descriptive essay examples about an event

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Descriptive Essays

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The Modes of Discourse—Exposition, Description, Narration, Argumentation (EDNA)—are common paper assignments you may encounter in your writing classes. Although these genres have been criticized by some composition scholars, the Purdue OWL recognizes the wide spread use of these approaches and students’ need to understand and produce them.

What is a descriptive essay?

The descriptive essay is a genre of essay that asks the student to describe something—object, person, place, experience, emotion, situation, etc. This genre encourages the student’s ability to create a written account of a particular experience. What is more, this genre allows for a great deal of artistic freedom (the goal of which is to paint an image that is vivid and moving in the mind of the reader).

One might benefit from keeping in mind this simple maxim: If the reader is unable to clearly form an impression of the thing that you are describing, try, try again!

Here are some guidelines for writing a descriptive essay.

• Take time to brainstorm

If your instructor asks you to describe your favorite food, make sure that you jot down some ideas before you begin describing it. For instance, if you choose pizza, you might start by writing down a few words: sauce, cheese, crust, pepperoni, sausage, spices, hot, melted, etc. Once you have written down some words, you can begin by compiling descriptive lists for each one.

• Use clear and concise language.

This means that words are chosen carefully, particularly for their relevancy in relation to that which you are intending to describe.

• Choose vivid language.

Why use horse when you can choose stallion ? Why not use tempestuous instead of violent ? Or why not miserly in place of cheap ? Such choices form a firmer image in the mind of the reader and often times offer nuanced meanings that serve better one’s purpose.

• Use your senses!

Remember, if you are describing something, you need to be appealing to the senses of the reader. Explain how the thing smelled, felt, sounded, tasted, or looked. Embellish the moment with senses.

• What were you thinking?!

If you can describe emotions or feelings related to your topic, you will connect with the reader on a deeper level. Many have felt crushing loss in their lives, or ecstatic joy, or mild complacency. Tap into this emotional reservoir in order to achieve your full descriptive potential.

• Leave the reader with a clear impression.

One of your goals is to evoke a strong sense of familiarity and appreciation in the reader. If your reader can walk away from the essay craving the very pizza you just described, you are on your way to writing effective descriptive essays.

• Be organized!

It is easy to fall into an incoherent rambling of emotions and senses when writing a descriptive essay. However, you must strive to present an organized and logical description if the reader is to come away from the essay with a cogent sense of what it is you are attempting to describe.

Free Event Essay Examples & Topics

An essay describing certain events that happened to you or other people is called an event essay. It doesn’t matter if the situation you’re writing about happened to you or not since your overall task does not change. This task can be a challenging one. You need to include the illustrative details of the event to make the readers feel like they’re experiencing the event firsthand. It needs to be more than a mere description of an event and contain elements of the narrative style.

Two paper types are the most common for the task.

A narrative essay is designed to tell a story; think of it as a review of an event. It will try to persuade rather than describe a situation. Such papers are written in first-person, which is usually not acceptable for essay writing.

A descriptive essay should convey a description of an event. You can start by sharing some details of the situation, providing colorful characterizations. That is to say, you draw an illustrative picture of the event but in words.

On this page, our writers have combined a list of event essay examples on various topics. You will find the guidelines for writing papers about current situations and issues. Besides, you’ll discover what events can lay the foundation for a great essay.

How to Write a Current Event Paper

Neither narrative nor descriptive essays can be simply subjective. You have to research the event you’re trying to convey, not mess the facts and details. Of course, there is no way to represent an event in a completely objective manner, but fact-checking never hurt anyone.

To write an excellent event essay, follow these steps:

Step 1: Choose the event.

Look for an event that you can describe in the form of an essay. You can do that by looking at reputable news sources. Ensure that the articles you are examining are fresh and up-to-date.

Step 2: Do your research.

Start your research by reading the picked articles several times. Ask yourself questions about the events such as:

• What happened?
• When did the situation occur?
• Where did it happen?
• Who was involved?
• What was the result?

Make sure not to plagiarize when you write your essay. If you use direct or indirect quotes, don’t forget to include proper citations.

Step 3: Describe the event.

After you are done with the initial research, you can start by describing the event. Answer all the questions you have come up with. If you think you don’t have enough information, consult other sources: documentaries, journals, diaries, etc. Present several points of view and perspectives to make your description more accurate.

Step 4: Outline your essay.

By writing an outline, you can effectively prepare your thoughts and ideas. Creating a structure is an excellent way to logically connect the information from different sources and your own story.

Step 5: Write and cite.

At this point, you have done all the needed research and outlined your arguments. It’s time to create a description of the event. So, the last step is to compose it and cite your sources.

7 Current Events to Write about

If you are assigned to elaborate on current events, here are some notorious occasions happening today. We’ve selected a few, but there are many more that you can find.

So, here are current events to write about:

• Is the US economy becoming stronger or weaker in 2021?
• How will COVID-19 affect the labor market around the world?
• Can China take over the world economically in the next decade?
• Does international aid hurt African countries?
• What sport should be introduced to the 2022 Olympics?
• Can India become the next superpower in the post-COVID world?
• Is racism a problem in sports in American colleges?

15 Event Essay Topics

As you could imagine, any good paper starts with a good idea. Additionally, any good idea for an event essay begins with the properly picked situation. We’ve selected fifteen topic ideas that are designed to inspire and encourage.

Check this list and find a perfect event essay topic:

• Describe a life-changing event or experience that impacted you or your behavior in a significant way.
• Tell about an experience when you overcame a fear or phobia and how it happened.
• Remember a school event you are ashamed of.
• Describe your experience attending a concert, a cultural event, or a festival and your emotions.
• Try to think about your childhood heroes and how they changed your life.
• Describe your feelings during the moment you understood someone lied to you.
• Retell your experience solving a problem or a dilemma.
• Recall some of the lessons you learned by helping others.
• Do you remember how you found out you will have a sibling? Describe your feelings, thoughts, and how your parents told you.
• Write a paper about the first time you went abroad.
• What is the most famous person you have ever met, and how did it happen?
• In this essay, write about a memorable event that broke your heart.
• What was the saddest day of your life so far? What upset you that day?
• What about the happiest day of your life? What significant event has happened?
• Describe an unexpected event or a day you have felt humiliated and ashamed.

Thank you for reading the article till the end. We hope you find it helpful, and it will inspire you to write the event essay in the best way possible. Share it with those who may need our advice, and check the samples below.

66 Best Essay Examples on Events

Planning a birthday party for a girl child, corporate hospitality event planning.

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Will Smith vs. Chris Rock at the Academy Awards

Expo 2020 dubai: the event of global scale, school fundraiser event: conventional foodservice, black friday: positive and negative sides, festivals and their importance for modern culture, ramadan celebration: the religious festival, “newport jazz 2021”: the art event, virtual event venues: benefits and challenges, the grand opening of the new university library: in different media sources, the woodstock music festival’s organizational challenges, sarah kwon’s and alicia batice speech: critique, the negative social impacts of “tomorrowland music festival”, tour de france: production of a creative event.

