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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.

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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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How To Write A Research Paper

Step-By-Step Tutorial With Examples + FREE Template

By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Expert Reviewer: Dr Eunice Rautenbach | March 2024

For many students, crafting a strong research paper from scratch can feel like a daunting task – and rightly so! In this post, we’ll unpack what a research paper is, what it needs to do , and how to write one – in three easy steps. 🙂

Overview: Writing A Research Paper

What (exactly) is a research paper.

How to write a research paper
Stage 1 : Topic & literature search
Stage 2 : Structure & outline
Stage 3 : Iterative writing
Key takeaways

Let’s start by asking the most important question, “ What is a research paper? ”.

Simply put, a research paper is a scholarly written work where the writer (that’s you!) answers a specific question (this is called a research question ) through evidence-based arguments . Evidence-based is the keyword here. In other words, a research paper is different from an essay or other writing assignments that draw from the writer’s personal opinions or experiences. With a research paper, it’s all about building your arguments based on evidence (we’ll talk more about that evidence a little later).

Now, it’s worth noting that there are many different types of research papers , including analytical papers (the type I just described), argumentative papers, and interpretative papers. Here, we’ll focus on analytical papers , as these are some of the most common – but if you’re keen to learn about other types of research papers, be sure to check out the rest of the blog .

With that basic foundation laid, let’s get down to business and look at how to write a research paper .

Overview: The 3-Stage Process

While there are, of course, many potential approaches you can take to write a research paper, there are typically three stages to the writing process. So, in this tutorial, we’ll present a straightforward three-step process that we use when working with students at Grad Coach.

These three steps are:

Finding a research topic and reviewing the existing literature
Developing a provisional structure and outline for your paper, and
Writing up your initial draft and then refining it iteratively

Let’s dig into each of these.

Need a helping hand?

Step 1: Find a topic and review the literature

As we mentioned earlier, in a research paper, you, as the researcher, will try to answer a question . More specifically, that’s called a research question , and it sets the direction of your entire paper. What’s important to understand though is that you’ll need to answer that research question with the help of high-quality sources – for example, journal articles, government reports, case studies, and so on. We’ll circle back to this in a minute.

The first stage of the research process is deciding on what your research question will be and then reviewing the existing literature (in other words, past studies and papers) to see what they say about that specific research question. In some cases, your professor may provide you with a predetermined research question (or set of questions). However, in many cases, you’ll need to find your own research question within a certain topic area.

Finding a strong research question hinges on identifying a meaningful research gap – in other words, an area that’s lacking in existing research. There’s a lot to unpack here, so if you wanna learn more, check out the plain-language explainer video below.

Once you’ve figured out which question (or questions) you’ll attempt to answer in your research paper, you’ll need to do a deep dive into the existing literature – this is called a “ literature search ”. Again, there are many ways to go about this, but your most likely starting point will be Google Scholar .

If you’re new to Google Scholar, think of it as Google for the academic world. You can start by simply entering a few different keywords that are relevant to your research question and it will then present a host of articles for you to review. What you want to pay close attention to here is the number of citations for each paper – the more citations a paper has, the more credible it is (generally speaking – there are some exceptions, of course).

Ideally, what you’re looking for are well-cited papers that are highly relevant to your topic. That said, keep in mind that citations are a cumulative metric , so older papers will often have more citations than newer papers – just because they’ve been around for longer. So, don’t fixate on this metric in isolation – relevance and recency are also very important.

Beyond Google Scholar, you’ll also definitely want to check out academic databases and aggregators such as Science Direct, PubMed, JStor and so on. These will often overlap with the results that you find in Google Scholar, but they can also reveal some hidden gems – so, be sure to check them out.

Once you’ve worked your way through all the literature, you’ll want to catalogue all this information in some sort of spreadsheet so that you can easily recall who said what, when and within what context. If you’d like, we’ve got a free literature spreadsheet that helps you do exactly that.

Don’t fixate on an article’s citation count in isolation - relevance (to your research question) and recency are also very important.

Step 2: Develop a structure and outline

With your research question pinned down and your literature digested and catalogued, it’s time to move on to planning your actual research paper .

It might sound obvious, but it’s really important to have some sort of rough outline in place before you start writing your paper. So often, we see students eagerly rushing into the writing phase, only to land up with a disjointed research paper that rambles on in multiple

Now, the secret here is to not get caught up in the fine details . Realistically, all you need at this stage is a bullet-point list that describes (in broad strokes) what you’ll discuss and in what order. It’s also useful to remember that you’re not glued to this outline – in all likelihood, you’ll chop and change some sections once you start writing, and that’s perfectly okay. What’s important is that you have some sort of roadmap in place from the start.

You need to have a rough outline in place before you start writing your paper - or you’ll end up with a disjointed research paper that rambles on.

At this stage you might be wondering, “ But how should I structure my research paper? ”. Well, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution here, but in general, a research paper will consist of a few relatively standardised components:

Introduction
Literature review
Methodology

Let’s take a look at each of these.

First up is the introduction section . As the name suggests, the purpose of the introduction is to set the scene for your research paper. There are usually (at least) four ingredients that go into this section – these are the background to the topic, the research problem and resultant research question , and the justification or rationale. If you’re interested, the video below unpacks the introduction section in more detail.

The next section of your research paper will typically be your literature review . Remember all that literature you worked through earlier? Well, this is where you’ll present your interpretation of all that content . You’ll do this by writing about recent trends, developments, and arguments within the literature – but more specifically, those that are relevant to your research question . The literature review can oftentimes seem a little daunting, even to seasoned researchers, so be sure to check out our extensive collection of literature review content here .

With the introduction and lit review out of the way, the next section of your paper is the research methodology . In a nutshell, the methodology section should describe to your reader what you did (beyond just reviewing the existing literature) to answer your research question. For example, what data did you collect, how did you collect that data, how did you analyse that data and so on? For each choice, you’ll also need to justify why you chose to do it that way, and what the strengths and weaknesses of your approach were.

Now, it’s worth mentioning that for some research papers, this aspect of the project may be a lot simpler . For example, you may only need to draw on secondary sources (in other words, existing data sets). In some cases, you may just be asked to draw your conclusions from the literature search itself (in other words, there may be no data analysis at all). But, if you are required to collect and analyse data, you’ll need to pay a lot of attention to the methodology section. The video below provides an example of what the methodology section might look like.

By this stage of your paper, you will have explained what your research question is, what the existing literature has to say about that question, and how you analysed additional data to try to answer your question. So, the natural next step is to present your analysis of that data . This section is usually called the “results” or “analysis” section and this is where you’ll showcase your findings.

Depending on your school’s requirements, you may need to present and interpret the data in one section – or you might split the presentation and the interpretation into two sections. In the latter case, your “results” section will just describe the data, and the “discussion” is where you’ll interpret that data and explicitly link your analysis back to your research question. If you’re not sure which approach to take, check in with your professor or take a look at past papers to see what the norms are for your programme.

Alright – once you’ve presented and discussed your results, it’s time to wrap it up . This usually takes the form of the “ conclusion ” section. In the conclusion, you’ll need to highlight the key takeaways from your study and close the loop by explicitly answering your research question. Again, the exact requirements here will vary depending on your programme (and you may not even need a conclusion section at all) – so be sure to check with your professor if you’re unsure.

Step 3: Write and refine

Finally, it’s time to get writing. All too often though, students hit a brick wall right about here… So, how do you avoid this happening to you?

Well, there’s a lot to be said when it comes to writing a research paper (or any sort of academic piece), but we’ll share three practical tips to help you get started.

First and foremost , it’s essential to approach your writing as an iterative process. In other words, you need to start with a really messy first draft and then polish it over multiple rounds of editing. Don’t waste your time trying to write a perfect research paper in one go. Instead, take the pressure off yourself by adopting an iterative approach.

Secondly , it’s important to always lean towards critical writing , rather than descriptive writing. What does this mean? Well, at the simplest level, descriptive writing focuses on the “ what ”, while critical writing digs into the “ so what ” – in other words, the implications. If you’re not familiar with these two types of writing, don’t worry! You can find a plain-language explanation here.

Last but not least, you’ll need to get your referencing right. Specifically, you’ll need to provide credible, correctly formatted citations for the statements you make. We see students making referencing mistakes all the time and it costs them dearly. The good news is that you can easily avoid this by using a simple reference manager . If you don’t have one, check out our video about Mendeley, an easy (and free) reference management tool that you can start using today.

Recap: Key Takeaways

We’ve covered a lot of ground here. To recap, the three steps to writing a high-quality research paper are:

To choose a research question and review the literature
To plan your paper structure and draft an outline
To take an iterative approach to writing, focusing on critical writing and strong referencing

Remember, this is just a b ig-picture overview of the research paper development process and there’s a lot more nuance to unpack. So, be sure to grab a copy of our free research paper template to learn more about how to write a research paper.

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101 research paper topics.

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

This is an image of a young woman in a library. She is sitting at a desk with a pile of books and looking toward the ceiling. She appears to be in deep thought.

923 Comments

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

Mackenah Nicole Molina

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

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

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

Edwin Augusto Galindo Cuba

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

research kid

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

You can do one on bats

For international studies you can do Defense and Security.

This was very helpful.

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

Mandy Maher

“Is it possible to colonize Mars?”

maddy burney

these are silly topics

thx for making this real.

Mary Nnamani

Please I need project topics on Language Literature

Marcella Vallarino

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

I need a research topics about public sector management

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

publish research that are interesting please……

hey can you do one on the burmiueda triangle

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

they’re

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

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

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

communism is good

what are you a communist?!?!

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

do you know how babies are born

Christine Singu

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

need more about US army

Please can yiu give me a topic in education

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

or How Do Video Games Affect Teenagers?

zimbabwe leader

I think a good topic is supporting the confederate flag!

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

do more weird ones plz

joyce alcantara

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

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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!

Jump to paper topics in:

European & Mediterranean History

African history, asian history, history of the pre-columbian americas.

Latin American History

History of Science

Politics & public policy, education & education policy, political theory, science policy.

Health Sciences & Psychology

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!

good research paper topics about the US Revolution

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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99 Great Handpicked Ideas for Argumentative Essays 12 Essential Steps for Writing an Argumentative Essay The 13 SAT and ACT Grammar Rules to Know 16 Essential Literary Devices to Know

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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Top-notch Research Paper Topics List

29 November, 2020

16 minutes read

Author: Kate Smith

You know how they say: “Be strong; the beginnings to great things are always the hardest”? And though you might not consider writing a research paper and choosing a good research paper topic a really great thing, you see our point. If you are having troubles getting started with the composition in question, we have good news for you.

We have come up with a lengthy list of good research paper topics that will come in handy if you are running out of research paper ideas. Sounds like something you can use? Then don’t hesitate to make the most out of it!

And if you would rather order a whole piece from a professional, we can be of much help here too. Our research paper writing service can craft a piece for you at any time and on any topic. Just drop us a line!

But before we dive into various topics we have to offer, consider checking out our recommendations on how to find argumentative research paper topics all by yourself.

What is a Good Topic for a Research Paper?

There are several facets of a good research paper topic. To put it short, your theme should be:

When you pose a topic for your research, be sure that it is clear. A reader should be able to understand its purpose right away. If he doesn’t, you did not do a very good job formulating the subject line.

No kidding: you should do your best to be innovative even if you are writing a paper on something as old as time. It might not be simple, but we’re sure you can find a new perspective if you dedicate enough time to the search.

The paper must contain precise figures or facts. They are at the core of your research. Don’t confuse this type of composition with descriptive writing. They have nothing in common. So, focus on precise data: that’s exactly what your readers expect from you.

How to Choose Interesting Research Paper Topics

Before you take one of the topics we suggest, we recommend you to try to come up with a good topic yourself. It might be easier than you think. Here are several ways to spot an interesting idea:

Think of Something You Find Interesting.

There are always things we find astonishing but don’t have enough time to explore deeper. Maybe this is your chance to give it some time and conduct in-depth research. Of course, take into account the discipline and the academic level required. Thus, it’s pretty clear that you can’t talk about the Vietnam War for the Social Studies class paper (unless you’re looking into the differences of the military operations impact on the civilians and soldiers).

Choose a Topic With Sufficient Data for the Research.

The main point of writing this paper lies in finding information at various credible sources and refining it. Therefore, if you pick a subject that is somewhat new or wasn’t studied well in the past, you’ll have no information to work with. That is why the availability of credible information is vital to the success of the writing process.

Narrow the Subject Down.

The subject you find great interest in might be too broad. Not to sound too shallow, it’s better for you to pick just one perspective of the problem and study it carefully. This way you will be able to dive deep enough into the research instead of just hitting the high spots.

These are our recommendations on how to choose a theme on your own. Now let’s look into other tips we’d like to offer to you before you get down to writing.

Related post: How to write an Argumentative essay

How to write an outline for a research paper

While you can find all the essential information in our guide on how to write a perfect research paper outline , here we’ll introduce you to the basics.

Find an engaging topic. For it, read on to see what subject line we have to offer.
Create a list of credible sources to take a look at. You can either ask you tutor for recommendations, surf the web, or go old school and visit a library for suggestions.
Mark all the elements you will add to your outline.
Briefly explain what each of these components will be about. But don’t bury the blueprint under too many details. Keep it short!
Finally, find good examples to explore.

Now, that you understand how to craft a plan for your paper, have our tips to help you out along the way, your only job is to find good topic ideas to write about. And we can help you with that too!

Note that our company provides academic writing help. You can buy a research paper written from scratch by our essay writer .

Now that you know your ways around crafting good research papers, we want to introduce you to our list of various ideas you can conduct a thorough research on. Use our ideas if coming up with your own is something you don’t want to deal with at the moment.

Psychology Research Paper Topics

Are people with the IQ level above the average really unhappy?
Eating disorders: Are they necessarily associated with the self-image issues?
The impact of stress on the mental health of a person.
The nature and causes of child violence.
Insomnia as a valid excuse for breaking the rules or committing crimes.
Race relations in the USA in the 20th century and today.
The nature and causes of sexual orientation: Different perspectives on the issue.

Easy Research Paper Topics

The glass ceiling: Myth or reality?
Popular ventures started without money.
The history of the social media boom around the globe.
Top tech startups of the 21st century.
Video games and their impact on the development of young people.
Animal testing across the globe.
Is global warming real?
Has the Internet become a safer place with the cybersecurity principles implementation?
The impact of the screen time on a child’s mental development.
The US election system: The history and principles behind it.

World History Research Paper Topics

The life and traditions of the first Gladiators.
Hiroshima and Nagasaki: Bits and pieces of the tragedy.
The history of Singapore: From worst to first.
North Korea: Dictatorship ideology and its complications.
The establishment of the League of Nations.
Racial discrimination origins.
The history of the Gutenberg Bible.
The most powerful opponent of Germany in the WWI.
Egyptian pyramids: The history and meaning.
The history of Christianity.

Controversial Topics for Research Paper

The history of modern Israel.
Abortion: “My body – my rules” or the discrimination of the unborns’ rights?
How Facebook shaped the way people communicate today.
Beauty pageants: Celebration of the beauty or discrimination in disguise?
Death penalty around the globe.
Implications of gun control in the USA.
Creationism against Evolution.
Physical punishment as a core principle of children’s upbringing.
The origins of the “invasion of privacy” notion across the world.
The impact of social media addiction on young people.
Genetic predisposition to committing a crime.

High School Research Paper Topics

School uniform: The good, the bad, and the ugly.
The effect of sexual acts displays on TV.
The American Dream of Generation X and the Millennials.
Biggest cults existing today in the world.
Learning disabilities: Their nature, causes, and solutions.
The history of Somalia.
The portrayal of a woman in the social media today and 20 years ago.
Freedom of expression.
The poorest nations in the world.
The effect of feminism on Europe.
The impact of classical music on one’s brain.

Literature Research Paper Topics

The relevance of the US Literature class choices to the modern youth.
Examples of literature pieces that shaped whole cultures across the globe.
Feminism in literature.
The issue of the Holocaust in the world’s literature.
The first translations of the Bible.
Literature is known to be most effective in the struggle against illiteracy in different cultures.
The brightest images of Death in literature.
The history of slavery in Africa in world literature.
Romanticism in Spanish literature.
The moralism of the British literature of the 20th century.

College Research Paper Topics

Success stories of college dropouts.
The rarest phobias and fears people have.
The history of e-learning around the globe.
Can higher education grant a successful future career?
Should grades be banned from the educational system?
The use and harm of vaccination.
The new emerging specializations and professions of the 21st century.
The most effective teaching methods today.
The History of the Ivy League.
College re-organization for the better future of education.
Private vs. Public colleges in the USA: Pros and cons.

Persuasive Research Paper Topics

Antisemitism origins.
Sex education pushes the youth to involve in sexual relations too early.
The last days of newspapers in our media-controlled world.
The danger of the GMO.
Impact of Instagram on teenagers’ self-esteem.
Pros and cons of studying at a single-sex school.
Overpopulation management.
Deforestation: Are we digging our own grave this way?
People using cell phones while driving should be held criminally liable.
Paying children for good grades: Different perspectives on the issue.

Sports Research Paper Topics

The greatest athlete in the history of the world.
The history of the Olympic Games.
Why are cybersports considered sports?
The history of marathons and their use today.
Doping in sports.
The use of playing competitive sports.
The most dangerous sports from all over the world.
Should sports be used as a therapy in prisons?
Should student athletes be paid for playing sports?
The effect of physical activities on the human’s brain.

Criminal Justice Research Paper Topics

Prisoners falsely accused and then released should receive financial compensation from the state.
Sexual harassment problem in Europe and the USA.
Should corporate abuse be considered a criminal injustice case?
The death penalty in different countries.
Hate crime history in the USA.
Control over the brutal behavior of guardsmen at prisons.
Should mental issues affect the court judgment?
Sex slavery: Should people buying and selling sex slaves be sentenced to the death penalty?
Should the criminals be allowed to vote?
Two sides of the Mandatory Minimum sentencing.

Topics about Technology for the Research Paper

Will artificial intelligence substitute humans at a workplace?
Saving the Earth today with the aid of state-of-the-art technologies.
Self-driving cars development history.
The history of Virtual and Augmented realities.
Positive use of nuclear energy and the future.
How does the lie detector work? Is this a trustworthy technology?
The history of aviation in the world.

Medical Research Paper Topics

Why animal testing should be stopped.
The history of the Placebo treatment.
Euthanasia: What doctors from different countries think about it.
The use of vegetarianism: The myth or reality?
Mental breakdown: Causes and prevention.
The notion of mood in medicine.
Should marijuana be allowed for recreational purposes?
Should vaccination be mandatory?
The history of plague in Europe.
The most dangerous virus of today.

Ethics Research Paper Topics

Religion and morality: Are people with strong moral beliefs more moral than atheists?
Should teachers be allowed to carry weapons to school?
Prostitution across the globe.
Should recycling be made mandatory?
Paparazzi and the invasion of celebrities’ privacy.
Parents should monitor their kids’ Internet use.
Do laws generally patronize women and discriminate against men?
Adoption by single parents vs. adoption by a two-parent family today.
Countries that use child labor: Should we use their products?
Should breastfeeding in public be banned?

Tips on Writing a Research Paper

Write an outline. An outline will help you stay focused. Since this type of writing is quite lengthy, it is easy to lose track along the way. That is why crafting a detailed outline is in your best interest. It will serve as a roadmap or a blueprint of the whole project.
Start bright. You only have one chance to make a positive first impression. That is why you simply cannot afford writing a dull introduction. There are certain rules on how to start a research paper, and you’d better stick to the rules as described in our guide. A bright opening paragraph will ensure the genuine interest of your audience in what you have to say about the topic and will keep them engaged as you write.
Use immaculate grammar and spelling. Nothing kills a good paper like poor grammar or spelling. It distracts the reader from the main point and makes him stumble while reading. And if you’re worried that grammar and spelling checking will take up too much of your time, don’t worry: you can always use technologies like Grammarly to do the job for you in seconds.
Compose a compelling thesis statement. A thesis statement is the central point of your research paper. You need to insert it in the introduction and make sure that this central idea is exactly one sentence long. Make it loud and clear. However, given the length of this vital part of a research paper, don’t bore readers with too many unnecessary details. This means that you should mention what issue you will look into and why but don’t explain in which ways you will achieve this. Here is a complete guide on what is a thesis statement that will walk you through the process step by step. Enjoy!
Stay within the word count limits. This type of writing has a rather strict word count limit. And you need to stay within it. Tutors don’t have all the time in the world to read long pieces. If you can’t stay within word count limits, they’ll assume you didn’t spend enough time filtering the most vital information out of the research (even if you did). So, not to give them that false impression, don’t make it too short or too long. Make it just right. This is the case when the size matters!
Ask for help. After spending long hours crafting this paper, you are likely to miss some important points. The thing is that you know exactly what you wanted to say, and mistakes seem to be left unnoticed. Not to let them slip into your text, ask your peers, friends, or family to take a look at your writing. Their fresh perspective might be of much help to you!

