English Literature Research

Ideas for how to write a literature paper:

1. Thematic analysis: close reading of how the same idea or message recurs throughout a piece of literature 

2. Literary device analysis: how a certain element, such as metaphor or symbolism, is used to get across a theme

3. Historical context analysis: how history can shed light on the piece of literature

4. Biographical analysis: how an author's life may have influenced and sheds light on his/her literature

5. Influence analysis: how other authors have influenced the piece

6. Theory: using a theory such as ecocriticism or Freud's "uncanny" to analyze a piece, while still focusing on the text

7. Answering a difficult question of interpretation: making an argument about something that is ambiguous.

8. Social themes analysis: how the author critiqued society's strictures, wrong ideas, or unfairness towards a certain group
9. Innovation and quality: showing how a certain piece was innovative compared to what came before.

10. Textual and Manuscript Questions: which is the best, most authentic edition to use; is it as the author intended?

11. Literary History: who was the first to use iambic pentameter or rhyme in English?  How did a certain genre develop?