• Words: 1000

The Orange F.O.O.D Week Festival in Australia

• Words: 2082

Planning the Banquet in the Cape Bretoner Room

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Different Types of Modern Awards Review

Hallmark events analysis and discussion.

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Wedding in Seattle: Event Feasibility Study

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Independent Arts and Crafts Festival: Event Safety

Arts and crafts festival event, flavours of chittering food & wine festival: analysis.

• Words: 1777

Benefits of a Non-Profit Bookfair Festival for a Major US City

Event management: organizing a sporting event.

• Words: 1011

Melbourne Food and Wine Festival in Australia

• Words: 3686

Newspaper Articles on Financial Accounting Analysis

• Words: 2099

Greenpeace Foundation’s Creative Events Management

Jazz music concert and theatrical performance, event management obstacles: electricity supply absence, strategic approaches for global events.

• Words: 3787

Business Plan: Event Management in Bottaccio

• Words: 3011

Entertaining Process and Requirements

Dubai jazz festival press release, “the world of dance” event, richmond folk festival performances, event planning and implementation: wedding.

• Words: 1620

Henna Night Event Cost Estimation

Made in america musical festival planning, event management in the uk and russia.

• Words: 1947

Public and Private Sector Events Organization

Salford christmas land project and event management.

• Words: 2476

Festival Organization Service Operations

• Words: 1776

The World Expo 2020 in Dubai: Pros and Cons

The 2014 joondalup festival details, event planning: “portfolio in motion uncut”, national day of the uae at zayed university, could the 2022 world cup really move from qatar.

• Words: 2757

International Cultural, Sports and Business Events

• Words: 1390

Events: E3’s and Comic-con’ Conventions

• Words: 1900

Events: Expo 2020 in Dubai

• Words: 2235

Music Event: Eurovision Song Contest 2014

Charity race event organization, woodstock music festival.

• Words: 2313

Retailing Event Concept Plan

• Words: 1512
• Words: 2238

Wedding planning project

• Words: 4267

The Washington DC Auto Show: Brightest Event in Automotive Industry

• Words: 1085

Winchester’s Bid to Host the 7th World Summit on Art & Culture 2017: A Critical Analyses of Strengths & Weaknesses

• Words: 4187

The Geneva International Motor Show

• Words: 1965

Attend a Cultural Event: Different Ethnic Communities’ Identities

Woodstock: peace, love and rock n’ roll.

• Words: 1653

Lantern Festival and Rice Ball

• Words: 1131

Third Annual Bay Area Travel and Adventure Show

Organising a new year party.

• Words: 1385

Festival in Greektown, Chicago:

How to Write a Descriptive Essay: Full Guide With Tips

In this article, we examine the descriptive essay and present a step-by-step writing guide. Stick around for helpful writing tips near the end! Also, check out custom writers at EssayPro — political science essay service, if you need private tutoring or essay editing.

What is a Descriptive Essay?

The definition of a descriptive essay is a type of composition or paper which describes an object, person, process, or event. The writer’s goal is to create a vivid reading experience, or to show instead of tell (metaphorically).

Descriptive writing usually appeals to the five senses: taste, touch, smell, hearing, and sight. (Ex: Jack’s coffee mug exploded into tiny shards of glass, catching the attention of everyone at the office.) Always appealing to the senses is key to writing a good descriptive essay.

When writing a descriptive essay, your goal will be to paint a comprehensive picture for the reader by appealing to the five senses. Last but not least, your work should have a purpose. It could be anything from a lesson you learned from an experience, to a story of how an object impacted your life. It’s all about making your bright ideas come to life.

Difference Between a Description and a Descriptive Essay

When writing this type of paper, you should know the difference between a description and a descriptive essay. A description can be just a simple paragraph, or several ones with no specific structure, meanwhile, a descriptive essay has five or more paragraphs and a clear and complete structure. A descriptive essay is usually written coherently, has a good thesis statement at the end of the introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion. A description however, does not necessarily have a structure. Its main purpose is to just describe an object, or something else, without having any extra academic layers.

The Issues that Could be Described in Your Paper

• A person. In this paper, you can talk about a person. It can range from simply writing about their appearance to more complex descriptions like actions, behaviours, mood, and qualities of your chosen individual.
• A place. The main thing you should do when describing a place in your work is to describe it interestingly and originally. Your reader(s) should feel, for example, the beauty of your chosen cities—perhaps New York or Rome.
• An event. Here you need to describe the story of what happened. It can be your last vacation, concert, wedding, anniversary, summer music festival, graduation day, or so on.
• An animal. In this type, you need to describe the animal. It may be its appearance, behaviour, or biology.
• An occupation. Here you need to write about a job or occupation.
• A behaviour. This is the type of descriptive writing you should go for if you would like to write about someone’s behaviour. Perhaps you want to describe the strange behaviour of your friend, or highlight how certain people act under different conditions.

Two Classic Approaches to the Descriptive Essay

1. Personal Essay

Here you need to describe an experience using your feelings and responses. This work can awake empathy in readers. It can also be vague and disorganized. If you want to write a good personal essay, you should try to focus only on those aspects that most fully express your experience. Do not shy away from vivid, evocative language in this type of assignment.

A few examples of personal essay topics might be:

• Describing the experience of swimming in the azure sea in summer
• Explaining your favourite movie and its impact on you
• Reflecting on your birthday and all the things that have shaped you in the past

2. Formal Description

This type of descriptive writing resembles an argumentative essay. Your main goal should be communicating a set of key points or describing something in detail—according to a clear structure. Rather than focusing on your own experience, you need to use specific categories of information to provide the fullest possible portrait of what you are describing. This approach can also be engaging, especially when the reader is more curious about the subject of the paper than the writer's response to it. Still, try not to make it dull with too formal language.

Topics for formal descriptions can include:

• A descriptive essay about climate change, politics, or historical events.
• A news story that provides a summary of an event or information about the place where it occurred.

Descriptive Essay Topics & Ideas

Finding descriptive essay topics isn’t hard. You can describe pretty much anything—from your favourite car to today’s weather. We’ve gathered some ideas to help you get started. Hopefully, you’ll find good descriptive essay topics to spark your imagination.

Describe a Person

Pick a person who you know well—doing so gives you a lot to write about. Choose from family members, friends, teachers, etc. You can even write about a celebrity who exposes most of their private life to the media: The Kardashians, Kanye West, or Taylor Swift for instance. A famous superhero like Spider-Man is also interesting. Such fictional figures have undergone many character studies from both academic and non-academic perspectives.

Examples: Why my father is my favourite person. How Kim Kardashian changed my life.