We hope our research paper topics ideas will help you pick a theme you are genuinely interested in. We promise: conducting research and diving into the search can be a lot of fun as long as you choose an engaging subject.

Related posts: Argumentative essay topics | Compare&Contrast essay topics

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Other Guides to Help You

Before You Start

What do you already know about your subject? Keep a list of key words, names, and events.
How long has your subject existed? Is it a relatively new concept with a lot published about it, or new and undiscovered?
What discipline does your topic fall into? A discipline is an area of study or branch of learning (e.g., History, Biology). Each has its own best starting points.
How are you viewing the topic? Think about what you are planning to emphasize: politics, history, or another aspect?
What's the Timing? How long do you have to do this project? How long does it need to be?

Three Approaches for Developing a Topic

Approach #1: List Key Words of Interest Make lists of concepts and topics you find interesting, as well as lists of related words and synonyms. These can serve as your key search terms.

Approach #2: Draw It Out Sketch out the relationships between ideas.

Approach #3: Define it in Sentences Write an explanation of your topic, justifying it on multiple levels:

I am studying... conformity in Woolf’s Orlando in order to find out... how Orlando’s efforts to conform and ﬁt in change over time in order to help my reader understand... the role maturity and self-awareness play in the character’s efforts to conform to societal norms.

Adapted from The Craft of Research (2003) by Wayne C. Booth, Gregory G. Colomb, and Joseph M. Williams. (We also own the latest edition, 8th edition, 2016 , in print.)

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Last Updated: Feb 14, 2024 1:17 PM
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150 Research Paper Topics

Whether you’re in high school or college, there will come a time when you’ll be required to write a research paper. For many students, writing a research paper can be a challenging task.

Writing the research paper might seem like it’s the hardest part of the entire paper, but for many students, it’s picking out what topic to write about.

If you’re having a difficult time figuring out what topic to write your research paper about, we’ve compiled a list of 150 topics for you to choose from!

How to Choose a Topic for a Research Paper

Pick a few areas or topics that you’re interested in and narrow it down to the topic that you like the best. You’ll be able to put together an insightful paper if you’re interested in the topic you chose.
Make sure you have enough references for your topic. Doing a quick search will help you see if your topic is discussed enough for you to do research.
Make sure your topic fits within your teacher’s guidelines. Your teacher may have set restrictions on certain topics or even requirements that they may want in your paper.

Health Topics

How can lifestyle habits influence overall health?
How does breastfeeding improve the infant’s health?
Reasons why the flu virus is different from year to year.
Different types of stem cells and their usage.
Sleep disorders’ impact on the overall health condition.
The healthiest diet does not exist.
Stop smoking to improve mental health.
Why are carbs bad for people who are insulin resistant?
Why is the skin on a face more sensitive to breakouts and touch than on any other part of the body?
Low carbohydrate vs. low-fat diets.

Science Topics

How has the earth’s climate changed in the past few decades?
What are the pros and cons of fracking?
Should the US rely on nuclear energy more?
How are black holes created?
Why is “dark matter” important?
Is global warming a hoax? Is it being exaggerated?
What are the main sources of marine pollution?
Endangered species – How can we preserve them?
What did you do to make the world a better place?
What have NASA’s biggest successes and failures been?

Psychology Topics

What Are Psychological Effects of Technology Addiction?
What Causes Eating Disorders?
How Do Certain People Become Leaders?
How Important Is Love for the Child’s Development?
How Does Lack of Sleep Affect Our Mental Health?
Insomnia and its Effects on Human Health.
Physical and Mental Violence on Children and Domestic Abuse.
How dangerous are eating disorders?
Post-traumatic stress syndrome.
What causes depression?

Ethics Topics

How and why have divorce rates changed over time?
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?
Importance of following ethics in psychological research.

Social Media Topics

Are social networks making us lonely and unsociable?
How to protect children online?
Is there such a thing as social media addiction?
Who are world-famous influencers on social media?
Does social media affect our relationships?
Are teens who spend more time on social media more likely to suffer anxiety and/or depression?
Has social media made people more or less connected?
How does social media influence interpersonal communication?
How can one defend privacy issues on Facebook and other social media?
Impacts of social media on youth.

Legal Issues Topics

Should marijuana be legalized at the national level?
Should there be a law preventing cyber-bullying?
What can be done to improve family law?
What countries have the worst legal systems?
What countries have the best legal systems?
What are the main flaws of the legal system in the USA?
Does police brutality contribute to the onset of hate crimes?
Why should the minimum legal drinking age be kept at eighteen years?
Does drug legalization contribute to the increased crime rate?
How do torrenting sites influence creativity and copyright?

Technology Topics

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?
What are some advances in technology related to medicine?
Can everything be solar powered?
How is text messaging affecting teen literacy?
How can technology help in preventing terrorist attacks?

Government Topics

Several states have legalized recreational marijuana. What positive and negative impacts have they experienced as a result?
Has the increase in US airport security made passengers safer?
Should the federal government be allowed to regulate information on the internet?
Should the United States of America reform its Immigration policies?
Which prison reforms have proven most effective?

Education Topics

Do students from wealthier backgrounds score higher on standardized tests?
How does giving each student access to an iPad or laptop affect their studies?
Do children who attend preschool do better in school later on?
What impact does mandatory physical education classes have on students’ health?
Which methods are most effective at reducing bullying in schools?
How does college debt affect future life choices of students?
E-Learning at home VS traditional education.
The Effectiveness and Flaws of the No Child Left Behind Act.
General tests and their effectiveness in various institutions.
How to encourage students to study what they are passionate about?

Business Topics

How has business etiquette changed in the past few years?
Features that define a true business leader.
Things that make young startups fail during the first couple of years.
Does franchising make it easier to run a business?
Pros & cons of outsourcing services.

Sports Topics

Importance of physical exercise in school.
Is cheerleading a sport?
Do sports influence an individual’s emotional well-being?
Safest exercises for students with disabilities.
Collaboration on a sports field. What is the most effective communication strategy among sports team members?
Differences in the Italian Renaissance and Northern Renaissance.
Impacts famous artists had on the world.
The art of Ancient Egypt.
Censorship in art.
Analyze the impact a famous artist had on the world.

Entertainment Topics

Are violent video games really to blame for problems in children’s behavior?
Are beauty contests making beauty standards even more unachievable?
Are modern media gradually replacing newspapers?
Reasons why we cannot do without the mass media.
Compare and contrast the benefits of mass media to society.
How have shows like “Project Runway” influenced fashion? Have they motivated people to become more creative and personal in what they wear?
Are newspapers going extinct?
Do TV shows impose unreal moral standards?
Women competing against men: is it really fair?
How fake moral standards are imposed by television

Current Events Topics

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?
Is the U.S. economy becoming stronger or weaker?
Is there a better way to fight the war against drugs internationally?
Can Bitcoin really become the currency of the future in America?
Preventing police brutality: history and what citizens can do.
History of the electoral college system of voting.

History Topics

What events led to the fall of the Roman Empire?
Was the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki necessary?
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 Factors Caused the Stock Market Crash in 1929?
What Were the Social Consequences of the Vietnam War?
What Is the Role of Women in the Military?

Physics and Astronomy Topics

What Is Pluto if It’s not a Planet?
Can We Determine How Old the Universe Is?
What Are Dark Holes?
Could People Survive on Mars?
Is Space Exploration Really Necessary?
Can We Prevent a Large Comet from Striking the Earth?
What are the physics behind the creation of rainbows?
The importance of robots in industries.
The evolution of the self-driving car and its impact on the economy.
The role of physics in the healthcare industry.

Animals Topics

Do animals express love?
Is animal testing a kind of animal cruelty?
Should environments be protected if endangered species live there?
How have humans bred domestic animals to be different from their original wild counterparts?
What is the current genetic and fossil evidence that chickens, dogs, and other domestic animals were much different even a few hundred years ago?

Medical Topics

The use of medical marijuana: pros and cons
Is it safe for children to be vegetarians?
How the society views on vaccines change
Can pharmaceutical companies advertise prescription drugs directly to buyers?
The role of doctors in the growing nation’s drug addiction
How many treatments to Autism are there?
How is ageism impacting mental health and addictions?
What are the pros and cons of antipsychotics?
Should alternative medicine be legalized?
Is the relationship between the FDA and the pharmaceutical industry a good one?

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Jay Willis joined Mometrix as Vice President of Sales in 2009, and has developed several key strategic relationships that have enhanced the distribution of Mometrix products. With nearly 20 years of sales experience in the publishing industry, his dedication to providing the highest quality experience for customers, coupled with his sales and marketing expertise, has resulted in significant growth of the Institutional Sales division. Learn more View all posts by Jay Willis

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100 Interesting Research Paper Topics for High Schoolers

What’s covered:, how to pick the right research topic, elements of a strong research paper.

Interesting Research Paper Topics

Composing a research paper can be a daunting task for first-time writers. In addition to making sure you’re using concise language and your thoughts are organized clearly, you need to find a topic that draws the reader in.

CollegeVine is here to help you brainstorm creative topics! Below are 100 interesting research paper topics that will help you engage with your project and keep you motivated until you’ve typed the final period.

A research paper is similar to an academic essay but more lengthy and requires more research. This added length and depth is bittersweet: although a research paper is more work, you can create a more nuanced argument, and learn more about your topic. Research papers are a demonstration of your research ability and your ability to formulate a convincing argument. How well you’re able to engage with the sources and make original contributions will determine the strength of your paper.

You can’t have a good research paper without a good research paper topic. “Good” is subjective, and different students will find different topics interesting. What’s important is that you find a topic that makes you want to find out more and make a convincing argument. Maybe you’ll be so interested that you’ll want to take it further and investigate some detail in even greater depth!

For example, last year over 4000 students applied for 500 spots in the Lumiere Research Scholar Program , a rigorous research program founded by Harvard researchers. The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project . The program actually does not require you to have a research topic in mind when you apply, but pro tip: the more specific you can be the more likely you are to get in!

Introduction

The introduction to a research paper serves two critical functions: it conveys the topic of the paper and illustrates how you will address it. A strong introduction will also pique the interest of the reader and make them excited to read more. Selecting a research paper topic that is meaningful, interesting, and fascinates you is an excellent first step toward creating an engaging paper that people will want to read.

Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is technically part of the introduction—generally the last sentence of it—but is so important that it merits a section of its own. The thesis statement is a declarative sentence that tells the reader what the paper is about. A strong thesis statement serves three purposes: present the topic of the paper, deliver a clear opinion on the topic, and summarize the points the paper will cover.

An example of a good thesis statement of diversity in the workforce is:

Diversity in the workplace is not just a moral imperative but also a strategic advantage for businesses, as it fosters innovation, enhances creativity, improves decision-making, and enables companies to better understand and connect with a diverse customer base.

The body is the largest section of a research paper. It’s here where you support your thesis, present your facts and research, and persuade the reader.

Each paragraph in the body of a research paper should have its own idea. The idea is presented, generally in the first sentence of the paragraph, by a topic sentence. The topic sentence acts similarly to the thesis statement, only on a smaller scale, and every sentence in the paragraph with it supports the idea it conveys.

An example of a topic sentence on how diversity in the workplace fosters innovation is:

Diversity in the workplace fosters innovation by bringing together individuals with different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, which stimulates creativity, encourages new ideas, and leads to the development of innovative solutions to complex problems.

The body of an engaging research paper flows smoothly from one idea to the next. Create an outline before writing and order your ideas so that each idea logically leads to another.

The conclusion of a research paper should summarize your thesis and reinforce your argument. It’s common to restate the thesis in the conclusion of a research paper.

For example, a conclusion for a paper about diversity in the workforce is:

In conclusion, diversity in the workplace is vital to success in the modern business world. By embracing diversity, companies can tap into the full potential of their workforce, promote creativity and innovation, and better connect with a diverse customer base, ultimately leading to greater success and a more prosperous future for all.

Reference Page

The reference page is normally found at the end of a research paper. It provides proof that you did research using credible sources, properly credits the originators of information, and prevents plagiarism.

There are a number of different formats of reference pages, including APA, MLA, and Chicago. Make sure to format your reference page in your teacher’s preferred style.

Analyze the benefits of diversity in education.
Are charter schools useful for the national education system?
How has modern technology changed teaching?
Discuss the pros and cons of standardized testing.
What are the benefits of a gap year between high school and college?
What funding allocations give the most benefit to students?
Does homeschooling set students up for success?
Should universities/high schools require students to be vaccinated?
What effect does rising college tuition have on high schoolers?
Do students perform better in same-sex schools?
Discuss and analyze the impacts of a famous musician on pop music.
How has pop music evolved over the past decade?
How has the portrayal of women in music changed in the media over the past decade?
How does a synthesizer work?
How has music evolved to feature different instruments/voices?
How has sound effect technology changed the music industry?
Analyze the benefits of music education in high schools.
Are rehabilitation centers more effective than prisons?
Are congestion taxes useful?
Does affirmative action help minorities?
Can a capitalist system effectively reduce inequality?
Is a three-branch government system effective?
What causes polarization in today’s politics?
Is the U.S. government racially unbiased?
Choose a historical invention and discuss its impact on society today.
Choose a famous historical leader who lost power—what led to their eventual downfall?
How has your country evolved over the past century?
What historical event has had the largest effect on the U.S.?
Has the government’s response to national disasters improved or declined throughout history?
Discuss the history of the American occupation of Iraq.
Explain the history of the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Is literature relevant in modern society?
Discuss how fiction can be used for propaganda.
How does literature teach and inform about society?
Explain the influence of children’s literature on adulthood.
How has literature addressed homosexuality?
Does the media portray minorities realistically?
Does the media reinforce stereotypes?
Why have podcasts become so popular?
Will streaming end traditional television?
What is a patriot?
What are the pros and cons of global citizenship?
What are the causes and effects of bullying?
Why has the divorce rate in the U.S. been declining in recent years?
Is it more important to follow social norms or religion?
What are the responsible limits on abortion, if any?
How does an MRI machine work?
Would the U.S. benefit from socialized healthcare?
Elderly populations
The education system
State tax bases
How do anti-vaxxers affect the health of the country?
Analyze the costs and benefits of diet culture.
Should companies allow employees to exercise on company time?
What is an adequate amount of exercise for an adult per week/per month/per day?
Discuss the effects of the obesity epidemic on American society.
Are students smarter since the advent of the internet?
What departures has the internet made from its original design?
Has digital downloading helped the music industry?
Discuss the benefits and costs of stricter internet censorship.
Analyze the effects of the internet on the paper news industry.
What would happen if the internet went out?
How will artificial intelligence (AI) change our lives?
What are the pros and cons of cryptocurrency?
How has social media affected the way people relate with each other?
Should social media have an age restriction?
Discuss the importance of source software.
What is more relevant in today’s world: mobile apps or websites?
How will fully autonomous vehicles change our lives?
How is text messaging affecting teen literacy?

Mental Health

What are the benefits of daily exercise?
How has social media affected people’s mental health?
What things contribute to poor mental and physical health?
Analyze how mental health is talked about in pop culture.
Discuss the pros and cons of more counselors in high schools.
How does stress affect the body?
How do emotional support animals help people?
What are black holes?
Discuss the biggest successes and failures of the EPA.
How has the Flint water crisis affected life in Michigan?
Can science help save endangered species?
Is the development of an anti-cancer vaccine possible?

Environment

What are the effects of deforestation on climate change?
Is climate change reversible?
How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect global warming and climate change?
Are carbon credits effective for offsetting emissions or just marketing?
Is nuclear power a safe alternative to fossil fuels?
Are hybrid vehicles helping to control pollution in the atmosphere?
How is plastic waste harming the environment?
Is entrepreneurism a trait people are born with or something they learn?
How much more should CEOs make than their average employee?
Can you start a business without money?
Should the U.S. raise the minimum wage?
Discuss how happy employees benefit businesses.
How important is branding for a business?
Discuss the ease, or difficulty, of landing a job today.
What is the economic impact of sporting events?
Are professional athletes overpaid?
Should male and female athletes receive equal pay?
What is a fair and equitable way for transgender athletes to compete in high school sports?
What are the benefits of playing team sports?
What is the most corrupt professional sport?

Where to Get More Research Paper Topic Ideas

If you need more help brainstorming topics, especially those that are personalized to your interests, you can use CollegeVine’s free AI tutor, Ivy . Ivy can help you come up with original research topic ideas, and she can also help with the rest of your homework, from math to languages.

Disclaimer: This post includes content sponsored by Lumiere Education.

Writing and Research: Choosing a Topic

Getting Started
Choosing a Topic
Creating an Outline
Conducting Research
Drafting an Essay
Revising an Essay
Creating Citations

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Using Wikipedia to Generate Topic Ideas

Wikipedia Although it's generally not acceptable to cite Wikipedia as a source in your paper, it's a great tool for exploring topic ideas and gathering search terms.

Additional Resources on Choosing Topics

Selecting a Research Topic MIT Libraries covers the basics of selecting a research topic.

Choosing a Research Topic Grinnell College Library offers in-depth advice for choosing, narrowing, and/or broadening research topics.

401 Prompts for Argumentative Writing The New York Times features 401 ideas for research questions based on an array of contemporary issues.

How to Generate Topic Ideas for Research Papers This article offers tips for generating research topic ideas.

Research Proposals

How to Write a Research Proposal This guide covers the components of a research proposal and how to write one.

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How to Write a Research Paper

Mastering the Art of Research Paper Writing: A Comprehensive Guide

Undergrads often write research papers each semester, causing stress. Yet, it’s simpler than believing if you know how to write a research paper . Divide the task, get tips, a plan, and tools for an outstanding paper. Simplify research, writing, topic choice, and illustration use!

A research paper is an academic document that involves deep, independent research to offer analysis, interpretation, and argument. Unlike academic essays, research papers are lengthier and more detailed, aiming to evaluate your writing and scholarly research abilities. To write one, you must showcase expertise in your subject, interact with diverse sources, and provide a unique perspective to the discussion.

Research papers are a foundational element of contemporary science and the most efficient means of disseminating knowledge throughout a broad network. Nonetheless, individuals usually encounter research papers during their education; they are frequently employed in college courses to assess a student’s grasp of a specific field or their aptitude for research.

Given their significance, research papers adopt a research paper format – a formal, unadorned style that eliminates any subjective influence from the writing. Scientists present their discoveries straightforwardly, accompanied by relevant supporting proof, enabling other researchers to integrate the paper into their investigations.

This guide leads you through every steps to write a research paper , from grasping your task to refining your ultimate draft and will teach you how to write a research paper.

Understanding The Research Paper

A research paper is a meticulously structured document that showcases the outcomes of an inquiry, exploration, or scrutiny undertaken on a specific subject. It embodies a formal piece of academic prose that adds novel information, perspectives, or interpretations to a particular domain of study. Typically authored by scholars, researchers, scientists, or students as part of their academic or professional pursuits, these papers adhere to a well-defined format. This research paper format encompasses an introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion.

The introduction provides context and outlines the study’s significance, while the literature review encapsulates existing research and situates the study within the broader academic discourse. The methodology section elucidates the research process, encompassing data collection and analysis techniques. Findings are presented in the results section, often complemented by graphical and statistical representations. Interpretation of findings, implications, and connection to existing knowledge transpire in the discussion section.

Ultimately, the conclusion encapsulates pivotal discoveries and their wider import.

Research papers wield immense significance in advancing knowledge across diverse disciplines, enabling researchers to disseminate findings, theories, and revelations to a broader audience. Before publication in academic journals or presentations at conferences, these papers undergo a stringent peer review process conducted by domain experts, ensuring their integrity, precision, and worth.

Academic and non-academic research papers diverge across several dimensions. Academic papers are crafted for scholarly circles to expand domain knowledge and theories. They maintain a formal, objective tone and heavily rely on peer-reviewed sources for credibility. In contrast, non-academic papers, employing a more flexible writing style, target a broader audience or specific practical goals. These papers might incorporate persuasive language, anecdotes, and various sources beyond academia. While academic papers rigorously adhere to structured formats and established citation styles, non-academic papers prioritize practicality, adapting their structure and citation methods to suit the intended readership.

