Term paper topics, whether funny or serious, should be relevant to course material. If you fail to relate a humorous topic clearly to course concepts, your teacher may assign a poor grade despite her sense of humor. Use your textbook to find ideas for funny topics that can also fulfill the assignment successfully. You might, for example, notice an illustration of a humorous 19th-century political cartoon in your American history textbook. Consider focusing your paper on cultural perceptions of similar political cartoons within a specific time period. If you are concerned about your topic's relevance, consult your teacher before attempting to write the paper.
Funny research paper topics may involve controversial or sensitive issues, so it is important to evaluate your topic for appropriateness before your begin writing. Some topics may be inappropriate when undertaken from a specific angle, and others may be inappropriate altogether. For example, an appropriate yet humorous psychology paper might describe ineffective medieval mental health treatments that today's society would view as bizarre. However, "Funny Things That Schizophrenic People Do" would be an inappropriate topic because of its offensiveness toward individuals suffering from mental disorders. Refrain from writing content that could be interpreted as discriminatory, threatening or otherwise harmful. Consult your teacher if you have any doubts about the appropriateness of your content.
When writing a research paper on a funny topic, never compromise the quality of your research for the sake of humor. Do not limit the scope of your research to sources that approach your topic in a humorous manner. For example, if you are writing a political science paper about funny statements made by U.S. presidents, locate sources that offer serious political analysis on these statements. Keep in mind that the purpose of your research paper is to demonstrate extensive knowledge of your topic, and limiting your research to solely comedic sources can compromise the legitimacy of your work.
Development of a strong thesis statement and sound argumentation is a central goal for any research paper. Choosing a funny topic for your paper can present challenges to this end. Humorous content can overpower information that is vital to your argument. For example, if you are writing a literature paper about satires, devoting too much space to funny quotations can distract the reader from your argument that, for instance, "Satires are effective because of the use of hyperbole." However, humor can enhance your argument when used skillfully. Analyzing examples of humorous reactions to hyperbole in satires can support your argument as opposed to inhibiting it.