Describe an Object or a Place

You may also describe an object or a place with which you have a special connection. This could be your high school, a playground, or a toy which used to scare you as a kid. Fictional places also count!

Examples: My native city – Paris My trip to London

Describe an Emotion

Remember the most sincere emotion you’ve experienced and turn it into a descriptive essay writing. You may choose a strong feeling like anger, happiness, loss, desire, or rage. It doesn’t have to be a personal emotion, it could be an observed one.

Examples: How love changed me Hatred and love – how they are similar

You can also write a descriptive essay about anything you can describe according to human senses: touch, sight, taste, smell, or hearing.

Creating a Descriptive Essay Outline

When thinking about descriptive essay writing, remember that a structured paper outline is your golden ticket. Not only does it help you organize thoughts, but it will also help your essays flow better.

A descriptive essay outline is composed of the following:

• An introduction
• Hook sentence
• Context/Background information
• Thesis statement
• Body paragraphs
• Topic sentence
• Sensory details
• Actual details
• A conclusion
• Summary of all main points
• Clincher Statement

It is important to spend enough time considering the victim of description because all of your illustrations will be based around it.

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Introduction

The introduction serves to introduce your subject to the reader and give them enough context to fully understand your work—but keep it brief and interesting for the reader(s). When learning how to write a descriptive essay introduction, remember – the first paragraph of your paper is the part that can make your descriptive essay stand out from the others.

As with any college paper, a descriptive essay introduction must contain the following points:

• Hook Sentence: Although the entire paper should be full of exciting and vivid descriptions, grabbing the reader's attention from the very beginning is ideal.
• Context/Background Information: Tell the reader what you’re about to describe and explain why it is crucial to you. Give them a brief context for your paper.
• Thesis Statement: The descriptive essay thesis should be a short yet concise summary of the work. It must include the subject of your description, and your purpose for describing it.

For further information on how to write a thesis for a descriptive essay, check out the examples below.

Place. If you were to write about Buckingham Palace: “Even though the monarchy is long gone, Buckingham Palace serves to remind us of the aesthetic beauty which that era had built.” Person. For describing Spider-Man: “The defining characteristics of Spider-Man are his youthfulness, New York City, and the fact that he talks to himself more than Hamlet.” Emotion. A piece about a personal experience of fear: “For many reasons, the dark forest is my greatest fear, though not a fear which I would necessarily like to venture into.”

Body Paragraph(s)

There are usually three body paragraphs in a paper. They cover three different points or arguments. How many body paragraphs to include in your descriptive essay is entirely up to you—or your professor. Sometimes it only takes a paragraph to tell a story, while other times it takes books.

How to write a body paragraph:

• Start with a topic sentence. ex. The orange looks familiar; it is a round citrus fruit whose colour matches its name.
• Add sensory details. When describing the orange, appeal to relatable senses.
• Include actual details. Always include descriptive information within your body paragraphs. Finish a body paragraph by introducing the next. Transition sentences are essential because they create immersion within your writing. Your writing will become better and it won’t appear as if you are reading a list of facts.

The descriptive essay is one type of 5 paragraph essay , which is the most common type of essay a student may encounter.

According to the descriptive essay format, your conclusion should be a summary of all of the main points in the body text. It is a good idea to write a final sentence that relates to the main point of your paper. Once this is done, the paper is now complete. We advise that you proofread your descriptive essay to correct any grammatical errors.

Try to incorporate the following into your conclusion:

• The first thing to do at the end is to reflect on the initial purpose of the work. Spill the beans on why you decided to write about this subject, and how this subject has affected your life. An article about reflection paper may also be helpful to you.
• Signify the Importance of the Details: Go over some key moments of the paper. Give a summary of what you have covered, and prepare the audience for the clincher statement.
• Clincher Statement: The clincher is the final sentence that reinforces your paper’s overall purpose or leaves your audience with an intriguing thought, question, or quote. You’ve probably spent a lot of time thinking of a hook to pull the audience in. Do not allow the paper to escape your audience’s thoughts right after they have finish reading it.

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Writing and Reviewing Your Descriptive Paper Writing

Writing the paper consists of the following stages:

• Pre-writing stage. Here you need to examine all of the sources you have and define if they all offer important information on the topic of your choice.
• Writing the beginning. You should start your paper with a powerful, engaging hook that will grab the readers' attention. It may include an unusual metaphor or an interesting literary quote.
• Creating the first draft of your descriptive essay. Here is where you just need to write down all of the words that come to your mind; you'll have a chance to narrow down your ideas later.
• Adding details to your paper with the help of enriched English vocabulary and online dictionaries. Use your English vocabulary to add missing feelings, like hearing, to help make the descriptive essay leave a lasting impression.
• Revising and editing the paper with the help of different free online grammar checking tools.

Let’s talk in detail about the final step here: reviewing your paper. After you finish writing, take a break. It’s always best to clear your mind before editing your paper.

When you come back to your descriptive essay, here are some questions to ask yourself:

• Have you provided enough context in the introduction?
• Is the paper easy to read?
• Does the thesis relate to the content of the paper?
• Does the paper feature vivid, descriptive language?
• Will the clincher statement leave a lasting impact?
• Are there enough details to make it possible for your readers to obtain a full and vivid perception of your description?
• Does each section of your work focus on one aspect of your description?
• Does your paper possess any unnecessary details in your description that can be thrown away or replaced by more meaningful information?
• Overall, if you were the reader, does this paper make sense to you?
• Are there any problems with grammar and punctuation?

Sometimes web applications like Grammarly or the Hemingway app can help you sort your grammar. However, it’s always best to master the rules of grammar yourself and become the best writer you can be. Once you’re convinced you have the final draft, read it out loud or give it to a friend to read. Sometimes you need some constructive criticism to tie up loose ends in your writing. You can also trust the professionals and buy cheap essay on EssayPro service.

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‍ Descriptive Essay Good Examples

This is a commonly assigned and most opted-for form of an essay. Why not have a look at our written descriptive essay examples. In this section, you can find some of the top examples and quotes followed by some critique.

The writer of this descriptive essay example explains how there was a lot of life before humans existed. The world was full of Blue Jays and North Cardinal birds that most probably ate pansy seeds as a stable diet. In this example, it is clear that the writer has put himself/herself in the perspective of someone in the far future. He/she describes how we were in the 21st century, and how we used the poles as communication portals.

In the eyes of the untrained, a rugby game is just a bunch of huge individuals senselessly fighting one another, struggling to move an oval ball inch by inch down a field full of mud towards the goal line of the opposing team. Players don’t put on pads or get a timeout in the event of injuries. Yet rugby is a different thing, a gentleman’s sport—to those who understand it. While rugby appears rough, its players maintain good respect toward both teammates and opponents.

It may be possible that you are not the expressive word artist in the world. If you are looking for someone to help with dissertation , we have numerous writers that have vivid word lingo flowing through their blood.