The purpose of a research paper revolves around offering fresh insights, knowledge, or interpretations within a specific field. This formal document serves as a conduit for scholars, researchers, scientists, and students to communicate their investigative findings and actively contribute to the ongoing academic discourse.

Research Paper Writing Process – How To Write a Good Research Paper

Selecting a suitable research topic .

Your initial task is to thoroughly review the assignment and carefully absorb the writing prompt’s details. Pay particular attention to technical specifications like length, formatting prerequisites (such as single- vs. double-spacing, indentation, etc.), and the required citation style. Also, pay attention to specifics, including an abstract or a cover page.

Once you’ve a clear understanding of the assignment, the subsequent steps to write a research paper are aligned with the conventional writing process. However, remember that research papers have rules, adding some extra considerations to the process.

When given some assignment freedom, the crucial task of choosing a topic rests on you. Despite its apparent simplicity, this choice sets the foundation for your entire research paper, shaping its direction. The primary factor in picking a research paper topic is ensuring it has enough material to support it. Your chosen topic should provide ample data and complexity for a thorough discussion. However, it’s important to avoid overly broad subjects and focus on specific ones that cover all relevant information without gaps. Yet, approach topic selection more slowly; choosing something that genuinely interests you is still valuable. Aim for a topic that meets both criteria—delivering substantial content while maintaining engagement.

Conducting Thorough Research

Commence by delving into your research early to refine your topic and shape your thesis statement. Swift engagement with available research aids in dispelling misconceptions and unveils optimal paths and strategies to gather more material. Typically, research sources can be located either online or within libraries. When navigating online sources, exercise caution and opt for reputable outlets such as scientific journals or academic papers. Specific search engines, outlined below in the Tools and Resources section, exclusively enable exploring accredited sources and academic databases.

While pursuing information, it’s essential to differentiate between primary and secondary sources. Primary sources entail firsthand accounts, encompassing published articles or autobiographies, while secondary sources, such as critical reviews or secondary biographies, are more distanced. Skimming sources instead of reading each part proves more efficient during the research phase. If a source shows promise, set it aside for more in-depth reading later. Doing so prevents you from investing excessive time in sources that won’t contribute substantively to your work. You should present a literature review detailing your references and submit them for validation in certain instances.

Organizing And Structuring The Research Paper

According to the research paper format , an outline for a research paper is a catalogue of essential topics, arguments, and evidence you intend to incorporate. These elements are divided into sections with headings, offering a preliminary overview of the paper’s structure before commencing the writing process. Formulating a structural outline can significantly enhance writing efficiency, warranting an investment of time to establish one.

Start by generating a list encompassing crucial categories and subtopics—a preliminary outline. Reflect on the amassed information while gathering supporting evidence, pondering the most effective means of segregation and categorization.

Once a discussion list is compiled, deliberate on the optimal information presentation sequence and identify related subtopics that should be placed adjacent. Consider if any subtopic loses coherence when presented out of order. Adopting a chronological arrangement can be suitable if the information follows a straightforward trajectory.

Given the potential complexity of research papers, consider breaking down the outline into paragraphs. This aids in maintaining organization when dealing with copious information and provides better control over the paper’s progression. Rectifying structural issues during the outline phase is preferable to addressing them after writing.

Remember to incorporate supporting evidence within the outline. Since there’s likely a substantial amount to include, outlining helps prevent overlooking crucial elements.

Writing The Introduction

According to the research paper format , the introduction of a research paper must address three fundamental inquiries: What, why, and how? Upon completing the introduction, the reader should clearly understand the paper’s subject matter, its relevance, and the approach you’ll use to construct your arguments.

What? Offer precise details regarding the paper’s topic, provide context, and elucidate essential terminology or concepts.

Why? This constitutes the most crucial yet challenging aspect of the introduction. Endeavour to furnish concise responses to the subsequent queries: What novel information or insights do you present? Which significant matters does your essay assist in defining or resolving?

How? To provide the reader with a preview of the paper’s forthcoming content, the introduction should incorporate a “guide” outlining the upcoming discussions. This entails briefly outlining the paper’s principal components in chronological sequence.

Developing The Main Body

One of the primary challenges that many writers grapple with is effectively organizing the wealth of information they wish to present in their papers. This is precisely why an outline can be an invaluable tool. However, it’s essential to recognize that while an outline provides a roadmap, the writing process allows flexibility in determining the order in which information and arguments are introduced.

Maintaining cohesiveness throughout the paper involves anchoring your writing to the thesis statement and topic sentences. Here’s how to ensure a well-structured paper:

Alignment with Thesis Statement: Regularly assess whether your topic sentences correspond with the central thesis statement. This ensures that your arguments remain on track and directly contribute to the overarching message you intend to convey.
Consistency and Logical Flow: Review your topic sentences concerning one another. Do they follow a logical order that guides the reader through a coherent narrative? Ensuring a seamless flow from one topic to another helps maintain engagement and comprehension.
Supporting Sentence Alignment: Each sentence within a paragraph should align with the topic sentence of that paragraph. This alignment reinforces the central idea, preventing tangential or disjointed discussions.

Additionally, identify paragraphs that cover similar content. While some overlap might be inevitable, it’s essential to approach shared topics from different angles, offering fresh insights and perspectives. Creating these nuanced differences helps present a well-rounded exploration of the subject matter.

An often-overlooked aspect of effective organization is the art of crafting smooth transitions. Transitions between sentences, paragraphs, and larger sections are the glue that holds your paper together. They guide the reader through the progression of ideas, enhancing clarity and creating a seamless reading experience.

Ultimately, while the struggle to organize information is accurate, employing these strategies not only aids in addressing the challenge but also contributes to the overall quality and impact of your writing.

Crafting A Strong Conclusion

The purpose of the research paper’s conclusion is to guide your reader out of the realm of the paper’s argument, leaving them with a sense of closure.

Trace the paper’s trajectory, underscoring how all the elements converge to validate your thesis statement. Impart a sense of completion by ensuring the reader comprehends the resolution of the issues introduced in the paper’s introduction.

In addition, you can explore the broader implications of your argument, outline your paper’s contributions to future students studying the subject, and propose questions that your argument raises—ones that might not be addressed in the paper itself. However, it’s important to avoid:

Introducing new arguments or crucial information that wasn’t covered earlier.
Extending the conclusion unnecessarily.
Employing common phrases that signal the decision (e.g., “In conclusion”).

By adhering to these guidelines, your conclusion can serve as a fitting and impactful conclusion to your research paper, leaving a lasting impression on your readers.

Refining The Research Paper

Editing And Proofreading

Eliminate unnecessary verbiage and extraneous content. In tandem with the comprehensive structure of your paper, focus on individual words, ensuring your language is robust. Verify the utilization of active voice rather than passive voice, and confirm that your word selection is precise and tangible.

The passive voice, exemplified by phrases like “I opened the door,” tends to convey hesitation and verbosity. In contrast, the active voice, as in “I opened the door,” imparts strength and brevity.

Each word employed in your paper should serve a distinct purpose. Strive to eschew the inclusion of surplus words solely to occupy space or exhibit sophistication.

For instance, the statement “The author uses pathos to appeal to readers’ emotions” is superior to the alternative “The author utilizes pathos to appeal to the emotional core of those who read the passage.”

Engage in thorough proofreading to rectify spelling, grammatical, and formatting inconsistencies. Once you’ve refined the structure and content of your paper, address any typographical and grammatical inaccuracies. Taking a break from your paper before proofreading can offer a new perspective.

Enhance error detection by reading your essay aloud. This not only aids in identifying mistakes but also assists in evaluating the flow. If you encounter sections that seem awkward during this reading, consider making necessary adjustments to enhance the overall coherence.

Formatting And Referencing

Citations are pivotal in distinguishing research papers from informal nonfiction pieces like personal essays. They serve the dual purpose of substantiating your data and establishing a connection between your research paper and the broader scientific community. Given their significance, citations are subject to precise formatting regulations; however, the challenge lies in the existence of multiple sets of rules.

It’s crucial to consult the assignment’s instructions to determine the required formatting style. Generally, academic research papers adhere to either of two formatting styles for source citations:

MLA (Modern Language Association)
APA (American Psychological Association)

Moreover, aside from MLA and APA styles, occasional demands might call for adherence to CMOS (The Chicago Manual of Style), AMA (American Medical Association), and IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) formats.

Initially, citations might appear intricate due to their numerous regulations and specific details. However, once you become adept at them, citing sources accurately becomes almost second nature. It’s important to note that each formatting style provides detailed guidelines for citing various sources, including photographs, websites, speeches, and YouTube videos.

Tips For Writing An Effective Research Paper

By following these research paper writing tips , you’ll be well-equipped to create a well-structured, well-researched, and impactful research paper:

Select a Clear and Manageable Topic: Choose a topic that is specific and focused enough to be thoroughly explored within the scope of your paper.
Conduct In-Depth Research: Gather information from reputable sources such as academic journals, books, and credible websites. Take thorough notes to keep track of your sources.
Create a Strong Thesis Statement: Craft a clear and concise thesis statement that outlines the main argument or purpose of your paper.
Develop a Well-Structured Outline: Organize your ideas into a logical order by creating an outline that outlines the main sections and their supporting points.
Compose a Captivating Introduction: Hook the reader with an engaging introduction that provides background information and introduces the thesis statement.
Provide Clear and Relevant Evidence: Support your arguments with reliable and relevant evidence, such as statistics, examples, and expert opinions.
Maintain Consistent Tone and Style: Keep a consistent tone and writing style throughout the paper, adhering to the formatting guidelines of your chosen citation style.
Craft Coherent Paragraphs: Each paragraph should focus on a single idea or point, and transitions should smoothly guide the reader from one idea to the next.
Use Active Voice: Write in the active voice to make your writing more direct and engaging.
Revise and Edit Thoroughly: Proofread your paper for grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and sentence structure. Revise for clarity and coherence.
Seek Peer Feedback: Have a peer or instructor review your paper for feedback and suggestions.
Cite Sources Properly: Accurately cite all sources using the required citation style (e.g., MLA, APA) to avoid plagiarism and give credit to original authors.
Be Concise and Avoid Redundancy: Strive for clarity by eliminating unnecessary words and redundancies.
Conclude Effectively: Summarize your main points and restate your thesis in the conclusion. Provide a sense of closure without introducing new ideas.
Stay Organized: Keep track of your sources, notes, and drafts to ensure a structured and organized approach to the writing process.
Proofread with Fresh Eyes: Take a break before final proofreading to review your paper with a fresh perspective, helping you catch any overlooked errors.
Edit for Clarity: Ensure that your ideas are conveyed clearly and that your arguments are easy to follow.
Ask for Feedback: Don’t hesitate to ask for feedback from peers, instructors, or writing centers to improve your paper further.

In conclusion, we’ve explored the essential steps to write a research paper . From selecting a focused topic to mastering the intricacies of citations, we’ve navigated through the key elements of this process.

It’s vital to recognize that adhering to the research paper writing tips is not merely a suggestion, but a roadmap to success. Each stage contributes to the overall quality and impact of your paper. By meticulously following these steps, you ensure a robust foundation for your research, bolster your arguments, and present your findings with clarity and conviction.

As you embark on your own research paper journey, I urge you to put into practice the techniques and insights shared in this guide. Don’t shy away from investing time in organization, thorough research, and precise writing. Embrace the challenge, for it’s through this process that your ideas take shape and your voice is heard within the academic discourse.

Remember, every exceptional research paper begins with a single step. And with each step you take, your ability to articulate complex ideas and contribute to your field of study grows. So, go ahead – apply these tips, refine your skills, and witness your research papers evolve into compelling narratives that inspire, inform, and captivate.

In the grand tapestry of academia, your research paper becomes a thread of insight, woven into the larger narrative of human knowledge. By embracing the writing process and nurturing your unique perspective, you become an integral part of this ever-expanding tapestry.

Happy writing, and may your research papers shine brightly, leaving a lasting mark on both your readers and the world of scholarship.

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Steps To Write A Great Research Paper

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Selecting a Research Topic: Overview

Refine your topic
Background information & facts
Writing help

Here are some resources to refer to when selecting a topic and preparing to write a paper:

MIT Writing and Communication Center "Providing free professional advice about all types of writing and speaking to all members of the MIT community."
Search Our Collections Find books about writing. Search by subject for: english language grammar; report writing handbooks; technical writing handbooks
Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation Online version of the book that provides examples and tips on grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and other writing rules.
Select a topic

Choosing an interesting research topic is your first challenge. Here are some tips:

Choose a topic that you are interested in! The research process is more relevant if you care about your topic.
If your topic is too broad, you will find too much information and not be able to focus.
Background reading can help you choose and limit the scope of your topic.
Review the guidelines on topic selection outlined in your assignment. Ask your professor or TA for suggestions.
Refer to lecture notes and required texts to refresh your knowledge of the course and assignment.
Talk about research ideas with a friend. S/he may be able to help focus your topic by discussing issues that didn't occur to you at first.
WHY did you choose the topic? What interests you about it? Do you have an opinion about the issues involved?
WHO are the information providers on this topic? Who might publish information about it? Who is affected by the topic? Do you know of organizations or institutions affiliated with the topic?
WHAT are the major questions for this topic? Is there a debate about the topic? Are there a range of issues and viewpoints to consider?
WHERE is your topic important: at the local, national or international level? Are there specific places affected by the topic?
WHEN is/was your topic important? Is it a current event or an historical issue? Do you want to compare your topic by time periods?

Broaden your topic
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A List of 580 Interesting Research Topics [2024 Edition]

In school and college, you will be required to write research papers. Yes — papers in the plural. And that’s the first reason you may want to turn to Custom Writing and seek help with research projects.

Our specialists will write a custom essay specially for you!

When assigned a paper, the very first undertaking is to choose from a list of research topics. This is a daunting, even intimidating task, one that many people would prefer to circumvent altogether.

The good thing is:

There are hundreds of exciting and fun research topics for high school or college students from which to choose. With a variety of options, you are likely to find some interesting things to research. When you have good ideas and help available, this task becomes less threatening and more engaging.

But first: Let’s verify you have a complete comprehension of what writing a research paper entails. After all, you can’t be creative with an idea if you don’t know how to write about it. Then, you’ll find numerous interesting research topics for your work.

🔝 Top 10 Research Topics

❓ What Is a Research Paper?

✍️ How to Find Topics to Write About

⭐ A List of Research Topics

💻 IT Topics
🏺 History Topics
🧠 Psychology Topics
🎓 Education Topics
📺 Cultural Topics
🗣️ Topics for an Argumentative Essays

🔬 Science Research Topics

💉 health topics for research papers.

👔 Business Research Topics
📚 Literature Topics
🗳️ Political Topics

😂 Fun Research Topics

👥 Sociology Research Papers

🎯 Specific Research Proposal Topics

👩‍⚕️ Nursing Research Papers
🎨 Art Topics
🎼 Music Topics
✍️ Creative Writing Topics
🎈 Other Topics

🔝 Top 10 Research Topics for 2024

Maintaining social bonds via music
Use of AI in robotics
Narcissistic personality disorder: genetic factors
Mental effects of remote work
Use of infrared detectors in alarm systems
Cosmological simulations and machine learning
Achieving climate-positive agriculture
Emerging infectious diseases: detection and prevention
Technology-enhanced education in the post-COVID era
Disability inclusion in the workplace

If you aren’t clear on what a research paper is, then you won’t get very far when writing one. A research paper is just as its name suggests — a form of academic writing that necessitates the independent investigation of a specified topic and reports the unique results of that investigation.

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Suny Empire State College provides a great and exhaustive explanation of what a research paper is.

In order to write a paper, you are required to formulate a research question. This is a question associated with your topic that acts as a guide during your research, enabling you to focus and provide unique arguments.

Before you can produce a research question, you have to choose from countless research topics available. Another useful thing to do would be checking out free sample research papers . With that in mind, let’s examine how you can discover some unique research paper topics.

✍️ How to Find Research Topics to Write About

The choice of a research paper topic can be influenced by a number of factors, including:

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The course for which the paper is assigned
Whether there is a topic assigned to you by the professor
Whether you are given a broad-spectrum subject area
How much freedom you are given to branch out and select a topic

Hopefully, you have been given some freedom of choice regarding academic paper topics. However, if you do have some choice in the matter, you might be speculating about how to narrow it down.

You are in luck!

There are a number of ways to effectively comb through the abundance of research paper topics and discover one that will work well for you. Here are some suggestions:

Ask your professor. Chances are your professor has some fabulous research paper ideas. You can also inquire with other university staff and graduate students for ideas. These people know your discipline well, which can work to your advantage.
Browse through scientific journals and research papers , but be sure to adhere to the most recent research possible. You will definitely find interesting ideas in published papers that would make great research paper topics.
Investigate other professional and government publications for research project ideas. Again, keep to the most recent publications within the last three to five years, if possible.
Browse through your library catalog to uncover the most interesting areas of study in your field.
Take notes everywhere you go! It doesn’t matter if you are in class listening to your professor, traveling, reading a magazine, or watching TV. Research paper ideas are absolutely everywhere! Write things down whenever you come across something unique and interesting, and you just might find a topic to pursue.

When it comes down to it, deciding on one of the many academic essay topics is the most substantial step of the process.

Once you have that narrowed down, you can focus your research and write a remarkable paper. Now, we want to give you some help. What follows is an extensive list of the most interesting research topics to get you started.

Get an originally-written paper according to your instructions!

Now that you have a good idea of how to search for college research paper topics, you are ready for some suggestions. You might like one of them right off the bat, or you might be inspired by a particular topic and write something related to it.

Want to know the best part?

By the time you are finished reading this academic topics list, you will feel much more equipped for writing your research paper. For even better result, have a brainstorming session with a research topic generator to introduce a bigger variety of options.

💻 IT Research Paper Topics

Perhaps some of the best college research topics these days are in the IT field. Explore one of these interesting ideas in your paper:

Has big data changed our lives for the better? Big data is a trendy study subject. Large IT companies use it for purposes such as advertising and logistics. However, it has also raised substantial privacy concerns over non-consensual data gathering. Are the benefits companies get by collecting your data worth them learning everything about you?
Neural networks are algorithms that can learn to solve problems. Both their name and method of learning are derived from how the human brain works. Can neural networks lead to the creation of a true AI? If so, how soon?
The current state of cryptography and how it may develop. The entire Internet’s security relies on a relatively small number of ciphers. If they were to be broken, the potential damage would be immeasurable. How likely is that to happen? What challenges are we likely to face in the future?
The pros and cons of transitioning to cloud technologies. Cloud services are very convenient for various purposes. They might not work as fast as physical devices, but they are portable, cheap, and very convenient. Should humanity switch entirely to cloud services?
What issues does automation raise, and how can they be solved? Robots don’t get tired and work very precisely. That’s why automation is great for business. Many manufacturing companies rely on robots heavily in their production. However, robots in the workplace mean fewer jobs for humans. When most blue-collar positions disappear, what will humanity do?
Should we keep using multi-factor authentication?
Are big tech companies monopolistic in their behaviors?
Is remote work the future of office jobs employment?
The pros and cons of software ownership vs. subscription models.
Explore the evolution of wireless communication standards and their implications.
Describe the Internet of things and its effects on security .
The issues of IPv4 and the adoption of IPv6.
How do computers manage to generate random numbers?
The infrastructure and contingencies of the World Wide Web .
Are computers entirely unbiased in their treatment of people?
Procedures to enhance IT security
New methodologies and challenges to IT management in health
Interrelation, patterns, and existing theories on behavior and IT
Common services center vs. community multimedia center: selecting the correct variety of IT service
Racial and gender issues in the IT domain
Innovative theories regarding computer imitation of a human being
The impact of digitization of medical records on the IT domain

🏺 Topics for your Research Project on History

Human history is full of exciting events, and despite what you might believe, not all of them have been explored. There are many incredible history research topics, such as:

The history of the Chinese Empire over the millennia. The Chinese Empire is rarely discussed in history classes as much as its Western counterparts. However, it existed for over two millennia, only falling in 1912. Many curious events happened in that time that merit discussion.
The Ottoman Empire and the Barbary slave trade. The word “barbarian” comes from the Barbary Coast in Africa. It was infamous for its pirates, who raided European vessels for loot and slaves. Only ending in the 19th century, this phenomenon can make for an interesting case study.
The rise and fall of Ancient Greek city-states. Ancient Greece is often viewed as mostly monolithic and united against threats. In fact, it was comprised of numerous city-states that fought as much as they cooperated. Research the region’s fascinating and nuanced history.
The effects of the printing press on the world . The printing press was invented in 1440 AD by Johannes Gutenberg. Before it, each copy of a book had to be written by hand. It limited the literature’s availability dramatically. What effects did mass production of books have on Europe and the world?
The fracturing of Christianity: causes and effects. Since its inception, Christianity has gone through multiple schisms. Some of them were remarkably violent. As a result, there are now three main Christian churches and a multitude of lesser ones. Explore what caused believers to split apart into Orthodox Christians, Catholics, and Protestants.
The underlying causes of the World War I.
Provide a detailed history of the Hundred Years’ War and its results.
Holy Roman Empire: from successor to the Romans to a Nazi symbol.
Liberalism in national politics: emergence and evolution.
The history of the world as a series of conquests.
Were the Crusades motivated purely by religious devotion?
Why did Texas secede from Mexico to the United States?
Apartheid in South Africa and its heritage.
Centers of scientific activity throughout history.
How did China’s geography influence its history?
Palestine and the Golan Heights
Premises, progression, and consequences of the cold war
The most remarkable revolutions in history
Has Slavery transformed the development of the western world?
Could damage from the bubonic plague have been diminished?
Strange medieval family laws and their influence on society
Life in London in the 15th century
Religious cults in ancient societies

🧠 Psychology Research Paper Topics

Psychology has to offer plenty of interesting ideas for you to research. Just look through the discoveries made over the past decades, and you can understand that the human mind holds as many mysteries as the deep ocean.

