor disabilities. More importantly, the researchers incorporated machine learning capabilities with their brain-computer interface, making it a one-size-fits-all solution.

Typically, these devices require extensive calibration for each user -- every brain is different, both for healthy and disabled users -- and that has been a major hurdle to mainstream adoption. This new solution can quickly understand the needs of an individual subject and self-calibrate through repetition. That means multiple patients could use the device without needing to tune it to the individual.

"When we think about this in a clinical setting, this technology will make it so we won't need a specialized team to do this calibration process, which is long and tedious," said Satyam Kumar, a graduate student in the lab of José del R. Millán, a professor in the Cockrell School of Engineering's Chandra Family Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Dell Medical School's Department of Neurology. "It will be much faster to move from patient to patient."

The research on the calibration-free interface is published in PNAS Nexus .

From left to right: Satyam Kumar, Hussein Alawieh and José del R. Millán.

The subjects wear a cap packed with electrodes that is hooked up to a computer. The electrodes gather data by measuring electrical signals from the brain, and the decoder interprets that information and translates it into game action.

Millán's work on brain-computer interfaces helps users guide and strengthen their neural plasticity, the ability of the brain to change, grow and reorganize over time. These experiments are designed to improve brain function for patients and use the devices controlled by brain-computer interfaces to make their lives easier.

In this case, the actions were twofold: the car racing game, and a simpler task of balancing the left and right sides of a digital bar. An expert was trained to develop a "decoder" for the simpler bar task that makes it possible for the interface to translate brain waves into commands. The decoder serves as a base for the other users and is the key to avoiding the long calibration process.

The decoder worked well enough that subjects trained simultaneously for the bar game and the more complicated car racing game, which required thinking several steps ahead to make turns.

The researchers called this work foundational, in that it sets the stage for further brain-computer interface innovation. This project used 18 subjects with no motor impairments. Eventually, as they continue down this road, they will test this on people with motor impairments to apply it to larger groups in clinical settings.

"On the one hand, we want to translate the BCI to the clinical realm to help people with disabilities; on the other, we need to improve our technology to make it easier to use so that the impact for these people with disabilities is stronger," Millán said.

On the side of translating the research, Millán and his team continue to work on a wheelchair that users can drive with the brain-computer interface. At the South by Southwest Conference and Festivals this month, the researchers showed off another potential use of the technology, controlling two rehabilitation robots for the hand and arm. This was not part of the new paper but a sign of where this technology could go in the future. Several people volunteered and succeeded in operating the brain-controlled robots within minutes.

"The point of this technology is to help people, help them in their everyday lives," Millán said. "We'll continue down this path wherever it takes us in the pursuit of helping people."

• Brain Tumor
• Medical Devices
• Nervous System
• Psychology Research
• Brain-Computer Interfaces
• Language Acquisition
• Brain Injury
• Intelligence
• Brain damage
• Encephalopathy
• Brain tumor
• Positron emission tomography
• Virtual reality
• Alzheimer's disease
• Psychopathology
• Memory-prediction framework

Story Source:

Materials provided by University of Texas at Austin . Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Journal Reference :

• Satyam Kumar, Hussein Alawieh, Frigyes Samuel Racz, Rawan Fakhreddine, José del R Millán. Transfer learning promotes acquisition of individual BCI skills . PNAS Nexus , 2024; 3 (2) DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae076

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Video game devotees are much more likely to be working-class than middle-class, says research

by Tony Trueman, British Sociological Association

Adults who play video games daily are much more likely to be working-class than middle-class, new research shows.

Although as teenagers their rates of daily playing were similar, by aged 20 middle- class people were devoting more time to their careers, the study found.

Xiaobin Zhou, Dr. Adrian Leguina and Professor Paula Saukko, from Loughborough University, interviewed 37 gamers and analyzed survey data on 3,357 English people aged 16–34.

From the survey, they found that among people aged 20–24, 8.7% working in higher managerial or professional jobs played video games every day, compared with 20% of people in routine or manual jobs. The figures for 25- to 34-year-olds were 8.7% and 13% respectively.