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Narrative Essays: to tell

Descriptive essays: to describe, expository essays: to uncover and clarify, persuasive essays: to convince.

1. Choose a topic.

2. construct your thesis statement., 3. gather the necessary information and ideas., 4. create an outline., 5. proofread., 6. finalize your composition., establish a connection with your writing., spend time to think., apply the word vomit technique., take a break before finalizing it., descriptive essay ideas about people.

• Description of your favorite music genre
• Treating a popular villain as a good protagonist
• The right words that would compliment your singing idol
• Why your squad is the best?
• What qualities should your future spouse possess?
• Why your aunt is the best?

Descriptive Essay Ideas About Places

• Why Manila Bay has the best sunset?
• The perfect adjective to describe your hometown
• Details on your recent vacation destination
• Why your favorite coffee shop is worth the visit?
• What makes Paris unique?
• The best description for your workplace

Descriptive Essay Ideas About Things

• Why your wedding ring is the most luxurious?
• The description of your favorite blanket
• What makes your research paper great?
• Description of your proposed food product
• Perfume: more than just the bottle
• Why your bag is great

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Descriptive Essay

Descriptive Essay - A Complete Guide

10 min read

Published on: Aug 18, 2018

Last updated on: Feb 28, 2023

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Are you eager to write compelling descriptive essays but don't know how to start? 

A descriptive essay describes something - a person, an event, a place, or a personal experience in detail. The purpose of this essay is to provide enough detail about the topic to enable the reader to picture it.

If you want to learn how to write an excellent descriptive essay, this blog is for you!

Here’s a complete guide to help you write good descriptive essays. Along with a step-by-step guide, you’ll also get impressive example essays to learn from.

So let’s get into it!

What Is a Descriptive Essay?

A descriptive essay gives a detailed description of the topic and paints a picture with words in the reader’s mind. It could be about an object, place, person, emotion, situation, or anything. 

It is used to sharpen the analytical abilities of the students, which is helpful in further education and professional life. Therefore, it is often given to students in high school and college.

According to the descriptive essay definition,

“It is a type of essay that is used to describe an event, a place, a person, or anything in detail.”

This essay encourages the student’s ability to create an image by appealing to the senses of the reader. 

Purpose of a Descriptive Essay

The purpose of writing a descriptive essay is to describe something such as a person, object, place, or situation.

Descriptive speech or essays give readers a clear picture of the essay subject. The writer should make use of vivid language to help the reader understand what the essay is all about.

It does not involve convincing readers or showing factual information to prove something like an  argumentative essay  does. Instead, it aims to show all the important details about the chosen subject to make the reader understand the subject easily.

Here’s a short video that explains descriptive writing:

Types of Descriptive Essay

Descriptive essays can come in two types: formal and personal. 

Personal Descriptive Essay

The personal descriptive essay is a subjective descriptive essay. It aims to describe the writers' own feelings and perceptions of the topic. 

It is often written in a first-person point-of-view, allowing readers to understand the writer's personal experiences.

Here are a few examples of personal essay topics:

• The moment that changed my life forever.
• My experience overcoming a fear or phobia.
• A significant challenge I faced and how I overcame it.
• My cultural or family background and how it has influenced me.
• A time I failed and what I learned from the experience.

Formal Descriptive Essay

The formal descriptive essay is an objective descriptive essay. It relies on facts and evidence to describe the object or event – without using any emotion or opinion from the writer. 

These essays are valuable in the sciences or other fields of study where finding accurate information is crucial. They are often used to write academic papers, such as research reports.

Some possible topics for formal descriptions could be:

• The architecture of a historical building
• The process of making a traditional dish
• The unique characteristics of a rare gemstone
• The layout and features of a city park
• The cultural significance of a religious monument

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Elements of a Descriptive Essay

There are five basic features of a descriptive essay: 

A descriptive essay involves arousing the emotions of the readers and creating an association with them. Sensory details paint a picture of the subject for the reader and engage their senses like sight, touch, smell, and taste.

Using figurative language is one of the main elements of a descriptive essay. The use of metaphors, similes, adjectives, adverbs, etc. creates the character sketch of the subject. This sketch helps the readers feel what the writer felt about the subject and helps him visualize the subject.

The central theme shapes and directs the essay’s content and helps organize the details. It should be well defined and focused on a single point.

The effect of your essay depends on the type of language that you have used in it. The language should emphasize the main theme and aim of the essay. Therefore, avoid using vague and ambiguous words.

An organized structure is an essential element of this essay. Also, the chronology, spatial location, and order play an important role.

How to Write a Descriptive Essay?

Writing an effective descriptive essay involves topic selection, creating an outline of parts of the descriptive essay, organizing ideas, and adding relevant information to the essay.

The following is the process of descriptive writing.

How to Start a Descriptive Essay 

1. choose a topic.

Choosing a good topic for your essay is important. The essay topic should be attractive so that it compels the reader to stay with you throughout the essay.

2. Create an Outline

Draft a  descriptive essay outline  to organize your information in a proper sequence. It will help you structure your essay and remind you to include all the sensory details.

3. Write a Descriptive Essay Introduction

The essay begins with an introduction. It introduces the main topic and includes a strong opinion that creates the first impression of the essay. The introduction gives a brief overview of what the essay is going to be about.

4. Craft an Informative Thesis Statement

A descriptive essay thesis statement defines the scope and purpose of the essay. It is a narrow subject line, which should be clear and precise. Write the statement in a creative way and choose descriptive words for it.

Creating mystery in your thesis statement attracts the reader to the body of your essay.

Writing the Body Paragraphs

The body paragraphs support the introduction and follow the direction as defined in the thesis statement. Here’s how you write a body paragraph:

• Use topic sentences as the first sentence of each paragraph. A topic sentence states the main point of a paragraph.
• Connect the topic sentence to the thesis.
• Present evidence and explain how it supports your argument in that paragraph.
• Organize your paragraphs properly in an orderly form, in case of experience and memories.
• Summarize the key points in each body paragraph.

Finally, make sure that body paragraphs are connected to each other through transition words or phrases.

Ending with a Strong Descriptive Essay Conclusion

The conclusion is the last part of the essay according to the descriptive essay format. This is your last chance to impress the reader.

It summarizes and provides a way forward from the essay. The following steps will help you write an excellent conclusion.

• Use the appropriate transition words such as “to finish with”, “in conclusion” and ‘lastly’ suggesting an end to the essay. 
• Summarize the main points of your essay in a clear and concise manner
• Discuss how the details from the body of your essay support the initial thesis statement.
• Offer final thoughts on the subject matter that will leave an impression on the reader. It could be food for thought or a call to action.

The last sentence of the essay should finalize the writer’s aim of writing the essay and provide an everlasting effect.