It is why we would like to suggest a list of great experimental research topics in psychology. The science of human behavior is even more exciting when you can try your theories on practice.

If you still can’t decide on the topic for your research paper or thesis, just look through this collection of compelling proposals to give yourself an inspirational boost.

What is the correlation between personality and taste in literature? It’s obvious that people with similar interests get in groups. Does it mean that they have similar personalities, though?
Conformity in college and high school: a scientific approach. Check how your course mates tend to agree with others and don’t forget to write it down!
Do men and women have different short-term memory mechanisms? It’s quite easy to conduct an experiment, but be careful approaching it in terms of gender issues.
Optical illusions from the perspective of people with creativity skills. What if people who tend to be artistic and creative can see something in the common optical illusions that others can’t?
The gut feeling: how do you feel when others stare at you? Some studies showed that you are more likely to wake up in the night because someone is staring at you. It’s creepy, though…
Tricking the taste buds: how does smell affect the taste? How much can the smell of an onion confuse your sense of taste while you are eating an apple?
What is the Stroop Effect, and how does age influence it? Check whether the age of the participants influences their ability to name the colors.
Does having a symmetrical face make us seem more attractive? It is very rare that someone has perfectly identical left and right sides of the face. But how noticeable is it?
Analyze the capacity of the short-term memory of your peers. The easiest way is to measure it by memorizing words and comparing the numbers later.
Do people eat more popcorn when watching movies of a specific genre? Chewing something is almost a must-do in the cinema. But what type of movies triggers this behavior more than others?
What signs of social media addiction are noticeable in public? Spend some time in the local coffee shop, watching people on their phones, and note any signs of addiction they show.
The psychological effects of having breakfast: learning performance. Check if your course mates who have breakfast are more successful in learning than those who don’t.
Music vs. body: how does your body respond? Measure different biomarkers while listening to different types of music. Maybe you’ll find perfect motivational beats!
What color should your room be to improve your learning outcome? Blue is more calming than red, which is often used in sports halls. But what about boosting your learning abilities?
Favorite color as a result of childhood attraction. Try to trace the childhood memories of your friends. Maybe their favorite color is pink because they had pink walls in their room.
Biomarkers and colors: what is the correlation? Check how seeing different colors can stimulate specific responses from the body, for example, in heart rate.
Colors and mood: can the color of your bedsheets make your day? The first thing you see in the morning is quite important. How would a specific color affect your mood?
What is the correlation between stress levels and procrastination? There is a relation for sure, but does procrastination cause stress or the other way around?
How much can we trust the long-term memory ? Ask people to tell you about some random event from their past. Then, ask them to do the same later. Do the stories match?
Negative influences of sleep deprivation on social behavior. Track some students’ behavior when they don’t get enough sleep and see how it affects their relationship with others.
The origin of phobias and fears: engaging the monster within
Dreams : are they messages from within?
Mechanisms of thinking: it’s all in your head
Factors that influence behavior and character
Mechanisms of aggravating habits
The function of short- and long-term memory

Differences between long term short term and working memory.

Why people yearn for their past
What entices people to amass the most preposterous things?
Is autism a disease or a natural variation of the norm?
The impact and outcomes of social networks and mental health
How memory works: recalling the essential
How depression impacts the immune system

American psychiatric association Definition of depression.

A phenomenon-oriented approach to the study of depression
How to manage post-traumatic stress disorder in children
Depression as a cause of celiac disease
Fighting depression with techniques to relieve anxiety
The consequences of depression and relationship problems
Eating behaviors in different cultures
How behavioral patterns develop
How to forecast and shape behavioral patterns
Differences and similarities in the behavioral patterns of diverse cultures
Is there a genetic link to optimism that can shape behaviors and attitudes?
The causes and consequences of insomnia
How to combat child violence

Violence in the lives of children report.

How defense mechanisms and behavioral patterns work
How bilingualism works: the secret of processing mechanisms
How fear-related beliefs fit into the cognition process
Following the cognitive process involved in anxiety disorders
How to fight emotional distress
Unusual mental health cases and cognition deviations
Applying psychological approaches to ethical reality
How motivation plays a role in human development
The shared elements of self-affiliation and self-determination
An examination of the causes and results of drug and alcohol abuse
New ideas regarding the peculiarities of rational and social development
How practicing a healthy lifestyle cures disease and promotes wellness
Conflict solution in parent-child relationships
Evaluating the challenges of preterm development in children
How to battle cognitive deficit in Parkinson’s disease
Is attention deficit disorder a neuropsychological problem?
Examining the process of making decisions and taking risks
The impact of music genres on how the brain works
How to fight childhood disorders
Shattering long-standing myths about ADHD
Intellectually gifted people: how is it possible?

🎓 Research Paper Topics on Education

Research project ideas around education are always changing. This has resulted in a wide range of research topics, such as:

Computers in classrooms: useful tool or obstacle to equality ? Computers have proved to be capable of improving many aspects of our lives. For instance, they allow children to interact with content instead of just consuming it. However, computers further the disparities between those who can and cannot afford one. Explore these factors in your research paper.
A review of potential methods for solving America’s education crisis. The US invests a substantial portion of its budget into education. However, the system’s equality is average at best. You can study proposals on how we may change its design for the better. Choose the most promising ones, or suggest one of your own.
Individualized vs. group learning : which is better suited for current reality? Every child’s learning should be tailored to their specific situation. Unfortunately, there are far more children than teachers. Answer these questions: is group learning the only available option despite its drawbacks? Can we reduce its shortcomings by blending the models?
Are standardized tests helpful or damaging to children’s education ? Standardized tests are convenient from a bureaucratic standpoint. They convert children’s learning into numbers that are easy to work with. But the practice is often criticized for prioritizing memorization over understanding. Should standardized tests be abandoned?
How should the education system approach children with special needs ? Special needs children have experienced a broad range of treatment throughout history. What are the current ideas on how to teach them? What are their special needs in an educational context, and how can schools satisfy them?
Are the world’s best education systems based on similar foundations?
How can schools help children maintain their mental health ?
What does equality of opportunity mean in the context of the school?
Review how the essential qualities of a teacher evolved since 2000.
Should every school student aim for higher education
What traits define an excellent teacher, and can they be cultivated?
Is homeschooling a viable alternative to public schools ?
The school choice debate in the US: arguments for and against.
Authoritative sources: what qualities make information available on the Internet valid?
Is cheating on tests an expression of an educational failure?
Where theory encounters reality in gender issues
Test anxiety with regard to contemporary methods of teaching
The effects of contemporary teaching methods
The mental process behind human learning
The interpretation of IQ test results
Should children be rebuked when they misbehave?
How to prevent bullying and harassment in schools

It is estimated that 160 000 children miss school every day due to fear of attack or intimidation by other students.

The creation of particular learning methods for blind children
Positives and negatives of contemporary methods of teaching and state-of-the-art innovations
The function of technology in lesson planning
Is there a one-size-fits-all strategy for education?

📺 Cultural Research Topics for Papers

Perhaps there is nothing more complex than human culture and how people have interacted with each other throughout history. For this reason, these cultural topics might be of interest to you:

Harlem Renaissance: how a single neighborhood created modern African American culture . In the 1920s, numerous African Americans moved to the Harlem neighborhood of New York. Influenced by the ideas of thinkers such as W. E. B. Du Bois , they built the foundations of Black culture and art. How did this happen?
Is third-wave feminism still a movement for equality ? First-wave feminism gave women equal rights with men. Then the second wave started the fight with discrimination. However, third-wave feminism claims that the second wave failed, especially with regards to matters such as race and ethnicity. Are its claims valid, and what does it work to achieve?
Is the Western way of thinking the only correct one? Non-Western civilizations lay claim to different schools of thought that emphasize different viewpoints. Should Westerners adopt aspects of non-Western philosophical thought?
Are the factors that informed the Constitution still relevant? The Constitution was created in a different time than now. Some of its provisions, notably the Second Amendment, have been challenged repeatedly in recent years. Explore if the ideas of the Founding Fathers still apply today.
Should the postmodern school of art be considered art? Postmodern art is challenging to define in plain terms. Many people are confused when a seemingly random series of brush strokes sells for millions of dollars. Think of how such artworks fit into the history of art movements.
The impact of advertisements and commercials on how people comprehend the world
The implicit messages of mass media : what you see is what you get
How the most remarkable cultural achievements of the 20 th century influenced contemporary art
The repetition of cultural tendencies: the Greeks did it first
Social roles adults endorse to children via toys
Social models mass media bestows on teenagers and adults
Eating habits in dissimilar cultures
The origin of racial discrimination
The segmentation and integration of humans
The impact of AIDS on mankind
A new comprehension of past events
Unearthing a common language: divorce prevention and family therapy
Painting a portrait of the average American family
The roots of antisemitism and how it manifests today
A case against cruelty to living beings
An examination of the current job market and unemployment

🗣️ Argumentative Essay Topics

It is easy to find unique argumentative research paper topics. After all, we live in a crazy world in which all kinds of interesting things happen. Here are some suggestions:

Is the Electoral College a better system than the popular vote? The United States uses the unique Electoral College system for its presidential elections. Over the centuries, calls have been made to change it to the popular vote approach. So far, these attempts have been fruitless. In this debate, whose position has more merit?
Should the continued expansion of the government be reversed? Starting small, governments around the world took on more and more functions. As a result, they now guarantee the operation of many services. They also collect massive taxes and demonstrate bureaucratic inefficiencies. Is there a valid argument for privatizing most public services?
Should the US continue acting as the world’s peacekeeper? The US’s military is present in many areas around the world. Usually, they take the form of military bases and peacekeeping forces. However, its efforts often fail, with Iraq as a recent example. Should the nation continue spending its resources abroad?
Does the public or private healthcare produce better results for the cost? The US’s healthcare system is often criticized for its massive costs and underwhelming quality. There have been calls to both make it more private and more public. Which of the two approaches ensures a more affordable, efficient system?
Is teenage gender transition ethical? Recently, medical professionals in the US have started transitioning teenagers with gender dysphoria . Yet, some of them de-transition later. Should the practice continue regardless?
Political commitment and television
Should marijuana be legalized?
Can people of different races ever understand each other
Abusive relationships: where to draw the line on what relationships should Be allowed to exist
Are there realistic limitations on abortion ?
The many guises of violence in society
The impact of women on world history

Are social interactions possible without lies?
Dealing with overpopulation: can it be accomplished ethically ?
Torture: is it ever acceptable?
The ethics of using animals in research
Human dependence on computers : beneficial or harmful
Post-9/11 security measures: an invasion of privacy or good sense

Science is always bursting with new and exciting topics as we delve deeper into the mysteries of the universe and technology. Here are a few topic suggestions:

The potential of space resources and the technologies for extracting them. Space contains a vast quantity of resources, many of which are rare or expensive on Earth. Plans to use them have been arising for a long time. Can we implement any of them in the near future, and do they justify the costs?
Recent promising developments in cancer treatment and their validity. Cancer is a significant concern for humanity largely because it cannot be treated without harming the body. However, ideas such as targeted medications and imitations of whale biology have promised an end to this problem. Research them and assess their validity.
Large-scale recycling methods and their effectiveness in reducing waste . Most of the resources humanity uses are still on the planet in the form of waste. Some, such as fossil fuels, cannot be recovered, while metals and many others can. Is it possible to address resource scarcity through large-scale recycling? Is it economically viable?
Advantages and disadvantages of proposed thorium nuclear reactor designs. Thorium has been touted as the solution to the problems of uranium-based atomic reactors. It’s not as dangerous and produces less waste. Is it indeed superior, or should its issues prevent its use?
Potential benefits and issues of genetic modification . Genetic modification is broadly used but also criticized by many. It has its benefits, but critics argue that overreliance may lead to unexplored side effects. Are there reasons to believe these claims?
What cloning has in store for humanity: altering the personality
How nanotechnology will impact modern science
Will uranium isotopes precipitate the next scientific revolution?
How psychoactive drugs influence the central nervous system
Deafness and using echolocation
The role of erythropoietin and calcitriol in the human body
The process of feeling pain: treatment and pain relievers of the future
Is nuclear energy too hazardous to use?
Nuclear weapons: a responsibility for which no country is prepared
People’s impact on climate change : the cost of a technological breakthrough
Key issues and potential solutions for toxic waste disposal
Are the effects of global warming reversible ?
The future of NASA
Endangered species : causes and concerns
Black mold: the bathroom invasion

Just like science, health care is always changing, particularly as technology advances. With new discoveries in disease research and new technology being developed every day, the following topics are great examples of what you can write about in your paper:

Race and ethnicity-based differences in normal health indicators . People of different races and ethnicities tend to have varying normal health indicators. For example, African Americans tend to have a higher blood pressure than average. What causes such differences? Why do medical workers need to understand them?
The effects of the Affordable Care Act on American healthcare. The Affordable Care Act, colloquially known as Obamacare, was introduced to improve health insurance’s affordability for disadvantaged people. However, the costs of insurance have grown since through premiums. Did Obamacare cause this increase, or did it happen independently?
Strategies for prevention of obesity and associated heart disease risks. Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States. Obesity, which is also prevalent in the nation, is associated with the condition. How can the healthcare system reduce the rates of obesity and associated heart disease?
For- or non-profit hospitals: which offer superior treatment? Both for- and non-profit hospitals are private entities. The former operate as businesses, while the latter only seek to cover their costs. Is the former’s drive to compete and lower prices preferable to the latter’s not charging a profit margin?
Mental health in the United States: issues and proposed solutions. Mental healthcare is a complicated topic. Many conditions are difficult to diagnose, and some are associated with stigma . Conflicts of interest often arise among psychiatrists, incentivizing them to diagnose fake conditions. How can mental health be improved in the US?
Should medicine be more focused on the prevention of illnesses or their treatment?
Is it possible to eliminate a disease forever?
The development of prosthetics: current technologies and promising ideas
Barriers to the adoption of electronic health systems and how to overcome them.
Sedentary behavior and sports: what are the health outcomes?
Psychological treatment for adolescents: how to address their needs.
Caring for seniors: current problems and potential solutions.
US nursing shortage: causes and potential effects on the nation’s health.
The effects of circumcision on the health of newborn infants.
Analyze the experiences of children with autism in school and at home.
Should image scan radiation be reduced to a minimum level?
Health care and insurance: concerns and problems
The most likely outcomes of recent health care reform
Old theories and new methods of sports injury rehabilitation
A look at celebrities who have battled cancer
A comparison of conventional and alternative cancer treatments
How clean needle programs benefit society
The need for education on nutrition in school
The impact of diet on health

👔 Business Research Paper Topics to Write About

Business is a broad field, so there are plenty of topics you can write about, such as:

Best contemporary practice in green supply chain management for businesses. Green supply chain management aims to overturn the stereotype of polluting factories. Companies that adopt it seek to generate as little waste as possible and require their suppliers to do the same. What policies do researchers currently recommend for this purpose?
Corporate social responsibility : theoretical framework and practical implementations. Corporate social responsibility is an approach where a company seeks to give back to the community where it works. It’s a popular concept, often discussed in business schools. But how does it translate into practice?
The effects of different office arrangements on the productivity of employees . Offices have evolved substantially over the 20th century. Cubicles replaced isolated rooms, and today open offices are popular. Is there a meaningful difference between these different arrangements? Are the changes improvements or lateral movements?
Remote work and its effects on the operations of businesses. Remote work is more popular than ever. It seems convenient for workers, but some companies worry that they will stop being productive without oversight. Are their concerns reasonable?
A cross-cultural comparison of leadership styles . In the West, a number of leadership style theories have crystallized that are considered best. However, other regions use distinct approaches that work for them. They’re also not rushing to change to the Western model. Do Western styles work best everywhere, or are they limited to the appropriate mindset?
Social media marketing strategies and the determinants of success.
Compare the functions of administration and management.
Prevention of organizational misconduct: barriers and strategies.
Review the latest developments in performance management theory and practice.
What is the future of e-commerce business environments ?
Innovation in the workplace: current thought and generation methods.
How does outsourcing influence business performance?
Describe the effects of kaizen and total quality management on performance.
Discuss economic viability in corporations that operate at a loss.
Overtime work, employee well-being , and company performance.
Deliberating in the secrets of effective leadership
How time management influences the prosperity of a company
How to resolve a conflict between staff and management
The function of diversity in the workplace of the 21 st century
Management by walking around: effective or fruitless?
Should businesses be regulated: pros and cons
Social media and word-of-mouth in the digital age
How the digital age has transformed small businesses
How mobile technology is altering the workplace
The future of the franchise
How the millennial employee is transforming the workplace

📚 Literature Research Paper Topics

Sometimes, there is no surrogate for a great paper on literature, and with the changing world, there are always innovative ways to observe literature, even the classics. Here are a few topic suggestions:

The depiction of the American Dream in The Great Gatsby . Jay Gatsby first appears as an example of the American Dream. Starting poor, he becomes wealthy and popular in the city. However, he does not achieve his desires and stays unhappy. You can research how the novel criticizes the concept while also reinforcing its idea.
The evolution of Japanese literature in the Meiji Era. The Meiji Era began after the end of Japanese isolationism. Due to encountering new cultures, its art evolved rapidly. Writers such as Akutagawa Ryunosuke and Dazai Osamu created unique works. From what context did they emerge?
The traits of 20th century dystopian works . The worlds of Aldous Huxley, Ray Bradbury, George Orwell, and others are bleak. However, they are all substantially different. Can you distinguish unifying themes in the stories that these writers tell?
How does literature reflect contemporary social issues? Writers often try to draw attention to problems of their time. Dickens wrote about the exploitation of the poor, and Langston Hughes discussed racial discrimination. Can this trend be traced across most literature?
Classic vs. modern poetry. Classical poetry follows a variety of rules, such as rhymes and stanza organization. Contemporary poets often reject these constraints and create works that are closer to prose in form. What caused this change?
Study the Four Great Works of Chinese Literature as cultural reflections.
Examine the influence of romantic tendencies on Walther Scott’s works.
What issues are raised in contemporary African literature?
Analyze Milton’s interpretation of Biblical myth in Paradise Lost .
What characterizes the depiction of war in Heller’s Catch-22 ?
Discuss real and fake loyalty in King Lear .
How was grotesque used in 19th century American Gothic fiction?
The Old Man and the Sea : Hemingway’s depiction of the unconquerable spirit.
How were gender issues depicted in 19th and 20th-century feminist literature?
Compare the themes of The Iliad and The Odyssey.
The innovative era: poets of the 21 st century
A dissection of the most illustrious novels in history
The hunger games: over and above pulp fiction
The future of copyright
An examination of racism in novels from the 1960s and 1970s
The perception of exile in literature
Culture and literature: which affects which?
An examination of homosexuality in literature

🗳️ Political Research Topics

The world of politics is ever-changing. Understanding the complex mechanisms that regulate our lives is challenging. That’s why a research paper is a great way to clarify the matter. Whether you’re interested in global or local affairs, this section has got you covered.

