Choosing a classic novel to analyze is one of the most basic English paper topics you can write about. When selecting a novel, it is wise to focus on one you are very familiar with, preferably a book you have read a number of times and already have evolving thoughts and opinions on. When writing about a fiction novel, ensure to write a breakdown on the novel's characters, plot and talk about any themes the narrator may have alluded to through the book.
Non-fiction books are real-life stories that are often a biographical look at a person or an event. Writing about a non-fiction book for a college essay is an ideal project, as the non-fiction nature of the book means you should be able to find further research about the person or topic the book is focusing on. When writing an essay about a non-fiction book, do further research so that you fully understand the subject of the book and then look at how the writer presents the information.
Poetry is a major type of English narrative and is a viable topic for a college essay. The short nature of poems means you can cover a lot of ground in one paper. You must first decide if you will write about a number of different poems and poets in your essay, an anthology of poems by one poet or analyze one single poem. A feasible way to structure this type of essay would be to talk about imagery and how the poet's allusion evoke different senses and feelings.