Descriptive Essay Topics

Whether you are writing about a person or a place, your topic should have good supporting points that explain the topic.

Choosing an engaging topic will develop curiosity and hook the reader to the last bit of the essay. Here we have prepared a list of amazing descriptive essay topics for you.

Descriptive Essay About a Place

• Depict the Lincoln Castle in your own words.
• What does the house of your dreams look like?
• Make a description of the Safari Park you visited last week.
• Describe a conference room situation for your colleagues.
• Describe how you imagine Niagara falls.

Descriptive Essay About a Memory

• Describe one of the earliest memories of your childhood.
• What is the happiest memory in your mind?
• How you have celebrated your best friend's birthday
• When I saw the apple plant seed
• The first time I went abroad

Descriptive Essay About a Person

• Portray Nelson Mandela as a role model.
• Explain how you imagine aliens to be like.
• Write a character sketch of a character from the play Hamlet.
• Describe one of your family members.
• A stranger I met in the lobby.

Descriptive Essay About an Object

• My lucky watch
• My favorite badminton racket
• The flask I broke
• The silk road
• The thing that you passionately wanted to buy

Descriptive Essay About an Emotion

• The feeling of love
• The sense of peace
• The thrill of fear
• The power of anger
• The beauty of joy

Descriptive Essay Topics for University Students

• Describe the feeling of attending your first college class.
• Illustrate the effects of living and studying on a college campus.
• Describe a meaningful experience you had with a professor in college.
• Illustrate the importance of participating in extracurricular activities during university years. 
• Describe the impact of financial aid and scholarships on college education.

Want more topics? We’ve got a list of hundreds of descriptive essay topics for you, so be sure to check them out. 

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Descriptive Essay Examples

You should read some good essay examples before writing your own essay. An essay example would help you demonstrate, compile, and organize your essay in a structured form.

Below we have provided some amazing examples to help you know the process.

A School Lunch Hall Descriptive Essay Example

The Weekend Market Descriptive Essay Sample

Descriptive Essay on Historical Place

Descriptive Essay on a Teacher that I Remember

Descriptive Essay on my Village

My Favorite Place Descriptive Essay

5 Paragraph Essay - Descriptive Essay PDF

The ultimate aim of this practice is to identify and learn different techniques for writing an impressive descriptive essay. Find more descriptive essay examples to read and learn from.

Tips for Writing a Descriptive Essay 

Here are some tips for writing a descriptive essay:

• Choose a specific topic: Your essay should focus on a specific person, place, object, or event that you can vividly describe.
• Use sensory details: Sensory details are descriptive words and phrases that help your reader experience the subject of your essay through sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch.
• Organize your essay: Your essay should have a clear introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Consider using a chronological or spatial organization to help your reader understand the sequence of events or the layout of the subject.
• Show, don't tell: Instead of simply telling your reader what you are describing, show them through specific examples and sensory details.
• Use figurative language: Similes, metaphors, and other forms of figurative language can help you convey the emotions and feelings associated with your subject.

Summing it up,

Descriptive essay writing is a skill that requires thorough practice. It involves the ability to craft an engaging story with vivid descriptions, sounding as realistic as possible.

The above-mentioned steps and examples are a great way for students to learn writing a descriptive essay.

However, if you still need expert help to write a flawless essay, we’ve got your back.

You can hire a custom descriptive essay writer from MyPerfectWords.com . They will make your essay writing process simple and smooth. 

MyPerfectWords.com  provides legitimate essay writing services to help you with your essays. 

Our  descriptive essay writing service  provides non-plagiarized essays and high-quality papers for you. 

Hire our essay writing service  now and get essay help from us at affordable prices.

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Descriptive Essay Writing

Descriptive Essay: Definition, Tips & Examples

Published on: Jun 21, 2023

Last updated on: Jul 21, 2023

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Many writers struggle to effectively convey vivid imagery and captivate readers through their descriptive essays.

The lack of proper guidance and techniques hinders writers from unlocking the full potential of their descriptive writing skills.

In this comprehensive blog, we aim to provide you with valuable insights, expert tips, and proven techniques to help you master descriptive essays.

We will guide you step-by-step, equipping you with the tools to create compelling and captivating essays.

Get prepared to transform your writing as we delve into the magic of descriptive essays.

Let's get started!

What is a Descriptive Essay?

A descriptive essay is a type of essay that asks the students to describe something, such as a person, place, incident, emotion, or event. It is a detailed description where the writer is painting a picture in words.

Different people have different thoughts and points of view. A descriptive essay allows you to explain your point of view in your own way. You should give a description of every aspect of the topic so that a reader can feel as if he has personally experienced that.

Two Classic Approaches to the Descriptive Essay

There are two main ways to write a descriptive essay: the personal essay and the formal description. Let’s discuss them in detail.

• Personal Essay

The best way to describe an experience using your feelings and responses would be through a personal essay. This work can awaken empathy in readers, but it's important not to make any mistakes or organize poorly.

Formal Description

Descriptive writing is a great way to show your readers what you're talking about. It resembles an argumentative essay because it has one main goal: communicating key points or describing something in detail.

Features of Descriptive Essay

There are five basic features of a descriptive essay that distinguishes it from other writing types.  Let's discuss them in detail.

• Sensory Details - A great descriptive essay appeals to the audience's emotions and forms an association for them. In this essay type, a writer paints a picture with words so they have to be really engaging and appealing to the senses.
• Central Theme - The content of your descriptive essay is shaped according to the central or major theme. Make sure to define the central theme explicitly and focus it on one single point.
• Figurative Language - A key to writing an impactful descriptive essay is to use figurative language throughout the content. Use metaphors, similes, adverbs, and adjectives to describe settings and characters.
• Precise Language - The vocabulary you use for the content should be appropriate and accurate. The language, as well as the tone, should reflect the major theme of the essay vividly.
• Organization of Ideas - Arrange all your ideas and information in a properly structured manner.  Make sure that your descriptive writing is based on these elements to ensure its effectiveness and success. 

Descriptive Essay Format

All formal writing types, including descriptive papers, require a proper format to be readable and understandable.

Therefore, before starting your essay, you should create an outline of your essay. It will help you organize your essay.

Below is the format of the descriptive essay outline.

Descriptive Essay Outline Template

How to Start a Descriptive Essay?

Writing a strong descriptive essay requires a writer to form a strong plan. Following are the steps involved in the pre-writing or planning procedure of a good descriptive essay:

1. Topic Selection

Usually, professors assign the topic for a descriptive essay. But, if you have a choice to select a topic, then you have a great chance to select something which you know a lot about.

Have a look at some popular descriptive essay topics.