What is the origin and purpose of powers separation in government? Most modern governments are separated into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. Thus they limit each other to avoid government overreach. How was this system founded, and how does it work?
The structure of the legislation approval process in the US. Every bill has to be approved by the Congress, the Senate, and the President. What factors can hinder the process?
A comparison between the two-party system and multi-party nations. The US is often critiqued for its two-party system by nations that have numerous parties. With that said, a common counterargument is that American parties made of people with diverse views. How do the political climates of the US and multi-party democracies differ in practice?
The purpose and effectiveness of term limits for government positions. Some government positions, such as that of the President, are limited to a specific number of years. At the same time, jobs in the Congress and Senate are not. Discuss the purpose of term limits and say if they’re effective.
Pros and cons of globalism as a political philosophy. The concept of globalism requires worldwide bodies that supersede governments. It looks past nations and ignores their interest in favor of global benefits. Is this approach valid, or are there problems with it?
How does the European Union membership affect its countries?
Review the evolution of China’s political system in the 20th-21st centuries.
The threat of terrorism in a world without ISIS.
Discuss the issue of mass incarceration in the United States.
What were the causes of the Soviet Union’s collapse ?
Write about violations of human rights worldwide and their causes.
Examine the critiques of capitalism .
What are the political aims of the Black Lives Matter movement ?
Review the methods for effectively combating governmental corruption.
The issues of democracy and how to overcome them.
The American policy of intervention
The future of the European union
Causes of world hunger
Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction
The Justice system and juvenile criminals
Afghanistan—success or stalemate?
Was media coverage of SARS adequate
The new world war: fighting terrorism
Same-sex marriage: are laws keeping up with changing attitudes?
BREXIT: good or bad?

Who says you can’t combine academia and entertainment? Great conclusions can come from fun research. The most important thing is to ask the right questions. Check out the following prompts and get inspired:

Parallel universes, their origins, and potential organizations. Numerous authors have imagined parallel universes. Even some quantum physics theories assert their existence. Are parallel universes slightly different versions of our world, or are they entirely distinct?
The theories and paradoxes of various time travel mechanisms. Time travel is a popular science fiction trope. It’s also associated with multiple contradictions, such as the grandfather paradox . How do science fiction authors try to overcome these problems?
The attempts to create the theory of everything. Physicists are trying to develop an approach that would explain everything in the universe. It doesn’t exist yet, as general relativity and quantum physics often contradict each other.
What are the possibilities and problems of interstellar travel? Without a method to travel much faster than light, expansion beyond the Solar System is impossible. If it becomes feasible, what possibilities can it offer?
The history of the moon landing conspiracy theory. The moon landing conspiracy theory asserts that the Apollo 11 mission didn’t occur, and the evidence was filmed on Earth. It tries to find various flaws in this evidence and use them to prove its illegitimacy. How did it emerge, and does it still exist?
Are people who claim to have extrasensory perception frauds?
Research stories of the supernatural based on facts.
What is the origin of the modern Santa Claus?
If an afterlife exists, what form does it take?
Does meditation have benefits for physical and mental health?
Did Nostradamus’s prophecies come to pass?
Why do some people believe the Earth is flat?
Does Murphy’s Law always work?
Examine 19th-century occultism and its prominent leaders.
Alchemy and the quest for the Philosopher’s Stone.
How people are affected by the death of a game character
Challenges faced by people creating their own cartoon
Beloved comic strip characters and their influence on society
An examination of UFOs: fact or fiction
What if aliens do exist: the impact on humanity
Is there a differentiation between déjà vu and precognition?
The existence of spirits and how to communicate with them
Theories regarding the Bermuda triangle
Investigating alternative cosmology theories
Does fortune telling have a scientific basis?
Law of attraction: fact or fiction?
Men and women’s brain: what’s the difference?

👥 Sociology Research Paper Topics

As an additional interest for studies, a sociology research paper can be written with the purpose of learning this or that aspect of society’s life. You may use personal experience or continue the research started by other authors. Interesting research projects in this area can be based on the following topics:

Problems of the marriage and family: a divorce research paper . This article can study the relationship in different families and problems that can arise.
Observance of public behavior standards as the feature of the civilized society. You can describe modern social ideals.
Comparison of sociological laws in different historical epochs. In your paper, study the attitudes towards various social phenomena.
The influence of personality on public development and progress. You can describe the power of the personality and what one person can do to contribute to social development.
Opportunities for searching optimal criteria for the personality socialization . Such a paper aims at revealing the ways of how people can uncover their potential.
The society’s attitude to global problems : a global warming research paper and the impact of this phenomenon on people’s way of life. Describe this well-known ecological problem in your paper.
Cultural formation of the personality in the context of modern public reality. This type of work can be connected with describing the ways of people’s cultural development.
Attempts to socialize adolescents and people with deviant behavior . A research paper on this relevant topic should describe how people who are prone to criminal behavior can correct their way of life.
Ways of improving the microclimate in the work collective and creating conditions for comfortable work. The theme aims at finding optimal techniques to improve relationships among employees.
Equality problems in society. A paper on this topic should uncover modern problems connected with inequality and various forms of racism.
Explore the causes of poverty in disadvantaged communities around the US.
Review the health and education outcomes of children raised in single-parent families.
What are the effects of social media on users’ mental health?
Look into the presence of gender stereotypes in popular culture.
What are the effects of mass immigration on communities and nations?
Study the effects of lockdown-related social isolation on mental health.
Is the Internet an adequate replacement for face-to-face communication ?
Research the causes of bullying and potential strategies for its prevention.
What’s the status of LGBT communities in nations around the world?
The effects of juvenile convictions on one’s life prospects.
Write about the American population’s views on the dangers of pollution .
Explore the stigma and social acceptance issues associated with transgender status.
How does cyberbullying affect one’s health ?
Review the Internet’s influence on education .
Assess the rationale of policies that restrict citizen reproduction.
Research your community’s views on the concept of privacy.
Health and education outcomes of children raised in same-sex families.
Explore intergenerational differences in views on social topics.
How do views on freedom of speech vary among people of different social categories?
Make a case study on the prevalence of workplace gender discrimination in your community.

It is essential to remember that a good research paper on the subject of sociology will be appreciated by readers if you study a specific social phenomenon in detail, carry out statistical analysis, and perform a number of important procedures. The purpose of a research paper in this field is to cover current public issues, reveal important aspects of various problems, and, if possible, offer optimal solutions. This science requires concrete and well-grounded answers. Any deviations and ambiguous arguments can be regarded as an author’s incompetent attempt to investigate a complex topic.

With all of these topics at your disposal, you might still be feeling a little overwhelmed. However, they are divided into categories to make choosing one easier. It might also be helpful to look at some great research paper samples .

Composing a research proposal can sometimes be a part of a big study. If you not only want to describe a specific problem or to convey an idea to your readers, but also expect to promote your personal theory and receive the approval of a respected scientific community, it’s necessary to choose a topic which allows you to present your own ideas. Different types of writing can be included in this category: an analytical research paper, work on identifying the best ways and techniques for a particular topic, etc. The preparation of research proposal articles has some nuances, and the following topics can be studied:

The way to conduct optimal trade relationships. Review appropriate techniques and offer specific methods to improve the situation in a particular company.
The advantages of electronic management systems. This theme will be connected with describing the merits of modern ways of managing specific spheres of production.
Useful innovations in modern life . Research paper subjects can be different: medicine, sociology, business, etc.
The best management techniques: methods of control . A paper on this topic should describe the behavioral features of successful managers.
The implementation of nursing theories in practice. The research paper proposal should have an appropriate scientific basis and describe corresponding medical issues.
Best practice in the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis.
What challenges are associated with the nationwide adoption of the DNP standard?
Research current developments in palliative care for senior patients.
Are there differences in leadership and management styles between genders?
Assess the effects of tutoring on the educational attainment of school children.
Compare the preferred management styles in different cultures.
How do different states’ populations view the legalization of marijuana?
Write about the underlying causes of Ancient Rome’s fall.
Challenges in the adoption of electronic health records in medical facilities.
What are the potential vulnerabilities of the AES-256 encryption standard?
Research the link between loyalty to a company and career growth .
How did Dante’s Inferno influence Christian depictions of Hell?
A case study of Singaporean government and its economic policies.
Review the financial environment and economic growth of Hong Kong .
Causes and implications of the human waste issues in San Francisco.
Assess the prevalence of smoking in the United States.
Study the beneficial effects of early childhood musical education on later development.
The philosophical and political underpinnings of the French Revolution .
What are the effects of successful social media marketing campaigns on videogame sales?
How did Confucian writings influence Chinese political thought?

The video below provides detailed instructions on how to write a research proposal. It is crucial to follow these rules so that the article to be up-to-date and properly formatted. Any attempts to bring something new are generally welcome; however, it is important not to forget about established rules.

👩‍⚕️ Nursing Research Paper Topics

A nursing research paper is an academic article that has specific format requirements. Citation rules in particular are very important, for example, an APA research paper format . In order to write a perfect paper and conduct high-quality research, follow the formatting rules and use any of these topics:

Nursing techniques to care for patients in intensive care units. The summary of your research paper can include a description of the best practical methods.
How do you implement nursing theories ? Your paper can consist of the enumeration of specific nursing theories and the ways of their implementation in practice.
Patients’ education and useful materials. The theme aims at discovering the best educational materials that would be suitable for patients.
Ideas on how to achieve a better quality of nursing care . You can offer various interpretations of this topic in your research paper.
Experienced researchers’ opinions on improving the state of nursing in hospitals. Use the ideas of different authors and don’t forget to follow the citation rules.

Patient-oriented type of care and its advantages. This scientific research essay can reveal the merits of a specific nursing approach.
Potential risks for nurses in the workplace. Both a junior research paper and a senior research paper of this theme should competently describe all possible dangers that medical employees can face.
Care for people of different social backgrounds. If this research paper is written in English, it should uncover the ways how to care for people speaking other languages and having different cultural and social levels of development.
Do nurses need additional stimuli to improve their qualifications? You can write many interesting research papers on this topic, and all of them can include lists of possible bonuses and incentives for nurses.
The necessity for nurses’ additional education. A paper on this topic can describe subjects suitable for nursing education.
How do you promote healthy eating practices in disadvantaged communities through educational programs?
Research ways of providing preventative care for veterans affected by PTSD.
Review the strategies of organizing nurse shifts to maximize the quality of care in understaffed conditions.
Study cases of patient violence toward nurses in the intensive care unit.
Preventing pressure ulcers in immobile patients.
Ways of implementing quality improvement in nursing units .
What cultural competencies and challenges are typically encountered in nursing care?
Review the methods for controlling delirium in the intensive care unit .
Propose adjustments in sexual education to spread awareness of STD risks in same-sex relationships.
Suggest interventions to prevent falls in patients staying at home.
What are the issues of advanced practice nursing in different countries?
Strategies for remaining productive under pressure as a nurse.
Research alternatives to prescribing patients with infections antibiotics that bypass resistance.
How to design effective interventions for child obesity rates reduction.
Explore using exercise to maintain the physical well-being of hospital patients.
What interventions can reduce alcoholism rates in your community?
Analyze the implementation of evidence-based practice in nursing facilities.
Ethical standards and issues that arise in the nursing profession.
Review the methods of providing holistic care to patients.
The dangers associated with telemedicine in medical-surgical nursing.

The compliance with the specific research project ideas will allow you to write a high-quality paper and will give you the opportunity to conduct research at a high level. Having completed the document, you can summarize and identify its crucial points. Following the rules of formatting is an integral part of working on any academic text.

🎨 Research Project Topics on Art

In the process of writing research articles, it is necessary to adhere to a certain topic. You can choose any theme you want. A research paper will be successful if you stick to your topic and provide a real search for optimal ways of solving a particular issue. There are a few suggestions that can be helpful in the process of writing. If we talk about such an interesting sphere as the world of art, themes can be as follows.

How is ideology reflected in architecture? Naturally, ideologies are largely represented in media, but they also influence architecture in many ways. You can study this topic at several points in time.
How does photography represent reality? In this paper, you can discuss if photography reflects reality, interprets it, or constructs it.
The significance of linear perspective . If you draw a linear perspective on a flat surface, you will create the illusion of depth. Discuss how this magic trick works in your paper!
Art and the unconscious mind. It’s an excellent topic that lets you explore psychology. Try to answer the questions of how the unconscious mind influences the creation and perception of art.
The evolution of horror movies . This film research paper topic covers everything from silent films to modern horror movies. You can discuss the influence of film noir on the genre, literary works that influenced it, the concept of “suspense,” and so on.
Physiological aesthetics in Surrealism. It is a known fact that Surrealists were inspired by psychoanalysis and dream imagery. You can explore this topic in a paper or use it for a presentation!
Deconstruction in architecture. The philosophical movement of deconstructivism influenced many spheres of life and art, including architecture. It allowed the creation of seemingly nonsensical forms and environments.
Sociology of fine art. This is a relatively new branch of sociology, which deals with arts and social structures of their production. It also includes political trends that influence art, consumerism, and other social phenomena.
Jewelry as sculpture. This topic lets you explore fantastic avant-garde jewelry and how contemporary artists such as Jeff Koons use it to create sculptures.
The discourse of Modernist painting in the 1950s. This topic covers experimental and abstract paintings of artists who rejected the realistic approach. Mention political agendas that influenced modernism in the ’50th.
Abstract Expressionism. Here you can discuss postwar artists such as Rothko and Pollock , as well as their predecessors Ernst and Kandinsky.
Andy Warhol’s influence on art. This art research paper topic covers not only pop art, but also films, music, aphorisms, the concept of “superstars,” and other aspects of Andy Warhol’s influence.
The art of street photography. Street photography is usually spontaneous, which helps to create realistic and powerful imagery. Write about the art of photographing urban landscapes and the most influential candid photographers.
The history of animation. Techniques preceding animation have existed long before the invention of cinematography. Puppetry, shadow play, magic lantern – all these things relate to animation in one way or another.
Are video games art? This idea seemed impossible in the past, but now many video games are considered art for their use of imagery, music, and compelling narrative.
Art as a form of protest. This includes protests against tradition or political causes. You may also talk about the role of art in bringing about a change in society.
Renaissance sculpture. This topic is just as interesting as the Renaissance painting. During that period, the art of sculpture had reached its peak. Sculptors of the Renaissance were influenced by Ancient Greek sculptures , as well as by Humanism.
Relationship between architecture and environment. Here you can discuss eco-friendly or “ green” architecture .
Modern ceramics as an art form. In the last decade, ceramics became a very popular art form. From prehistoric pottery to intricate porcelain forms – ceramics is a great medium that can often be compared to sculpture.
Science fiction in cinema. The earliest science fiction films were created back in the late 19th century by Georges Melies. In 1927, Fritz Lang’s silent film Metropolis revolutionized science fiction cinema. Explore it in your research paper!
The peculiarities of Da Vinci’s masterpieces. The paper will reflect the talent of the great European master and describe his Best Works.

5 most famous artworks by Leonardo Da Vinci.

The trends of art in Medieval Europe. The topic should uncover modern trends in the art of the Middle Ages and include the description of some styles; it can the article of any format, even a 10-page research paper. The main thing is to fully reveal all the distinctive features of that epoch.
The history of European Art in the 20th century . The research can be devoted to some trends in the previous century.
The most outstanding artists in the world’s history. The paper should tell about the most famous artists of all the epochs.
Why do people appreciate art? This article can include your own ideas concerning the subject.
How do artists reflect their talent today? Your task is to try to study the methods that modern artists use to attract the audience.
Skills that a professional artist should possess. The aim of this article is to study some skills that should be necessary for the work of the artist. Regardless of whether you write research papers for sale or not, you should try to express not only well-known ideas but also your personal point of view.
Is it possible to develop artistic talent? Try to express your ideas concerning the opportunity for mastering proper skills.
The benefits of cooperation with other artists. This topic touches upon probable advantages that artists can gain when cooperating with their colleagues.
Themes that are the best for the canvas. You can develop a number of research abstract topics on this theme and convey the best motives to paint that seem the most successful for you.
The absence of inspiration. The theme should reveal what authors should do to develop their inspiration.
Chronological order of art development in the world. It is a rather accurate paper that should mention the most significant stages of art development.
Do people appreciate the work of artists? You could try to study the audience’s attitude toward artists’ work.
The methods to attract young people to art. The topic is connected with a social issue and aims at popularizing art in masses.
Do artists need additional knowledge? This theme implies for describing the necessity of education among all the professions, including artists and other creative posts.

🎼 Music Research Topics

Every culture has its distinct music. For many people, music is an integral part of everyday life. Film and theater productions use it to steer our emotions. When writing about music, you can choose from an endless number of ideas to research. Here are some examples:

Music as a ritual. Back in prehistoric times, music was considered to be a powerful ritualistic practice. Some mythologies even include stories about gods introducing the art of music to humans.
Early polyphony in Christian Europe. The earliest choral music was mostly performed in a single melodic line. See how it changed when more melodic lines were added.
Indian ethnomusicology . This interesting music research topic is concerned with the peculiarities of Indian music culture. You can include the discussion of how Indian music influenced psychedelic rock in the ’60s.
Jazz performance and improvisation. The element of spontaneity is very important in jazz performance, and improvisation is its key component.
Medieval troubadours and their legacy. Troubadours were poets who sang their own music and played instruments. Their performances differed greatly from the traditional church music of that time.
Ecomusicology of North America. This research topic allows you to discover the ways in which American landscape and nature influenced music, including Native American music, folk music, and modern songwriters.
Baroque music . During the Baroque era, many important features of modern music were introduced. You can choose this topic if you like grandiose, dramatic, or playful classical music.
The classical period in music. This period followed the after the Baroque and was very different from it. You can recognize it by simple structures and minimalistic arrangements. Many of the world’s greatest composers, such as Mozart and Beethoven, lived during the Classical era.
Classical music of the 20th century. Over the course of the previous century, the music styles were changing like never before. Still, classical music survived, while also transforming itself in accordance with times.
Music therapy for children. In this exciting music research topic, you can discover how music is used to help children with developmental dyspraxia, autism, ADHD, and other disorders.
Music and sound in film. Discover for yourself the art of scoring – from improvised piano arrangements of early movies to modern stereo surround sound.
The history of Italian opera. The Italian language played a key role in the formation of classical singing techniques. This includes opera – an art form that unites music and singing with storytelling.
The 20th-century music industry. This topic is centered on various ways of recording and selling music. Vinyl records, wax cylinders, cassette tapes, and CDs – 20th-century technology allowed turning music into a business.
The birth of pop music. The history of popular music begins in the 1950s. The term refers to the songs appealing to a large audience, as opposed to classical or jazz music. You can discuss the elements of early pop music that made it so accessible.
The ideology and aesthetics of punk rock. Punk rock was enormously influential in the 1970th. Its philosophy of anti-conformity appealed to young people of post-war Britain and the USA.
The musicology of electronic music. This exciting topic covers the earliest repetitive devices such as Hammond organ, early experimentations with electronics, the first use of computers and synthesizers in songwriting, and more!
Sampling in electronic music: context and aesthetics. Sampling is a very interesting technique that allows using audio fragments in different contexts. It can be used for aesthetic or political reasons, or as a cultural commentary.
What is a sound sculpture? A combination of an art object and music, sound sculptures are exciting to research. You can use this topic for presentation and demonstrate sound sculptures in action!
Dadaism and music. Dadaist ideas of randomness and paradox influenced art as well as music. Discuss the noise compositions and avant-garde sonic experiments that influenced the latter half of the 20th century.
Robotic musical instruments. You may think that robots playing music is a relatively new idea, but in fact, they date back to ancient times.

✍️ Creative Writing Research Topics

There are more rules to creative writing than one might think. For example, narratives should be coherent, and world-building has to follow certain logic. Analyzing these peculiarities brings you one step closer to becoming a better writer.