Xiaobin Zhou told the British Sociological Association's online annual conference held today (Friday 5 April 2024) that after aged 20, "the rate of those playing daily decreased dramatically among the middle-class, which contrasts with the routine-manual group where the decline is considerably less marked."

In his interviews with 37 gamers, he found that "most middle-class and upwardly mobile participants' gaming time gradually decreased because of educational or professional responsibilities. They considered self-control a valuable achievement, and underlined that they had found a balance between gaming as a hobby and normal life."

Their self-disciplined habit was "likely inculcated in higher education institutions and professional workplaces. It affects participants' gaming as well as enhances careers and economic positions."

As middle-class people moved away from their homes to study or work, they gamed less together or switched to solo gaming, which allowed them to fit gaming into their busy everyday routine.

The gaming habits of working-class people changed less when they became adults because their life situation stayed the same.

"Working-class participants, especially in further education or not fully employed, often continued to play more frequently and for longer each session when transitioning to young adulthood.

"Some held negative views about their gaming and considered they probably spent too much time gaming, which might not be healthy, but nonetheless rarely sought to control it. Not adopting such controlled gaming habits might make them acutely conscious or ashamed of their gaming."

The study found that working-class participants, who often remained in the same social circle throughout their lives, stressed the bonding they experienced when they played video games with the same friends. This further encouraged them to play video games.

A working-class interviewee told Xiaobin Zhou that he spent about eight hours a day playing video games, "maybe more, maybe less, depending on how well my gaming session is going. It's probably not a healthy amount, but for me personally I quite enjoy it."

One middle-class participant told him, "I'd love to be able to play more and put more time into it but I know it's not the most important thing in my life at this point, so it's always going to take a back seat to something else."

Xiaobin Zhou said that the research was the first to study the transition from adolescence to young adulthood. "We can see video game studies flourishing during the past two decades, but the impact of social class on video gaming has been frequently overlooked."

The survey recorded data on the careers of 16- to 19-year-olds, a few of whom were in managerial jobs, some by running their own business. Of these, 33% played video games every day, compared with 38% of those in routine or manual jobs.

Half of 16- to 19-year-olds in a higher managerial job never played video games, compared with a third in routine or manual jobs. For later ages the figures were 50%–60% for both classes.

The study analyzed data from the English Taking Part Survey, which is an annual survey representative of the English population conducted by the DCMS. The study analyzed a sub-sample of young respondents grouped in three age categories (16–19, 20–24 and 25–34).

The secondary analysis involved merging data from two waves of the TPS (years 2018–2019 and 2019–2020) on 1,771 out of 8,156 people in TPS 2018–2019 and 1,586 out of 7,483 people in TPS 2019–2020 who fell into the selected age range. The interviews carried out by the three researchers were of people between the ages of 18 to 35 years who frequently played games, mainly recruited online from Facebook groups and sub-Reddits in the UK Midlands.

Provided by British Sociological Association

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Deposit Insurance, Uninsured Depositors, and Liquidity Risk During Panics

The lack of universal deposit insurance coverage can create liquidity risk during financial crises. This aspect of deposit insurance is hard to test in modern data because of the broad coverage of most systems. We, therefore, study the role that the U.S. Postal Savings System played in commercial bank closures during the Great Depression. The system offered households a federally insured deposit account at post offices throughout the nation, and its structure provides a near-ideal environment to identify this competitive liquidity risk during a crisis. We find that banks that operated nearby a post office that accepted deposits were more likely to close between 1929 and 1935. We further make use of a structural change in the availability of postal depositories in the early 1910 to estimate an IV regression that confirms the results. In either model, the effect is strongest for those banks with low reserves, suggesting that the mechanism was through depositor withdrawals rather than other factors.

The authors have no sources of funding or relevant financial relationships to disclose. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Bureau of Economic Research.

MARC RIS BibTeΧ

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