Descriptive Essay Topics On Writing About A Person

• Describe your favorite person
• Describe your best friend
• Describe your favorite family member
• Describe your enemy
• Describe someone whom you love the most
• Describe your mother
• Describe your father
• Describe your family
• Describe your favorite brother
• Describe a person whom you idealize

Descriptive Essay Topics About an Event

• Describe your friend’s wedding
• Describe your college farewell
• Describe the last Christmas party
• Describe your brother’s bachelor party
• Describe your own wedding
• Describe the memorable concert you have attended
• Describe your last convocation
• Describe the best dinner party you have ever attended
• Describe the event you have attended where you were not invited
• Describe your last day at the office 

Descriptive Essay Topics About a Place

• Describe your favorite place
• Describe the place you have visited in the summer
• Describe your grandmama’s farmhouse
• Describe your hometown
• Describe your favorite college
• Describe your favorite vacation destination
• Describe your favorite tourist spot
• Describe your favorite museum
• Describe your dream house
• Describe a fancy place that you have created

2. Brainstorming

The next step is brainstorming about the selected topic. At this point, think of all the relevant points that exactly describe your topic.

3. Thesis Statement for Descriptive Essay

After the brainstorming session, develop a strong thesis statement . It is a very crucial part of the whole essay because it will be a prominent part of the essay.

How to Write a Descriptive Essay?

When you have drafted a plan for your essay, it is time to execute it effectively. The writing process of your essay will only get simpler if you have taken all the required pre-writing steps.

Follow the below-mentioned steps to finally begin your writing procedure for the descriptive essay: 

1. Introduction

An introduction is the entry point of your essay. It should be designed to grab the reader’s attention. Usually, it sets the mood for the entire essay. Do not put all the details here; just briefly introduce the main topic. Start the introductory paragraph with suspense so that you can capture the eye of the reader. You can even pose a question so that the reader tries to find the answer in your essay and continue reading.

The body part gives you the freedom to write the details about your selected topic. Here you have 3 to 4 paragraphs where you can paint a picture in the reader’s mind through vivid language, persuading dialogues, or images.

This part should support your thesis. Describe all the points in detail. The idea should come out at the beginning.

The paragraphs should be interlinked with good transition words . Organize your paragraphs in a way that makes sense.

3. Conclusion

It is the last chance to impress the reader. So, you need to pay all attention to this section. Restate your thesis statement and give a short reminder to the reader what the essay was required to cover. Make a good final statement so that the reader can leave thinking about your essay.

4. Proofreading

Proofread your essay to do a review. You can identify the mistakes and correct your tone.  Go through your essay 2 or 3 times so that you can identify all the mistakes and correct them before final submission.

Descriptive Essay Examples

Given below is a visual demonstration of how a descriptive essay typically looks!

If you’re still struggling, check out some more descriptive essay examples given below!

Descriptive Essay Example About a Person

Descriptive Essay Example About an Event

Descriptive Essay Example About a Place

For further information, check out this informative video below.

In conclusion, mastering the art of descriptive essays is within your reach.

By implementing the expert techniques and tips shared in this blog, you can elevate your writing to new heights.

Remember to practice and refine your skills, allowing your creativity to flourish.

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Our team of experienced writers is here to provide professional assistance. Whether it's your high school or narrative essay, we have got you covered!

Hire our writing service today to achieve your academic goals. Don't forget to try our AI writing tool for exceptional essays!

Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)

What are the 4 elements of descriptive writing.

The four elements of descriptive writing are:

What are the 2 types of description?

The two types of description are:

• Impressionistic

How many paragraphs is a descriptive essay?

The five-paragraph essay is a classic format that has been used for a descriptive essay. This format includes an introductory paragraph with the inclusion of a thesis statement, followed by three body paragraphs and a conclusion.

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Descriptive Essay Writing

Descriptive Essay Examples

Descriptive Essay Examples to Help You Write Better

Published on: May 31, 2019

Last updated on: Jan 5, 2023

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To write a good descriptive essay , you first need to understand what it is. Descriptive essays are written to describe something or someone in detail. In other words, they focus on the five senses: sight, smell, sound, touch, and taste.

By using all of your senses, you can create a vivid picture for your reader. It will leave them feeling like they were right there with you. If you're looking for some inspiration then take a look at some of the descriptive essay examples below.

It will give you some great ideas to write your descriptive essay. Also, it will help you see how to use different techniques to make your writing more engaging. So, let’s get started!

A descriptive essay is a type of essay that explains everything in detail. It describes an object, place, person, emotion, or experience through a vivid description. The writer provides sensory information appealing to the senses; sight, touch, smell, taste, and hear.

The descriptive essay follows a standard 5 paragraph outline. It has one introduction paragraph, three body paragraphs, and one conclusion paragraph. Here are some descriptive essay examples PDF that help you understand the basics of a descriptive essay.

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5 Paragraphs Descriptive Essay Example

The five-paragraph essay format is a typical way to write an academic paper.

• Introduction
• Body Paragraph 1
• Body Paragraph 2
• Body Paragraph 3

Here is an example of a descriptive essay written using the common 5 paragraph method.

Descriptive Essay Examples for Every Student

The following is a list of interesting descriptive essay examples for students at all levels. Check it out and learn how to write great papers that will get you an 'A+'.

Descriptive Essay Example for Grade 6

Some teachers assign descriptive essays to their students as a way of teaching them how to become better writers. Descriptive essays encourage students to see the world more analytically.

If you are a sixth-grader, this essay is a good example of how to write a descriptive essay.

Descriptive Essay Example for Grade 7

What makes a great descriptive essay? One that’s fun to read, of course! Here’s the best descriptive essay example for grade 7 students. Feel free to use it as a guide if you want to write your own.

Descriptive Essay Example for Grade 8

Here is a descriptive essay example for grade 8 students. It will guide you through the process of writing such an essay.

Descriptive Essay Example for Grade 9

Here is an example of a descriptive essay, which you can use to understand how such an essay should be written.

Descriptive Essay Example for Grade 10

Essay writing is an inevitable part of your academic life. You will probably have to write an essay for every class you take in your school career.

The descriptive essay example below is for grade 10. If you’re in the same grade, it might help you with your own assignment.

Descriptive Essay Example for Grade 12

If you’re a senior student looking to do some great descriptive essay writing, you’ve come to the right spot.

Use the following example as a guide and pay attention to word choice about how to write a successful essay.

Descriptive Essay Example for Middle School

The middle school essay is a great way to develop critical thinking and writing skills. This descriptive piece will teach what it takes for one's work to be engaging and informative as well!

Descriptive Essay Example for High School

Many high school students find descriptive essays a challenge. To write it easily, you can use the following example as a guide.

Descriptive Essay Example - College

Descriptive essays are assigned to students at all academic levels, from middle school through college. College students often receive writing assignments that ask them to describe a person, place, or event in detail. As they are students of higher educational levels, they are able to handle more challenging topics.

Look at the following example of a descriptive essay for college students and see how it is structured.