The role of reality within the psychological thriller genre. Psychological thrillers often aim at distorting or questioning reality. Study the ways in which this idea manifests in different narratives.
Graphic novels and their peculiarities. In modern times comic books are no longer considered to be just for entertainment, and graphic novel format is used to produce award-winning narratives.
Writing about the past: historical research and archaeology. When your narrative takes place in the distant past, you need to do extensive research to represent the time period properly. One way to do it is to turn to archaeology.
What is the role of landscape in supernatural narratives? Supernatural narratives rely on the atmosphere to evoke the feeling of uncanny. The setting and landscape are especially important to the writes of the supernatural genre.
How to write engaging crime fiction? This topic includes the ways of building suspense, the use of “red herrings,” complex character development, and other tips.
Digital storytelling. Here you can explore how to present your narrative in interactive digital form. It can be a video game, a visual novel, or a walking simulator.
Writing about the future. When you write about the past, you already know the characteristics of an epoch. But how do you invent the attributes of the future? Discuss it in your paper!
The influence of the author’s personal life on their writing. People often want to learn more about their favorite writers in the hope to understand their work better. But is there really such a connection between one’s personal and creative lives?
The role of diaries in creative writing . Almost all writers keep diaries. Sometimes the diaries are published and used in research or literary analysis. But how do authors themselves use their diary entries?
Creative writing for children. This excellent creative writing research topic deals with the ways of teaching children how to create their own narratives. You can discuss why writing is beneficial for children and how you can encourage them to be creative.
The art of teaching poetry . Poetry is one of the most exciting art forms that never gets old. However, not everybody appreciates poetry right away. See how you can change it!
What is the role of nature in romantic literature? Romantic artists and writers took lots of inspiration from nature, using it as a metaphor for one’s life and feelings.
The role of authorial intent. Some readers think that it’s essential to know what the author wanted to say in their literary work. Others believe that it’s one’s personal interpretation that matters the most.
A persona in poetry. The lyrical subject is someone who narrates a poem. Some people see it as the manifestation of the author, and others as a fictitious character. And what do you think?
Degrees of realism in fiction . When writing a work of fiction, some writers use excessive descriptions, while others keep things relatively minimalistic. Discuss the positive and negative sides of these approaches.
Forms of structure in films and novels: a comparison. Here you can compare different forms of narrative structures used in cinema and literature, such as linear and non-linear narratives, the use of flashbacks, and so on.
How to write a comedy. Comics say that making people laugh is much harder than to make them cry. Discuss what makes a literary work funny, and how one can write effective comedy.
The recontextualization of Hamlet . Recontextualization is a process by which something (e.g., a character) is taken from one context and introduced into another context. You can explore this notion through different recontextualizations of Shakespeare’s character Hamlet.
Writing a dystopia . See what techniques you can use when writing a narrative set in a bleak society.
Monomyth in literature. This exciting topic deals with the concept of “hero’s journey,” which serves as a basis for nearly all myths as well as countless works of fiction.

🎈 Other Research Paper Topics

You still haven’t found what you were looking for? This section might have what you need! Here you’ll find all kinds of topics. From psychology over physics to sociology, we compiled the most engaging ideas for you.

American teenagers–can they be called new species?
William Shakespeare : was this man the author of famous plays and sonnets?
Do you have any ideas about the field circles?
Black magic. Does it exist?
Censorship and its role in forming a society
The phenomenon of the penny press in the USA
Symbolism in literature
Alcatraz and its famous fugitives
Major sources of stress
Government grants–how do they work?
Election falsification: is it commonly used, and what are its main techniques?
Genetic engineering and your point of view on it
Stem cell research
What is a black hole
Loch Ness monster and your attitude towards this mystery
Joan of Arc –did she manage to escape the fires of Inquisition?
Do some research on techniques of brainwashing
Who invented the radio ?
There is a belief that American astronauts didn’t step on the Moon. Did they?
American international policy
Unique people who changed the world
Genius ideas that made their inventors famous and wealthy
Is education a necessary factor to become successful in today’s world?
Differences between the high school systems in the USA and Japan
Schindler’s list : the importance of moral roles over wealth
Educational programs’ impact on professional careers
Why do college students from all over the world come to the USA to pursue further education?
Examples of crop circles: Fake or real?
Humanity’s technological achievements in 2020

John Brunner quote: “It’s supposed to be automatic, but actually you have to push this button”

The importance of outlines in books and articles
Web-designers seem to be using the same template in their works
Exciting inventions of humankind in the nearest future
Modern students do not know how to do their homework without access to the Internet
The original cover page of the Holy Bible
The development of the MLA style
The cradle of psychology
Controversial policies of the USA and the USSR
How abortion affects a woman’s organism
What did Homer write about his lifestyle?
Famous people in the world’s history that did not exist
Would people have become what they are today without science?
Parts of the world that will always remain uninhabited
Philosophical questions that humanity cannot answer for centuries
Medical stereotypes around the world
Will global warming ruin America’s economic system?
The USA government should be thankful for the mass immigration
The majority of scientific works are useless
Things to research in the sphere of modern gadgets
Should sociology make people happier?
The lack of pure water sources on Earth
The environment’s effect on human health
Humanity’s steps towards eco-friendly products, cities, and vehicles
Sherlock Holmes’ analytical mind and deduction skills
Should parents teach their children how to make the world better for other people?
Is business the only way to become wealthy in Third World countries?
Analysis of William Shakespeare’s literary language
Does a title tell everything about a book’s context?
The Great Wall: A legendary monument or China’s income source?
Should families report to the police that their relatives are guilty of something?
The first websites, available on the World Wide Web
New challenges to the society introduced by social media
If you created your government, what would you do for your citizens?
What career options are prevalent in modern societies?
Chemistry in people’s everyday life
Is there any person on Earth, whose life is considered to be easy?
Is bribery acceptable for criminal justice?
The most popular sports in Britain
The population biology of India
Basic nursing knowledge of everyday life
Renaissance literature in France
Think of a technology that would make our atmosphere cleaner
Development of different animals after forty days on Noah’s Ark.
What will the food be like in a hundred years?
Socialization of children with autism
The medieval art of Scandinavian people
Different ways to save Earth’s environment from pollution
Depression in adolescents: reasons and outcomes
The importance of computer science in today’s world
Coca-Cola marketing strategies

Express your opinion on people’s purpose in life on Earth
How do early childhood memories and experiences influence our lives?
The history of video games era
Regulation of bullying in schools by law
Drugs industry in California, New Mexico, and Texas
The most prevalent economic issues in Greece after joining the EU
China’s rapid growth: is it going to become the first country in the world?
Global dangers that influence our planet’s ecology
Significant changes in the American media since the 1970s
What makes medicine an interesting subject to study?
The main factors to consider while conducting qualitative research

There are so many resources out there that will help you choose a topic and write an outstanding paper. This video gives you a bunch of topics for research papers, which means you now have even more from which to choose!

There is no doubt that writing a research paper is a daunting task.

If you feel you need help, even if you have managed to choose a topic, you can always hire a custom writing service to help you produce a fabulous research paper of which you will be proud and will guarantee you a good mark.

Whether you choose to write it on your own or get some help, we wish you luck writing your paper!

🤔 Research Topics FAQ

There are literally thousands of topics to choose from. “Biomarkers and colors: what is the correlation?” is a great topic on psychology. Should businesses be regulated: pros and cons is an exciting business research topic. Finally, Art as a form of protest is an art research topic worth exploring.

The first option is to ask your professor. Then you can browse through scientific journals and take a look at your library catalog. The final option for those who search for a creative idea is to take notes everywhere. Write things down while traveling, watching TV, and reading.

The Big Bang theory, Dwarf galaxies, and Supernova Astronomy are just a few of numerous astronomy research topics. Genetically modified organisms, Neurobiology of sleep, and Rainforest conservation are exciting research biology research topics. Artificial intelligence, Computer modeling, and Voice recognition are trendy computer science topics.

There are numerous exciting topics in various education research areas. Some of them are: Ability grouping, Computer literacy, Early childhood education, Multiculturalism, Parental involvement, Sex education, Violence in schools, and Virtual classrooms.

🔗 References

APA Sample Paper
Painting Movements in the 20th Century Topic
The Discovery Themes Initiative at The Ohio State University
Quantitative Research in Education
Quantitative Research Works, Indiana University
Organizing Academic Research Papers: Choosing a Title
Research Topics, The University of Arizona
Research Topic Ideas, University of Michigan-Flint
National Archives—Research by Topic
Jet Propulsion Laboratory—Research Topics List
Global Health Research Topics
National Institute of Justice—Topics
National Institute of Standards and Technology—Topics
Research Topics at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Research & Development
National Institutes of Health—A to Z Topics Index
Evaluating Print Sources
Working With Sources
Developing a Thesis
Psychiatry: Medscape
Information Technology: NIST
Topics: History.com
Research Programs: National Center for Education Research
Recent Computer and Education Articles: Elsevier
Basic Guide to Cross-Cultural Research: Yale University
Cultural Anthropology: Britannica
Top Physical and Tech News: Science Daily
Health Topics: National Institute of Mental Health
PhDs in Business & Management: Five Hot Research Topics: Top Universities
Research and Focus Areas in Business and Government: Victoria University of Wellington
Modern Literature: University of Portsmouth
Research Areas: Political Science: Florida University
Sociology Research Areas: Cornell University
Focus Areas: Nursing Research: Mayo Clinic
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I want an essay research on The implementation of nursing theories in practice

I want an easy research in linguistics can u suggest an easy topic?

I didnt saw research topics in suggestion for linguistics

am looking for research topic on politics or ethics

I’m looking for a research paper on the vape culture among the youth.

I ‘m looking for research topic on digital marketing

I’m doing a mini research on qualitative research. I need some topics for qualitative research.Can you help me?

I am looking for research topics on dispensary optician care

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13.1 Formatting a Research Paper

Learning objectives.

Identify the major components of a research paper written using American Psychological Association (APA) style.
Apply general APA style and formatting conventions in a research paper.

In this chapter, you will learn how to use APA style , the documentation and formatting style followed by the American Psychological Association, as well as MLA style , from the Modern Language Association. There are a few major formatting styles used in academic texts, including AMA, Chicago, and Turabian:

AMA (American Medical Association) for medicine, health, and biological sciences
APA (American Psychological Association) for education, psychology, and the social sciences
Chicago—a common style used in everyday publications like magazines, newspapers, and books
MLA (Modern Language Association) for English, literature, arts, and humanities
Turabian—another common style designed for its universal application across all subjects and disciplines

While all the formatting and citation styles have their own use and applications, in this chapter we focus our attention on the two styles you are most likely to use in your academic studies: APA and MLA.

If you find that the rules of proper source documentation are difficult to keep straight, you are not alone. Writing a good research paper is, in and of itself, a major intellectual challenge. Having to follow detailed citation and formatting guidelines as well may seem like just one more task to add to an already-too-long list of requirements.

Following these guidelines, however, serves several important purposes. First, it signals to your readers that your paper should be taken seriously as a student’s contribution to a given academic or professional field; it is the literary equivalent of wearing a tailored suit to a job interview. Second, it shows that you respect other people’s work enough to give them proper credit for it. Finally, it helps your reader find additional materials if he or she wishes to learn more about your topic.

Furthermore, producing a letter-perfect APA-style paper need not be burdensome. Yes, it requires careful attention to detail. However, you can simplify the process if you keep these broad guidelines in mind:

Work ahead whenever you can. Chapter 11 “Writing from Research: What Will I Learn?” includes tips for keeping track of your sources early in the research process, which will save time later on.
Get it right the first time. Apply APA guidelines as you write, so you will not have much to correct during the editing stage. Again, putting in a little extra time early on can save time later.
Use the resources available to you. In addition to the guidelines provided in this chapter, you may wish to consult the APA website at http://www.apa.org or the Purdue University Online Writing lab at http://owl.english.purdue.edu , which regularly updates its online style guidelines.

General Formatting Guidelines

This chapter provides detailed guidelines for using the citation and formatting conventions developed by the American Psychological Association, or APA. Writers in disciplines as diverse as astrophysics, biology, psychology, and education follow APA style. The major components of a paper written in APA style are listed in the following box.

These are the major components of an APA-style paper:

Body, which includes the following:

Headings and, if necessary, subheadings to organize the content
In-text citations of research sources
References page

All these components must be saved in one document, not as separate documents.

The title page of your paper includes the following information:

Title of the paper
Author’s name
Name of the institution with which the author is affiliated
Header at the top of the page with the paper title (in capital letters) and the page number (If the title is lengthy, you may use a shortened form of it in the header.)

List the first three elements in the order given in the previous list, centered about one third of the way down from the top of the page. Use the headers and footers tool of your word-processing program to add the header, with the title text at the left and the page number in the upper-right corner. Your title page should look like the following example.

Beyond the Hype: Evaluating Low-Carb Diets cover page

The next page of your paper provides an abstract , or brief summary of your findings. An abstract does not need to be provided in every paper, but an abstract should be used in papers that include a hypothesis. A good abstract is concise—about one hundred fifty to two hundred fifty words—and is written in an objective, impersonal style. Your writing voice will not be as apparent here as in the body of your paper. When writing the abstract, take a just-the-facts approach, and summarize your research question and your findings in a few sentences.

In Chapter 12 “Writing a Research Paper” , you read a paper written by a student named Jorge, who researched the effectiveness of low-carbohydrate diets. Read Jorge’s abstract. Note how it sums up the major ideas in his paper without going into excessive detail.

Write an abstract summarizing your paper. Briefly introduce the topic, state your findings, and sum up what conclusions you can draw from your research. Use the word count feature of your word-processing program to make sure your abstract does not exceed one hundred fifty words.

Depending on your field of study, you may sometimes write research papers that present extensive primary research, such as your own experiment or survey. In your abstract, summarize your research question and your findings, and briefly indicate how your study relates to prior research in the field.

Margins, Pagination, and Headings

APA style requirements also address specific formatting concerns, such as margins, pagination, and heading styles, within the body of the paper. Review the following APA guidelines.

Use these general guidelines to format the paper:

Set the top, bottom, and side margins of your paper at 1 inch.
Use double-spaced text throughout your paper.
Use a standard font, such as Times New Roman or Arial, in a legible size (10- to 12-point).
Use continuous pagination throughout the paper, including the title page and the references section. Page numbers appear flush right within your header.
Section headings and subsection headings within the body of your paper use different types of formatting depending on the level of information you are presenting. Additional details from Jorge’s paper are provided.

Begin formatting the final draft of your paper according to APA guidelines. You may work with an existing document or set up a new document if you choose. Include the following:

Your title page
The abstract you created in Note 13.8 “Exercise 1”
Correct headers and page numbers for your title page and abstract

APA style uses section headings to organize information, making it easy for the reader to follow the writer’s train of thought and to know immediately what major topics are covered. Depending on the length and complexity of the paper, its major sections may also be divided into subsections, sub-subsections, and so on. These smaller sections, in turn, use different heading styles to indicate different levels of information. In essence, you are using headings to create a hierarchy of information.

The following heading styles used in APA formatting are listed in order of greatest to least importance:

Section headings use centered, boldface type. Headings use title case, with important words in the heading capitalized.
Subsection headings use left-aligned, boldface type. Headings use title case.
The third level uses left-aligned, indented, boldface type. Headings use a capital letter only for the first word, and they end in a period.
The fourth level follows the same style used for the previous level, but the headings are boldfaced and italicized.
The fifth level follows the same style used for the previous level, but the headings are italicized and not boldfaced.

Visually, the hierarchy of information is organized as indicated in Table 13.1 “Section Headings” .

Table 13.1 Section Headings

A college research paper may not use all the heading levels shown in Table 13.1 “Section Headings” , but you are likely to encounter them in academic journal articles that use APA style. For a brief paper, you may find that level 1 headings suffice. Longer or more complex papers may need level 2 headings or other lower-level headings to organize information clearly. Use your outline to craft your major section headings and determine whether any subtopics are substantial enough to require additional levels of headings.

Working with the document you developed in Note 13.11 “Exercise 2” , begin setting up the heading structure of the final draft of your research paper according to APA guidelines. Include your title and at least two to three major section headings, and follow the formatting guidelines provided above. If your major sections should be broken into subsections, add those headings as well. Use your outline to help you.

Because Jorge used only level 1 headings, his Exercise 3 would look like the following:

Citation Guidelines

In-text citations.

Throughout the body of your paper, include a citation whenever you quote or paraphrase material from your research sources. As you learned in Chapter 11 “Writing from Research: What Will I Learn?” , the purpose of citations is twofold: to give credit to others for their ideas and to allow your reader to follow up and learn more about the topic if desired. Your in-text citations provide basic information about your source; each source you cite will have a longer entry in the references section that provides more detailed information.

In-text citations must provide the name of the author or authors and the year the source was published. (When a given source does not list an individual author, you may provide the source title or the name of the organization that published the material instead.) When directly quoting a source, it is also required that you include the page number where the quote appears in your citation.

This information may be included within the sentence or in a parenthetical reference at the end of the sentence, as in these examples.

Epstein (2010) points out that “junk food cannot be considered addictive in the same way that we think of psychoactive drugs as addictive” (p. 137).

Here, the writer names the source author when introducing the quote and provides the publication date in parentheses after the author’s name. The page number appears in parentheses after the closing quotation marks and before the period that ends the sentence.

Addiction researchers caution that “junk food cannot be considered addictive in the same way that we think of psychoactive drugs as addictive” (Epstein, 2010, p. 137).

Here, the writer provides a parenthetical citation at the end of the sentence that includes the author’s name, the year of publication, and the page number separated by commas. Again, the parenthetical citation is placed after the closing quotation marks and before the period at the end of the sentence.

As noted in the book Junk Food, Junk Science (Epstein, 2010, p. 137), “junk food cannot be considered addictive in the same way that we think of psychoactive drugs as addictive.”

Here, the writer chose to mention the source title in the sentence (an optional piece of information to include) and followed the title with a parenthetical citation. Note that the parenthetical citation is placed before the comma that signals the end of the introductory phrase.

David Epstein’s book Junk Food, Junk Science (2010) pointed out that “junk food cannot be considered addictive in the same way that we think of psychoactive drugs as addictive” (p. 137).

Another variation is to introduce the author and the source title in your sentence and include the publication date and page number in parentheses within the sentence or at the end of the sentence. As long as you have included the essential information, you can choose the option that works best for that particular sentence and source.

Citing a book with a single author is usually a straightforward task. Of course, your research may require that you cite many other types of sources, such as books or articles with more than one author or sources with no individual author listed. You may also need to cite sources available in both print and online and nonprint sources, such as websites and personal interviews. Chapter 13 “APA and MLA Documentation and Formatting” , Section 13.2 “Citing and Referencing Techniques” and Section 13.3 “Creating a References Section” provide extensive guidelines for citing a variety of source types.

Writing at Work

APA is just one of several different styles with its own guidelines for documentation, formatting, and language usage. Depending on your field of interest, you may be exposed to additional styles, such as the following:

MLA style. Determined by the Modern Languages Association and used for papers in literature, languages, and other disciplines in the humanities.
Chicago style. Outlined in the Chicago Manual of Style and sometimes used for papers in the humanities and the sciences; many professional organizations use this style for publications as well.
Associated Press (AP) style. Used by professional journalists.

References List

The brief citations included in the body of your paper correspond to the more detailed citations provided at the end of the paper in the references section. In-text citations provide basic information—the author’s name, the publication date, and the page number if necessary—while the references section provides more extensive bibliographical information. Again, this information allows your reader to follow up on the sources you cited and do additional reading about the topic if desired.

The specific format of entries in the list of references varies slightly for different source types, but the entries generally include the following information:

The name(s) of the author(s) or institution that wrote the source
The year of publication and, where applicable, the exact date of publication
The full title of the source
For books, the city of publication
For articles or essays, the name of the periodical or book in which the article or essay appears
For magazine and journal articles, the volume number, issue number, and pages where the article appears
For sources on the web, the URL where the source is located

The references page is double spaced and lists entries in alphabetical order by the author’s last name. If an entry continues for more than one line, the second line and each subsequent line are indented five spaces. Review the following example. ( Chapter 13 “APA and MLA Documentation and Formatting” , Section 13.3 “Creating a References Section” provides extensive guidelines for formatting reference entries for different types of sources.)

In APA style, book and article titles are formatted in sentence case, not title case. Sentence case means that only the first word is capitalized, along with any proper nouns.

Key Takeaways

Following proper citation and formatting guidelines helps writers ensure that their work will be taken seriously, give proper credit to other authors for their work, and provide valuable information to readers.
Working ahead and taking care to cite sources correctly the first time are ways writers can save time during the editing stage of writing a research paper.
APA papers usually include an abstract that concisely summarizes the paper.
APA papers use a specific headings structure to provide a clear hierarchy of information.
In APA papers, in-text citations usually include the name(s) of the author(s) and the year of publication.
In-text citations correspond to entries in the references section, which provide detailed bibliographical information about a source.