Descriptive Essay Example for University

When you are asked to write a descriptive essay, it means you will have to describe an object or scene. It’s a matter of setting the scene for the person reading it. It makes them feel as if they are present in the moment.

Here is an example of what a descriptive essay might look like at the university level.

Descriptive Essay Example About a Place

If you have a fun day trip, then a descriptive essay will help you recall all of the details. It will make your readers feel as if they were right there with you.

Here is an example of a descriptive essay about a place. Use it as a guide when you write such an essay.

Descriptive Essay Example About an Object

The following descriptive essay example about an object incorporates the elements of a well-written essay.

Take a look at this great example of a descriptive essay.

Descriptive Essay Example About a Person

Descriptive essays do a great job of allowing you to describe a person in vivid detail. Writing about a person can be written using all five human senses. This helps the reader imagine what you are describing as you write your essay.

Here is one of the best examples of descriptive essays about a person’s personality. Read it thoroughly and try to understand how a descriptive essay is written.

How to Start a Descriptive Essay? - Example

Are you stuck on how to start your descriptive essay? Here are a few tips that will help get you going. Take a look at it:

How to Write a Descriptive Essay? - Example

Have you ever had an assignment that asked you to write a descriptive essay? These essays are supposed to give the reader a detailed description of a topic or person. Sometimes, it can be difficult to write these effectively. However, with a little bit of planning and research, you can write a great essay!

Here is an example of how to write a descriptive essay in a simple and easy way.

Thesis Statement Descriptive Essay Examples

A good thesis statement can be hard to come up with, especially when you are writing a descriptive essay. Its main purpose is to describe something in detail, so creating concise and short thesis statements can be difficult.

Here is the sample of thesis statements in a descriptive essay that will surely help you get started!

Short Descriptive Essay Example

Here is a short descriptive essay example that you can use to help learn how to write your own.

Narrative and Descriptive Essay Examples

Writing a narrative descriptive essay can be a great way to share your experiences. It is about lessons you’ve learned along the way. Below is an example of a perfect narrative descriptive essay for inspiration to write your own.

Subjective Descriptive Essay Example

A subjective essay describes a personal experience, opinion, or evaluation. Descriptive essays include ones about lifestyles, backgrounds, and attitudes.

Here is an example of a subjective descriptive essay that you can look at to help in writing your own.

Objective Descriptive Essay Examples

Objective description essay focuses on the object being described and does not convey the writer's emotions, feelings, or personal reactions. This allows the reader to evoke its own feelings about what is being described. Here the writer uses sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell to bring a picture to life in the reader's mind.

Look at the below given example and see what this type of descriptive essay looks like.

Writing a descriptive essay can be a time-consuming challenge. It requires strong writing and critical thinking skills, along with the ability to visualize and present images in words.

But if you think wisely and apply your imagination, you can get over it easily. Find out how to write a descriptive essay by reading the short guide given below.

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How to Write a Descriptive Essay?

Writing descriptive essays require a writer to gain knowledge, observe the world around them, and develop imaginative skills. Here, writers use their five senses to give the reader a sense of who or what they're describing. This essay must use vivid and figurative language to help catch the reader’s attention.

Here are some simple steps to help you create an amazing descriptive essay.

1. Pick an Interesting Topic First, you need to choose an interesting descriptive essay topic that will allow you to write freely about it. But be sure not to choose a familiar one because that won't capture your readers' attention.

2. Make a Strong Thesis Statement A thesis statement is the heart of any essay. While planning a descriptive essay and choosing a topic, you need to set up a strong descriptive essay thesis statement.

A thesis statement is usually a sentence or two that explains the whole idea of your essay to the reader. It is stated in the introductory paragraph. A thesis statement must be eloquent, clear, and meaningful.

3. Gather Relevant Information After writing the thesis statement and introduction, it's time to move on to writing your body paragraphs.

Gather all relevant and necessary information on your topic. It will help to support your thesis statement in an essay. Make sure that you get your information from reliable sources.

Use some adjectives and adverbs to make your essay more vivid. Use sensory details like touch, taste, sight, and smell to bring more life to your scene.

4. Create an Outline An essay outline can help you organize your thoughts and provide a roadmap for your reader. In the writing outline, you need to write an introduction, thesis statement, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

5. Proofread Proofreading is a process in which the writer revises a written essay to eliminate any spelling or grammatical errors. Proofreading gives a document a professional touch, so it should always be done before submission.

The beginners might not be able to write a perfect essay on the first attempt. They might have to revise their essay several times, which is a waste of time.

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Well, hire a professional descriptive essay writer from a reliable academic writing service. A professional essay writer has a full grasp of every genre of essays and academic papers. So, whether you want to write an argumentative essay, expository essay, narrative essay, or any other essay.

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How to Write Descriptive Essay

The Cambridge English Dictionary defines the word describe as “to say or write what someone or something is like.” It is primarily using illustrative language to give a detailed account of something or someone. Descriptive writing is one of the most popular forms of essay writing and which students often encounter. This type of paper requires students to engage all the five senses of the reader, that is, sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste using literal tools, which we will discuss in detail in this article. Descriptive writing enables the audience to get a clear mental picture of the ideas that the author is trying to convey.

Like other forms of essay writing, there are dos and don’ts which act as a guide.

Page Contents

Here is a List of Dos to Create an Excellent Descriptive Essay

• Have a thesis statement . It is crucial that you identify the topic that you will be writing on and cite the subject matter. Even before your audience gets to the descriptive essay, the title should highlight the main point. The introductory paragraph should clearly tell readers what the essay is all about while the rest of the paragraphs ought to have other aspects that reiterate the thesis statement.
• Keep it precise and simple. Do not make it difficult for your reader to comprehend the point(s) that you’re communicating. Therefore, use simple words and well-constructed sentences. Avoid the use of too much jargon; overuse tends to make your essay incomprehensible. The best descriptive essay is often straightforward and clear.
• Employ the use of literal tools such as metaphors, similes, descriptive adjectives, idioms, and personification. They help create a sense of mystery and give your sentences some edge. The idea is to get the attention of your readers and keep him/her glued to your composition. Raise questions in their minds or make them eager to read further. This the surest way to guarantee that people will read your descriptive essay from the introduction to the last sentence in the conclusion.
• Evenly distribute the vital information throughout the essay. Majority of the best written descriptive essays have done precisely that. Although the title communicates the thesis statement, it should not render the reader satisfied and not interested in reading further. The same applies to the introductory paragraph.
• Have a catchy title for your descriptive essay. When the topic sentence is interesting, it captures the reader’s attention. Choose the details to include in the essay carefully.
• Do not offer your personal opinion or recommendation in the first paragraph(the samr thing you should do whike writing Philosophy Paper ). Therefore, you are not expected to provide an own account. Instead, give a detailed description of the subject matter. The best descriptive essay examples that you will come across use illustrative language to describe the topic rather than the authors’ opinion at the start of the composition.
• You can offer your personal opinion, but it should come out as a recommendation towards the conclusion of the descriptive essay.
• Create an outline for your essay.
• After you’re done writing, take a break then come back and reread your essay to point out the errors. Check for spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors. Also, check for sentence structure, and that your descriptive essay is organized and has flow.