How to Select Topics for Essay Writing? – Essay Topic Selection

Essay writing is a common academic task that students encounter throughout their educational journey. One of the most critical aspects of essay writing is selecting a suitable topic that not only interests the writer but also engages the reader. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the process of selecting topics for essay writing and provide valuable tips to help you choose the perfect topic for your next essay.

How to Select a Topic for an Essay Writing?

Choosing the right topic for your essay can significantly impact its success. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you select a topic for essay writing:

Brainstorm Ideas: Start by brainstorming a list of potential essay topics that interest you or align with the assignment requirements.
Narrow Down Your Options: Once you have a list of potential topics, narrow down your options by considering factors such as relevance, feasibility, and your level of expertise on the subject.
Research: Conduct preliminary research on each topic to determine the availability of credible sources and the depth of information available.
Evaluate Your Audience: Consider the interests, preferences, and expectations of your target audience when selecting a topic to ensure relevance and engagement.
Choose a Unique Angle: Look for a unique angle or perspective on a familiar topic to make your essay stand out and provide fresh insights to your readers.
Consider Your Passion: Select a topic that you are passionate about or curious to explore further, as your enthusiasm will shine through in your writing.
Check Assignment Guidelines: Review the assignment guidelines or essay prompt carefully to ensure that your chosen topic meets all requirements and specifications.
Seek Feedback: If unsure about your topic selection, seek feedback from peers, teachers, or mentors to gain valuable insights and perspectives.
Flexibility: Be open to revising your topic or adjusting your approach based on feedback and new insights gained during the writing process.
Trust Your Instincts: Ultimately, trust your instincts and choose a topic that resonates with you and allows you to express your ideas and opinions effectively.

Best Way to Make Your Essay Amazing

To make your essay truly amazing, focus on crafting a compelling thesis statement, organizing your ideas coherently, providing strong evidence to support your arguments, and incorporating engaging examples and anecdotes. Additionally, pay attention to the clarity of your writing, use appropriate language and tone, and revise and edit your essay thoroughly to ensure accuracy and coherence.

Important Tips for Essay Writing to Students

Some important tips for essay writing to students include:

Start early and allocate sufficient time for research, writing, and revisions.
Plan and outline your essay before you start writing to ensure a logical flow of ideas.
Use credible sources and cite them properly to support your arguments and avoid plagiarism.
Pay attention to grammar, punctuation, and spelling to ensure clarity and professionalism in your writing.
Seek feedback from peers, teachers, or writing tutors to improve your writing skills and refine your essays further.

If you require additional tips and techniques for essay writing, go through our article Top 10 Essay Writing Tips for Students – Best Tips for Essay Writing article for better understanding.

Final Notes

Selecting the right topic for your essay is a crucial step in the writing process that requires careful consideration and deliberation. By following the top 10 tips outlined in this guide and keeping important considerations in mind, you can choose a topic that not only meets the requirements of your assignment but also allows you to express your ideas and insights effectively.

This article discusses how to select topics for essay writing in detail. For further exploration of related topics, we invite you to visit our blog section. For personalized online tuition services, Tutoroot offers exceptional options. Our online English tuition is designed to address any conceptual queries you may have. Click here to schedule a FREE DEMO session.

How to select an essay topic? To select an essay topic, consider your interests, research current events, brainstorm ideas, narrow down your options, evaluate your audience, check assignment guidelines, seek feedback, and trust your instincts.

How do I choose a good topic for my essay?

Choose a good topic for your essay by considering factors such as relevance, feasibility, uniqueness, audience preferences, and your level of expertise. Additionally, seek feedback, plan and outline your essay, and ensure that your topic aligns with assignment requirements and guidelines.

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ENGL 2A: Critical Thinking & Writing (Krane)

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Academic Search Complete This link opens in a new window A multidisciplinary database providing access to more than 8,500 full-text periodicals, including more than 7,300 peer-reviewed journals. It also offers indexing and abstracts for more than 12,500 journals. Covers a wide range of academic topics including business, education, social sciences, humanities, science, & engineering. Coverage varies, with some publications going back to 1911.
OmniFile Full Text Mega (H.W. Wilson) This link opens in a new window This multi-disciplinary database provides the complete content - indexing, abstracts, and full text - from six of Wilson's full-text databases: Education Full Text, General Science Full Text, Humanities Full Text, Readers' Guide Full Text, Social Sciences Full Text, and Business Full Text. Full-text articles from five additional periodical databases are also included when available: Applied Science & Technology Full Text, Art Full Text, Biological & Agricultural Index, Index to Legal Periodicals & Books, and Library Literature & Information Science Full Text. Indexing begins in 1982, abstracts in 1984, and full-text coverage in 1994. Updated daily.

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Education Source This link opens in a new window This database will lead you to articles from more than 3,000 professional and scholarly education journals and magazines as well as some books and conference papers. The vast majority of sources are in English, but other countries and languages are represented. Dates of coverage vary wildly, but you could find something from as far back as 1929.
Political Science Complete This link opens in a new window Political Science Complete contains full-text for more than 520 journals and indexing & abstracts for over 2,900 titles, including top-ranked scholarly journals. The database has a worldwide focus, reflecting the globalization of contemporary political discourse. The database also features over 340 full-text reference books and monographs and over 36,000 full-text conference papers. The subject specific thesaurus contains over 17,500 terms to aid researchers.
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Ethnic NewsWatch This link opens in a new window Ethnic NewsWatch™ is really two databases, a current one, beginning in 1990 and including newspapers, magazines, and journals of the American ethnic and minority press, including scholarly ethnic studies journals.This is updated daily with new content. The other database is a historical file covering the years 1959-1989, incuding a rare collection of over 30 full-text titles, focusing on African American, Hispanic American, and Native American presses from 1959-1989.
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Communication Source This link opens in a new window The most comprehensive resource for scholars studying mass media, communication theory, linguistics, organizational communication, rhetoric & discourse, phonetics, and speech pathology. It includes the full text of more than 600 publications (academic journals, conference papers, magazines, and periodicals). Coverage goes back to 1915.
Film & Television Literature Index with Full Text This link opens in a new window This database provides access to articles and other materials related to film and television research. Subject coverage includes film & television theory, preservation & restoration, writing, production, cinematography, technical aspects, and reviews. The database includes indexing and abstracts for more than 300 publications, as well as full text for more than 90 journals.
Criminal Justice Database This link opens in a new window A comprehensive database supporting research on crime, its causes and impacts, legal and social implications, as well as litigation and crime trends. The database covers criminology, corrections & law enforcement, criminal law, criminal justice, criminal rehabilitation, industrial crime, addictions (e.g., gambling), and child abuse. 1981-present.

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IEEE Xplore This link opens in a new window The IEEE/IEE Electronic Library (IEL) is IEEE's complete full-text product on its Xplore platform. It is an online collection of IEEE and IEE journals and conferences--plus the IEEE standards. These publications provide 30% of the world's electrical engineering and computer science literature in a single source. There is a full-text backfile for each title to 1988, with selected titles back to 1950.
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Writing the Introduction/Background of a Research Article

Writing the introduction and background of a research article can be daunting. Where do you start? What information should you include?

A great place to start is creating an argument structure for why your research topic is relevant and important. This structure should clearly walk the reader through current, relevant literature and lead them to the gap in the literature that your topic fills. To do this I use the following 4-step argument creation structure.

Create argument funnel questions/statements
Harvest article quotes that explain/backup each of the argument funnel questions/statements
Organize article quotes to best support each section of the argument funnel
Write prose that utilizes the article quotes to progress your argument from most well known to your specific topic

1. Argument Funnel Creation

Create an argument funnel with statements that take the reader form the most well known and widely accepted knowledge connected to my topic down to your specific research topic.

Completed Argument Funnel Example

When creating your funnel statements think about what research exists related to your topic. Where are the gaps in the existing literature? How do you know those are the gaps? If you get stuck, think about the 50,000 ft view of your topic and how you would explain the necessity of your research to people not in your field.

2. Harvesting Article Quotes

Find research articles that pertain to each of your funnel statements to back them up with evidence. As you find the articles put them into a citation manager (e.g., Zotero) now to save yourself time later. While reading the articles, pull (copy and paste) article quotes/excerpts that MAY be relevant. Pull more than you think you need, especially duplicates of the same idea by different authors to strengthen your argument. Store your quotes/excerpts in a document organized by your funnel statements with in-text citations with the page number you pulled it from. The National Academy of Engineering reports can be valuable top of funnel resources.

3. Organizing Article Quotes

Once you have harvested many article quotes for each of your funnel statements, organized them in an order that walks your reader through the literature landscape in a logical way. As you do this assume the reader doesn’t know anything about your topic so start at the beginning. Chronological order is a good place to start but may not always fit your argument. Think about your quotes/excerpts as puzzle pieces, where do they logically fit together?

4. Writing Prose

Now that your article quotes are organized, summarize the quotes in your own voice with appropriate citations. This is the time to begin including transition/connecting words and phrases between summarized quotes to bring your reader through your argument. Don’t forget to include “so what?” sentences and phrases after summarized quotes. In other words don’t only report what other authors said or found, tell the reader why that is important to your argument.

Zora Neale Hurston Research Paper

This essay about Zora Neale Hurston examines her profound impact on American literature. Highlighting her Southern heritage and influence from the Harlem Renaissance, it details her life’s story from her roots in Eatonville, Florida, to her academic and literary milestones. The essay reflects on her major works, including “Their Eyes Were Watching God,” emphasizing her exploration of Black womanhood and her resilient spirit despite personal hardships. Hurston is portrayed not just as a writer, but as a visionary who infused her work with the culture and experiences of African American life.

How it works

In the rich mosaic of American literature, few figures shine as brightly or contribute as distinctively as Zora Neale Hurston. Her writing, steeped in the essence of her Southern roots and the vibrant pulse of the Harlem Renaissance, represents a distinct blend of resilience, authenticity, and relentless determination.

Hurston was born in 1891 in Eatonville, Florida, a fully incorporated African American town where her father served as mayor. Surrounded by the evocative sights and sounds of this unique community, she absorbed the vibrant culture of African American life, which later vividly colored her narrative style.

Hurston’s literary career reflects a series of peaks and valleys, mirroring the turbulent times she lived through. From her educational beginnings at Howard University to her immersion in the dynamic scene of 1920s Harlem, she captured her experiences in a style rich with the texture of authenticity.

Her initial major work, “Jonah’s Gourd Vine” (1934), explores Southern life, weaving the region’s rich narratives into her storytelling. Through characters inspired by her own memories, Hurston crafted a world both enchanting and rooted in realism, showcasing the profound capability of stories to bridge time and place.

However, it was “Their Eyes Were Watching God” (1937) that elevated Hurston to literary prominence. Through the character of Janie Crawford, Hurston explored the depths of Black womanhood, creating a story that resonated with the universal themes of desire and resilience.

Despite her critical success, Hurston faced numerous personal and financial challenges. Yet, she continued to produce a wide range of literature, including novels, essays, and plays, demonstrating her unwavering creative spirit.

As we explore Hurston’s literary contributions today, we see her not just as an author, but as a creator of worlds, a dream weaver, and a keeper of her culture’s spirit. Her writings do more than recall the past; they serve as a perennial light, illuminating the complex journey of human experience.

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15 Essential Resources for Elementary Writing Instruction

An elementary school teacher provides elementary writing instruction.

Authored by Janine Henley, this blog post offers 15 essential resources for elementary educators to enhance their writing curriculum and instruction. From webinars to books and podcasts, each resource is carefully selected to empower teachers, literacy coaches, and reading specialists in cultivating proficient writers in their classrooms. Dive into this curated collection of resources to unlock writing success, strengthen foundations, and foster creativity among young learners.

Articles, Guides & Research

Books : Effective Writing Instruction

In “Keys to Early Writing,” you’ll find a comprehensive guide aligned to Keys to Literacy’s professional development modules. This resource is designed to support educators with an introduction to writing instruction, detailed instructional practices, real classroom examples, and engaging professional learning activities. The book also features numerous reproducible templates that you can use with your own students.
The Institute of Education Sciences’ “Teaching Elementary School Students to Be Effective Writers” guide offers four insightful recommendations to enhance elementary students’ writing skills. With detailed implementation steps and solutions for common challenges, this guide is a must-have for teachers, literacy coaches, and educators dedicated to improving their students’ writing proficiency. Explore this resource to learn more about effective elementary writing instruction!

Articles, Guides & Research : Elementary Writing Instruction

826 Writing Reports aims to ignite the power and joy of writing, envisioning a world where every student has access to quality writing education. Their dedication to creating more writing spaces and empowering teachers resonates deeply with our own commitment to literacy. 826 is working towards a future where writing flourishes in every classroom, enriching the lives of students and educators alike. The 826 Writing Reports explore the current state of writing instruction and research based best practices that will help move the needle on student achievement.
In the latest edition of “Best Practices in Writing Instruction,” experts dive into strategies to help create a supportive writing environment and strategies to teach writing for different purposes. There are also several chapters that explore how to support students in honing specific skills—from handwriting and spelling to sentence construction and the writing process. This definitive text translates new research into effective guidelines for teaching writing across grades K–12, offering educators practical insights and real classroom examples to cultivate a comprehensive, high-quality writing program.
The Reading League’s Curriculum Evaluation Tool provides educators with a valuable resource to assess the alignment of curricula with evidence-based practices in reading instruction. With the Curriculum Evaluation Guidelines (CEGs) Reviewer Workbook, curriculum review teams can effectively rate and record evidence of potential red flags. It’s crucial to ensure that instructional practices align with the scientific evidence base of how children learn to read, particularly in Tier I instruction. The guidelines are meticulously designed to identify any non-aligned practices, or “red flags,” across key areas such as Word Recognition, Language Comprehension, Reading Comprehension, Writing, and Assessment
In the article “5 High-Impact Writing Strategies for the Elementary Grades,” educators are encouraged to broaden their perspective on writing instruction beyond traditional storytelling and informational pieces. While these are undoubtedly valuable, the article emphasizes the importance of foundational transcription skills, such as handwriting. The article also discusses integrating writing across all content areas to deepen students’ understanding and prepare them as proficient writers. By incorporating writing into various subjects and providing opportunities for student choice, educators can nurture a strong foundation for young writers to excel in authoring texts across genres.
In this blog post, I’ll be diving into The Writing Rope Book Club: A Spotlight on Explicit Writing Instruction. As both a member of the Heggerty team and an experienced educator myself, I’ll share insights and strategies to enhance writing instruction in elementary classrooms. Join me as I explore the steps to starting The Writing Rope book club and provide practical tips to strengthen your teaching practice.
In this insightful blog post, Dr. Gary Troia dives into the realm of effective writing instruction, offering invaluable insights for educators. As we explore “A Guide to Effective Writing Instruction,” Dr. Troia seamlessly connects structured literacy practices with the art of teaching writing, providing practical strategies to enhance instruction. Gain a deeper understanding of the essential elements of effective writing instruction and learn how to integrate them seamlessly into our classrooms.

Webinars : Improving Student Writing Skills in the Classroom

In this insightful webinar, Margie B. Gillis, Ed.D, a nationally recognized literacy expert, discusses the critical role of syntactic knowledge in student comprehension. As we explore the Syntax Attitude Educator session, Margie shares valuable research insights and practical strategies for educators to teach students how to understand the functions of sentence parts within text. During the webinar, Margie’s expertise shines through as she equips educators with evidence-based practices to enhance reading comprehension in the classroom. When we focus on syntax, we help strengthen not only our students’ reading comprehension but their written composition skills as well. This webinar will help equip you with the knowledge of sentence parts so you can teach syntax effectively!
The AIMS Institute 2024 Symposium brings together some of the brightest minds in literacy education to share valuable insights and practical strategies. From exploring the reading-writing connection to delving into considerations for English Learners and Emergent Bilingual Students, this symposium covers a wide range of topics crucial to elementary education. With presentations from experts like Dr. Sonia Cabell and Dr. Devin Kearns, you’ll gain valuable tools and techniques to enhance your instruction and support student learning. Plus, with presentation slides generously shared by the presenters, you’ll have access to a wealth of resources to further your professional development.
The 2022 Literacy Symposium: Writing Strand is a treasure trove of insights and strategies to enrich your teaching practice. Led by esteemed experts like Joan Sedita and Dr. Anita Archer, this symposium covers a wide range of topics crucial to fostering literacy development in your students. From exploring the importance of summarizing for comprehension and writing skills to delving into effective spelling instruction and syntax comprehension, each session offers practical suggestions and research-based approaches that you can implement in your classroom. Whether you want to enhance your students’ writing skills or deepen their comprehension abilities, this symposium provides valuable tools and techniques to support your journey as an educator.
The webinar titled “An Introduction to a Simple View of Writing” presented by Dr. Murray and Dr. Beveren Currie provides a comprehensive overview of the simple view of writing, offering insights into its components and implications for instruction. Through engaging discussions and practical examples, attendees gain a deeper understanding of the transcription and composition skills that are essential to become a proficient writer. Delivered as part of the PATTAN Literacy Symposium, this session equips educators with essential knowledge to enhance writing instruction and support student success in literacy.
“Navigating Writing Instruction in the Elementary Classroom,” hosted by Alisa VanHekken, Chief Academic Officer at Heggerty, this webinar promises valuable insights and strategies to enhance our approach to teaching writing. It explores transformative practices and addresses key questions shaping writing education today. It’s a great resource for anyone looking to inspire a new generation of confident and creative young writers.

Podcasts: Teacher-Friendly Podcasts Spotlighting Effective Writing Instruction

Dive into the fascinating world of writing science with Pedagogy Non-Grata’s latest podcast episode. Join the round table discussion featuring esteemed writing experts Dr. Steve Graham, Dr. Amy Rouse Gillespie, Joan Sedita, and Lyn Stone as they discuss the best practices of effective writing instruction. Gain valuable insights and practical strategies from these leading voices in education as they explore the latest research that fosters writing proficiency. Whether you’re an educator, parent, or writing enthusiast, this episode offers invaluable knowledge to enhance your understanding of the science behind writing.
In this podcast episode, “Writing Your Way to Better Reading,” host Susan Lambert engages in a thought-provoking conversation with renowned expert Dr. Steve Graham about the intricate relationship between writing and literacy. Drawing from his extensive experience, including his role in chairing the What Works Clearinghouse Practice Guides on writing, Dr. Graham shares valuable insights into supporting student writing, overcoming obstacles in writing development, and emphasizing the significance of teaching handwriting skills.

KeystoLiteracy.com. (n.d.). Training Book: Keys to Early Writing, 2nd Edition (2020). Retrieved from https://keystoliteracy.com/product/training-book-keys-to-early-writing-2nd-edition-2020/

Institute of Education Sciences. (n.d.). Foundational Skills to Support Reading for Understanding in Kindergarten Through 3rd Grade (NCEE 2016-4008). Retrieved from https://ies.ed.gov/ncee/WWC/PracticeGuide/17

826 National. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://826national.org/

Graham, S., MacArthur, C. A., & Hebert, M. (n.d.). Best Practices in Writing Instruction: Second Edition. Guilford Press. Retrieved from https://www.guilford.com/books/Best-Practices-in-Writing-Instruction/Graham-MacArthur-Hebert/9781462537969

The Reading League. (n.d.). Curriculum Evaluation Guidelines. Retrieved from https://www.thereadingleague.org/curriculum-evaluation-guidelines/

Mosby, A. (2024, March 15). 5 High-Impact Writing Strategies for the Elementary Grades. Edutopia. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/article/high-impact-writing-strategies-elementary-students

Henley, J. (2024, March 27). The Writing Rope Book Club: A Spotlight on Explicit Writing Instruction [Blog Post]. Retrieved from https://heggerty.org/resources/blog-post/the-writing-rope-book-club/

Troia, G. A. (2023, November 2). A Guide to Effective Writing Instruction [Blog Post]. Retrieved from https://heggerty.org/resources/blog-post/a-guide-to-effective-writing-instruction/

PaTTAN Literacy Symposium. (2022, August 26). The Syntax Attuned Educator [Webinar]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JE1LFsDS7j8

AIM Institute. (2024, March 11). 2024 Symposium Recordings: The Intersection of Reading and Writing [Conference Session]. Retrieved from https://institute.aimpa.org/programs-research/research-to-practice-symposium/2024symposium/2024recordings?utm_campaign=2024%20Symposium&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=299155430&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-_2Mwhxo4h2zTp5A1zJMW9we3d_o-BvaIw8nMYzNk-OCNhGiOM6mH5LIQNYXm-OyNLmYi5kYMfhLwqaMv1rBboVrYldfQ&utm_content=299155430&utm_source=hs_email

PaTTAN Literacy Symposium. (2022). Writing Strand: 2022 Literacy Symposium [Webinar Collection]. Retrieved from https://sites.google.com/pattan.net/pattan-literacy/2022-pattan-literacy-symposium/writing-strand?authuser=0

Murray, J., & Beverine-Curry, L. (2020, July 13). An Introduction to a Simple View of Writing [Webinar]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4oX81uJwmQ

VanHekken, A. (Host). (n.d.). Navigating Writing Instruction in the Elementary Classroom [Webinar]. Heggerty. Retrieved from https://heggerty.org/downloads/webinar-navigating-writing-instruction-in-the-elementary-classroom/

The Science of Writing Round Table. (n.d.). [Audio podcast episode]. In Apple Podcasts. Retrieved from https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-science-of-writing-round-table/id1448225801?i=1000647603501

Graham, S. (Guest). (n.d.). Writing your way to better reading [Audio podcast episode]. In Science of Reading: The Podcast (Season 7, Episode 8). Amplify. Retrieved from https://amplify.com/episode/science-of-reading-the-podcast/season-7/episode-8-writing-your-way-to-better-reading/

Janine Henley, M.Ed

Janine is currently a Literacy Specialist at Heggerty. Before joining Heggerty, she served as a classroom teacher, reading specialist, and literacy coach. Janine holds a Master’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Mary Washington and earned her reading specialist endorsement from the University of Virginia. Trained in Orton Gillingham, she has worked with diverse grade levels, spanning from K-8, showcasing her passion for education.

Spring 2024 English Course Descriptions

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There are no prerequisites for 200- and 300-level English courses
300-level course topics marked with an asterisk [*] have the option of being taken in the 430-433 range to fulfill a 400-level English major requirement. Students enrolled in the 400-level versions of these courses will, as part of their coursework, conduct independent research appropriate to an advanced-level seminar. Students should consult the descriptions below and myPugetSound for the ENGL 400-level number that corresponds to each designated topic.

ENGL 220 INTRODUCTION TO ENGLISH STUDIES

Tiffany macbain - tth 9:30-10:50 a.m..

This course will introduce you to the discipline of English Studies. Most of us are here because we enjoy reading and writing. While our personal experiences with text can be productive starting points in textual analysis, the study of English requires discipline—in the twin senses of work ethic and mastery of a branch of knowledge. This course will explore what it means to study English at the university level: in short, it will introduce and help you to develop the essential skills of active reading, critical and creative thought, and textual analysis. In addition, we will consider the nature and applications of English Studies.

ENGL 220 is designed to highlight sets of questions central to the discipline: What is a literary text? What is genre, and how do craft and form relate to content? How do literary texts reflect and influence the world around us? How might we engage meaningfully with text? This course may challenge assumptions and beliefs you have about what it means to be an English major, about the value of different kinds of texts, and about the politics—cultural, academic, ideological—that influence the discipline and that the discipline enables you to influence.

Attributes: Required for all English majors and minors

ENGL 228 INTRODUCTION TO WRITING POETRY

Bill kupinse - mw 2-3:20 p.m..

“A line will take us hours, maybe,” writes W. B. Yeats on the craft of poetry. “Yet if it does not seem a moment’s thought, / Our stitching and unstitching has been naught.” This creative writing workshop takes seriously Yeats’s notion that the effect of spontaneity in poetry is achieved through fierce attention and careful revision. By stitching and unstitching multiple drafts of their poems, seminar participants will work to develop the critical skills that will allow them to become more effective writers of poetry. Assignments in this course emphasize writing as a process and include selected reading of contemporary and canonical poems, weekly exercises, in-class discussions, peer reviews, and a final portfolio. We will hold an off-campus reading of class members’ poetry at the end of the term.

Attributes: Creative Writing; IHE Pathway, “Artist as Humanist”

ENGL 236 MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN LITERATURE

Laura behling - mwf 10-10:50 a.m..

“Going from knowing who you are to not knowing who you are--that is the American story." - Gish Jen

Imagined and illuminated. Resisted and rejected. Challenged and celebrated. American literature has responded to all of the personal, social, economic, political, intellectual, and artistic upheaval and change that has characterized America in the last 100 years. It’s done so in new modes and styles of expression, and with readers–you and me–eager to discover the riches in its stories. This course reads key American literary texts from multiple genres from the early 20 th century through today’s contemporary moment and sets them within their cultural contexts. We’ll read and write, judge books by their covers, dive into the contemporary literary prize and publishing worlds, and witness new author-artists emerge. And throughout our examination of American literary history-in-the-making since the early 20 th century, we’ll discover the interconnections of literature and culture and determine if American author Gish Jen is right—that “Going from knowing who you are to not knowing who you are” is, in fact, “the American story.”

Attributes: Literature; IHE Pathway, “Issues of Race and Ethnicity”

ENGL 240 DIGITAL WRITING: TEXT, IMAGE, SOUND

Regina duthely-barbee - tth 11 a.m-12:20 p.m..

When we think of writing, alphabetic writing is often the first thing that comes to mind. We have been conditioned to think about writing as black letters on white paper. This course pushes beyond alphabetic forms of communication to consider the ways that text, image, and sound have been deployed in communication, with a particular focus on social justice and alternative knowledge making practices. Composition scholar Claire Lutkewitte claims, “Multimodal composition offers us the opportunity to discover other ways of knowing and communicating ideas besides the ways we know and communicate through traditional print-based writing” (11). Working from this claim, this course will explore the theoretical foundations of multimodal composition and engage in digital writing across various mediums. We will consider the ways that digital writing allows for new, and more expansive forms of communication. We will examine the relationship between text, image, and sound with a primary focus on the ways that digital writing opens a space for more critical language and communication practices. Students will deploy multiple modes of communicating, including linguistic, visual, spatial, gestural, and aural ways of composing and creating. This class primarily requires a lot of hands-on project based assignments, digital writing workshops, and peer writing groups.

Attributes: Media and Non-Literary Analysis; IHE Pathway, “Artist as Humanist”

ENGL 247 POPULAR GENRES: DETECTIVE FICTION

Alison tracy hale - tth 2-3:20 p.m..

Bring your magnifying glass, your pipe, and your Deerstalker. We’ll begin our investigation with the usual suspects—those prolix lucubrators spawned from the mean streets of 19 th -century urbanity. They will help us exhume the connections between technology and social change that gave rise to a new genre and a new form of hero: the detective. We’ll shine a bright light on the Golden Age and peer into the dark corners of noir as we autopsy the political, social, and ethical anxieties the detective may exacerbate or subdue. From here our investigation will pursue two overlapping and interconnected lines of inquiry: the expansion of investigative fiction across a range of amateur figures and the purposeful re-imagination of the detective and the detective story by writers from an ever-widening range of communities and identities. Our search for the perpetrators will lead us to ask how and to what ends recent and contemporary authors have adopted, adapted, and transformed the topics, tropes, and figures of classic detective fiction in ways that intervene in today’s world. What kinds of aesthetic and political work are being accomplished in these later manifestations, and how are these authors reinvigorating and remaking a formerly formulaic genre? We’ll read some history, some genre theory, and a lot of detective stories in short and novel lengths. You’ll do some forensic and textual analysis and construct a criminal caper of your own. The book list is still need-to-know, but will likely include some of the following authors, mostly but not exclusively from US and British traditions: Poe, Doyle, Christie, Sayers, Tey, P.D. James, Paul Auster, Walter Mosley, Attica Locke, Paula Woods, Glenville Lovell, Stephen Graham Jones…

Attributes: Literature; KNOW graduation requirement; Crime, Law, & Justice Studies elective

ENGL 277 THE BOOK AS HUMAN ARTIFACT

Priti joshi - tth 3:30-4:50 p.m..

In this class, we will all get to be detectives…of objects we cradle in our hands frequently, but don’t often stop to think about: the book! (As we’ll discuss early and often, “book” is used here as a shorthand for “books, scrolls, and tablets, pamphlets, newspapers, and broadsides, in manuscript, print, and pixels” and more). The class will turn our standard relationship to the book on its head: rather than focus on the contents – what the words and images say – we’ll focus on the materiality of the object itself: its cover, pages, binding, typography, etc. The goal is to mine the object for clues to the history of the many people and communities who often-silently and largely-invisibly labored to create books, whether with quill-parchment-and-ink or with a wooden press and types or with woodblocks. Books – in their many forms such as handbills, newspapers or newsletters, even zines – have in some cases survived hundreds of years, and we will use these material objects to learn about the societies and cultures that gave rise to them and that they left an indelible impact on. As befits the material focus of this class, we will be hands-on with books, newspapers, paper, type, blocks, etc. Our class will take place in the Archives and Special Collections seminar room in Collins library and we will handle objects that are old and in some cases delicate (no gloves needed!). We’ll also spend time learning to make or replicate some of the component parts or features of a “book”: paper, printing, folding, and binding.

This class will be of interest to students in English, History, Art (studio or history), Education, or anyone interested in “getting their hands dirty”!

Attributes: Media and Non-Literary Analysis; IHE Pathway, “Visual Culture”

ENGL 329 ADVANCED CREATIVE NONFICTION

Tiffany macbain - tth 12:30-1:50 p.m..

If you’ve ever been hooked by a journalistic deep-dive into a subject, maybe on Serial or in the Atlantic , you know the power of a complex narrative that results from sniffing out a good story, interviewing the right people, and conducting scrupulous research. In Advanced Creative Nonfiction, students will try their hand at these skills. To learn the craft, students will study published essays in the genre, attuning themselves to the elements of a well-told tale. Class will be run as a workshop in which students perform textual analysis and develop their own writing through exercises and the steady composition and revision of their own nonfiction prose. Students will share their thoughts and their writing with their peers, and participate in peer-review and self-reflection. The primary project will be to research, write, and revise a substantial piece of longform journalism, along with a sample pitch or submission proposal of their project to a magazine or journal.

This course assumes students’ basic familiarity with the genre of creative nonfiction, whether through their own writing or their reading of memoir, the literary essay, or longform journalism. ENGL229 (Introduction to Creative Nonfiction) and ENGL226 (Introduction to Journalism) are not prerequisites, but they are good precursors to this course. That said, anyone is welcome to join!

Attributes: Creative Writing

ENGL 338 AMERICAN CARNIVALESQUE LITERATURE*

Laura behling - mw 2-3:20 p.m..

Step right up! This course will examine contemporary American carnivalesque literature (texts shot out of the “canon,” so to speak)-- set in circuses, traveling fairs, carnivals, and theme parks (critically acclaimed, popular, or cult favorites—and sometimes all three at once!) of the last half century. These lively texts will take their place under the big top alongside Russian philosopher and literary critic Mikhail Bakhtin who theorizes about the “carnival sense of the world,” tracing its lineage back to medieval carnival traditions, in which established hierarchies, social roles, and acceptable behaviors were upended (and permitted to be so) ( Rabelais and His World ). Complementing the literary texts will be sideshows of “cultural connections,” moments throughout the course that link the literature to its socio-historical contexts. Our readings will focus on these literary spectacles and our discussions will discern what the carnivalesque turn in American literature suggests about our contemporary America and its populace. Just who are the performers? Who is the audience? Why are we so enthralled? Does a world populated by alligator wrestlers ( Swamplandia! ) or a sinister traveling troupe ( Something Wicked This Way Comes ) return to proper balance, or is the contemporary American world fundamentally changed in their wake?

*Students who wish to study this topic in order to satisfy a 400-level requirement for the English major must enroll in ENGL 431, Section A. This will not overlap with or repeat a previous section of ENGL 431 if taken with a different topic. See note at top .

Attributes: Literature

ENGL 353 THE BIBLE AS LITERATURE*

John wesley - mwf 11-11:50 a.m..

The Bible is a unique artifact of the ancient world in the sense that nothing else written in the so-called Ancient Near East has survived into the present day with quite the same level of proportion, constancy, and relevance. Where did these writings come from? Who wrote this down, for whom, and to what purpose? And, most pertinent to this course, what kind of knowledge do we gain about this book—or, to be more accurate, this anthology of books—when we study it as literature? To read the Bible as literature (in our case, the Christian Bible) is to ask questions of it that we would of any text in an English class, such as those related to matters of source material, cultural history, genre, figurative language, narrative development, and style, as well as interpretation (which, for this text, has been ongoing for more than two millennia, and involves issues of translation, too!). While such an approach will have inevitable crossover with religious studies, history, linguistics, theology, and even archaeology, it will be good to keep in mind that the primary aim of this course is to develop a literary appreciation of the Bible rather than determine the veracity of religious or theistic claims. As Kenneth Burke once wrote, “Whether or not there is a realm of the ‘supernatural,’ there are words for it.” In this course, we will study some of those words.

*Students who wish to study this topic in order to satisfy a 400-level requirement for the English major must enroll in ENGL 430, Section A. This will not overlap with or repeat a previous section of ENGL 430 if taken with a different topic. See note at top .

Attributes: Literature; Literatures and Cultures Before 1800

ENGL 374 WRITING CLIMATE JUSTICE*

Bill kupinse - tth 2-3:20 p.m..

This course explores how imaginative writing can intervene in the most existential of neoliberalism’s myriad catastrophes: the climate crisis. Through our reading of contemporary novels, poetry, nonfiction, and ecocritical theory, we will seek to understand literature’s role in realizing an environmentally just and genuinely sustainable world.

Emphasizing creative writing as a form of activism, we will study the work of writer-activists from around the globe–Sheila Watt-Cloutier, Barbara Kingsolver, Camille Dungy, Kathy Jetnil-Kijiner, Nnedi Okorafor, Donna Haraway, and Cherie Dimaline, among others. Within the inclusive category of climate justice, we will consider a range of topics, including Indigenous rights, immigration justice, ecofeminism, and queer ecology. For students registering for this course as ENGL374, there are three main assignments: an essay in which students engage an ecocritical concept and a literary text in conversation; a creative writing assignment in which students themselves produce a short piece of climate change literature in a genre of their choosing; and a collaborative, student-designed final project that uses the skills and knowledge developed during the semester to engage the climate crisis beyond the classroom. For students taking the course as their senior seminar (i.e. those registering for ENGL 430-B), additional requirements include discussion leadership and a research-oriented expansion of their ecocritical/literary essay.

*Students who wish to study this topic in order to satisfy a 400-level requirement for the English major must enroll in ENGL 430, Section B. This will not overlap with or repeat a previous section of ENGL 430 if taken with a different topic. See note at top .

Attributes: Literature; Environmental Policy & Decision Making general elective

ENGL 383 INDUSTRY, ENSLAVEMENT, AND EMPIRE*

Priti joshi - tth 12:30-1:50 p.m..

In 1813, Britain abolished the slave trade and in 1834, it abolished slavery in its colonies (where it had kept it safely hidden). The labor of enslaved peoples had, of course, funded Britain’s mega-growth into the world’s largest industrial empire. This course takes up matters of enslavement, industrialization, and Britain’s empire. Threaded through debates about Abolition and enslaved peoples, industrialism and the “condition of the working classes,” and Britain’s growing reliance on its empire (for labor and markets) were questions of gender – women and their “proper” place, men and masculinity. We will use these frames as the lens through which we approach key texts of the period: Mary Prince’s History (the first narrative by a Black woman published in Britain); Dickens’ Oliver Twist ; Elizabeth Gaskell’s Mary Barton ; Wonderful Adventures by Mary Seacole (referred to as the “Jamaican Florence Nightingale”); Wilkie Collins’s Moonstone (considered the first detective novel); and H. Rider Haggard’s She (a gothic-adventure tale that beggars belief).

*Students who wish to study this topic in order to satisfy a 400-level requirement for the English major must enroll in ENGL 432, Section A. This will not overlap with or repeat a previous section of ENGL 432 if taken with a different topic.

Attributes: Literature; Centering Marginalized Voices

ENGL 397 THE WRITING INTERNSHIP

Regina duthely-barbee - mw 3:30-4:50 p.m..

This seminar supports students as they negotiate the transition from the classroom to the workplace. Students consider how the skills they have developed as English majors translate to the field—whatever that field may be—and identify and utilize opportunities for mentoring and professional skill building that good internships deliver. Course readings and discussions guide students to develop critical and practical perspectives about the work they produce and the workplace culture they encounter, and writing workshops hone students' technical and professional writing. The course includes a strong reflective component to encourage students to consider their personal and professional development and to explore career goals.

Attributes: Media and Non-Literary Analysis; Experiential Learning graduation requirement

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Inside the Apple core —

Apple releases eight small ai language models aimed at on-device use, openelm mirrors efforts by microsoft to make useful small ai language models that run locally..

Benj Edwards - Apr 25, 2024 8:55 pm UTC

An illustration of a robot hand tossing an apple to a human hand.

In the world of AI, what might be called "small language models" have been growing in popularity recently because they can be run on a local device instead of requiring data center-grade computers in the cloud. On Wednesday, Apple introduced a set of tiny source-available AI language models called OpenELM that are small enough to run directly on a smartphone. They're mostly proof-of-concept research models for now, but they could form the basis of future on-device AI offerings from Apple.

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Office hours with… santiago acosta.

Santiago Acosta (Photo by Dan Renzetti)

Santiago Acosta left his native Venezuela in 2011 to continue his graduate studies in the United States. He started out at San Francisco State University, then headed to the opposite side of the country to do his Ph.D. at Columbia University, and then postdoc work at SUNY-Old Westbury on Long Island.

Now an assistant professor in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese in Yale’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences, where he specializes in modern and contemporary Latin American literature and visual arts, Acosta says he returns to Venezuela most every year, even as the country has plunged into economic and social turmoil under an authoritarian regime.

“ My parents are there, and I don’t want to lose my connection with the country,” he said. “I stay in touch with researchers there, with writers, with cultural institutions that are working on many interesting initiatives. And I try to collaborate with them if I can.”

We caught up with Acosta for the latest edition of Office Hours, a Q&A series that introduces Yale newcomers to the broader university community.

What is your current research focus?

Santiago Acosta : My book project examines how culture and aesthetics engage in and respond to large environmental transformations. Specifically, it studies the relation between the cultural field and the oil state in Venezuela during the 1970s. This was the period of the great oil bonanza in Venezuela. Conflicts in the Middle East led to the 1973 oil crisis and oil-producing countries benefited from that. Venezuela was rich, and the country launched a huge modernization program, taking advantage of that windfall. The government invested quite a lot of money in public art, museums, publishing houses, stipends for artists. I studied a few cases, one related to public abstract art that was incorporated into new infrastructure and urban modernization projects.

Another example has to do with urban photography and how the state financed photography books about Caracas, the capital city, which reflected the environmental and social changes of the time. The second part of the book deals with the artistic responses to the downfall of the oil boom in the 1980s.

You’re also a published poet. Does your poetry have an environmental focus?

Acosta : Yes, ecological thinking has always been present in my poetry, but especially in my most recent collection, “The Coming Desert.” It’s coming out in a bilingual edition this year. It has to do with the post-apocalyptic imagery that haunts the present and the possibility of ecological catastrophe that’s unfolding every day. I play with that sense of ecological dread— maybe trying to exorcize it through my writing — often in connection with the political crisis in Venezuela, which is an important topic for me. I make that connection between the authoritarian decay in Venezuela and the global environmental crisis.

What are you currently teaching?

Acosta: I’m teaching an undergraduate class about energy in Latin America, seen through art and literature. It’s a history of the relation between energy and capitalist development in Latin America during the 20th and 21st centuries. I start with manifestations of oil capitalism in the early 20th century. We talk a lot about how some artists and intellectuals have represented the world of oil in their work. We also look at the ecological impact of hydroelectric dams and how some artists have approached this in their work. I’m also teaching a graduate seminar that introduces students to recent scholarly, literary, and artistic works in the environmental humanities with a focus on Latin America.

What are your interests outside of work?

Acosta: Reading and writing poetry are deeply personal practices that I treasure. Also, I’m a big fan of music. I collect vinyl records. I like jazz, Latin American music, classic rock, indie rock, African music. I also spend a lot of time playing electric and acoustic guitar. I have many interests!

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Office Hours with… Santiago Acosta
It has to do with the post-apocalyptic imagery that haunts the present and the possibility of ecological catastrophe that's unfolding every day. I play with that sense of ecological dread— maybe trying to exorcize it through my writing — often in connection with the political crisis in Venezuela, which is an important topic for me.