Here are Some of the Don’ts When Writing Descriptive Essays

• Do not just tell your readers but show. Showing uses illustrative and descriptive language to engage the audiences’ senses, that is, taste, sound, touch, sight, and smell.
• Originality is a critical factor when it comes to essay writing. Therefore, do not plagiarize other people’s works. That will be committing academic suicide.
• Do not divulge all the information in the first paragraph or title. Instead, keep the reader guessing of what you’re going to say or describe through the composition. Therefore, regulate the information to be given and how it is written.
• Do not use clichés especially in academic writing. They tend to bore your reader and portray a lack of creativity on your part.

Descriptive Essay Sample 1

The example of descriptive essay below describes an event that took place. Take note of how the paragraphs are organized in chronological order, avoiding any confusion that might arise in the process. The first paragraph introduces the event; the body highlights more on it while the last section concludes the event and the essay.

The Science Contest

The silence was deafening, the only sounds that could be heard coming from our beating hearts. The moment we had eagerly waited for had finally arrived. Who was going to emerge victoriously? That was the question that lingered in everyone’s thoughts. I knew I had given it my whole and definitely deserved to emerge the winner. But was it enough? There is no denying that all participants had given their best. Therefore, we all had equal chances of taking the top position. The science contest was an annual event, where students from various schools within the districts competed in, all with an aspiration of emerging the top. The judges were going to have a tough time identifying the best student; we all had submitted amazing projects on rather exciting topics.

The dream and desire to emerge victoriously was something that started the moment I stepped foot in college. I remembered attending my first contest while I was a freshman, two years later, I would also get the opportunity to be a participant. In that period, the competition had grown bigger, better and more competitive. Standing in that room on that day awaiting the judges’ decision was almost enough for me. It had been a month-long completion, and a majority of the participants had already been eliminated, and only ten of us remained out of the over one hundred that had entered the competition.

Unlike other years where only a maximum of eight people entered the final round of the competition, they had made adjustments allowing two more individuals. That is how good everyone’s presentation was, to the extent that they had made changes to the rules. The more I reminisced about my journey to that moment, the more I got convinced that even if I did not get the top prize, getting to the top ten was an achievement in itself. Was I going to give up on my dream so easily? Or was it just a ploy to console myself just in case I did not get the top price?

This is the moment that I had been working towards, not just to emerge the best but I was sure my project would have an impact on the environment. I wanted that recognition because I believed it would propel my ideas further and into the world. I had wandered off, pondering on what could have been or might be, but I was not about to throw the towel in just yet. There was not much that I could do at that moment except hold on to the hope and belief that I had done a fantastic job.

The speeches were finally over, every judge commending us for the excellent work done while at the same time encouraging us to pursue more exciting concepts and projects that would positively impact humanity. The second and first runners-up were called out, the roar of claps and congratulatory messages thundered throughout the room. But just as quickly the place went silent as we waited for the victor to be called out.

“ Jane Russell” at first I could not believe my ears. I got slightly startled but quickly regained my composure. I had done it; I was the top student at the contest. All my sacrifice and commitment had finally paid off. It was a journey which I almost gave up on in every instance but chose not and instead put more dedication into it. I deserved every bit of the win just like my counterparts who had put their whole into it.

Descriptive Essay Example Two

The descriptive essay example below describes trade in the ancient times. The Silk Road is what connected the east to the west and vice versa. The author uses literal tools to make an essay that would otherwise be primarily factual and boring, be interesting and exciting while still highlighting the facts.

The Silk Road

Approximately 2200 years ago, the Silk Road was established. It was about 4000 miles long or more, connecting the East and West using both the land and sea. It was a trade route that connected the known world at that point in history. Well, today we boast of the internet, airplanes, ships, and electric trains as a means of connecting the world. The Silk Road got its name from silk, a rare but highly demanded commodity. This route encouraged interactions between civilizations through monetary and cultural exchanges.

The silk came from ancient China, in exchange for rare commodities from the known world. The Silk Road revolutionized the globe spreading both good and societal evils. Although it helped transform civilizations by offering them goods they lacked, they were those that took advantage and used it to spread evil. The route snaked through the valleys of the Tibetan plateau, the highest point on earth, the Himalayan mountain ranges, Indian subcontinent, the hot Arabian deserts to the Mediterranean Sea and the rest of Europe. It also ran on the Asian coastline connecting to the African coasts.

There is no denying that the Silk Road had a significant impact on the world. It brought an era of progress and prosperity for civilizations. For example, areas, where there were issues of food insecurity, would trade other goods for foodstuff. Other exchanges included religion, culture, and art. It is thanks to the Silk Road that the world was introduced to the pen, paper, and printers. Evils spread too in the form of Genghis Khan, a Mongolian dedicated to unleashing his wrath onto the world. However, the world was more focused on mutual co-existence and righteousness which outweighed the evils.

Although the Silk Road ceased to be effective and functional, it did have a significant effect on the world as we know it. It connected civilizations, promoted coexistence and encouraged learning from one another.

The descriptive essay samples provided offer a clear insight into how one can go about writing an essay. It is said that Rome was not built in a day, therefore do not expect to be perfect at the start. It takes lots of training to reach a point where your essays are up to par. It all begins in kindergarten, where you learn how to construct your first sentences. With the right determination, by the time you’re in college or universities authoring such compositions will be like a walk in the park for you. The dos and don’ts given will also guide you to polish your work.

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Descriptive Essay Example: Objective, Types and Ideas

Table of Contents

Descriptive essays are a type of essay in which a writer describes a specific subject in detail. The author uses vivid language to paint a picture in the reader’s mind by engaging the human senses.

Whether you are writing about a person or event, descriptive essays use strong adjectives and adverbs to present sensory details.

This article analyzes the descriptive essay and provides a detailed writing guidance with examples.

Objective and Purpose of a Descriptive Essay

A descriptive essay is a sort of composition or paper in which an object, person, process, or event is described . The writer’s objective is to produce a lively reading experience or to show rather than tell (metaphorically).

Typically, descriptive writing appeals to all five senses: taste, touch, smell, and sight. The key to creating a successful descriptive essay is to always appeal to the senses.

The purpose of a descriptive essay is to construct a complete image for the reader via the use of the five senses. Your work should have a purpose.

It might be anything, from a lesson you gained from an experience to a tale about how an object influenced your life. It is all about bringing your brilliant ideas to reality.

Description Vs. Descriptive Essay

When writing this form of paper, it is essential to understand the distinction between a description and a descriptive essay.

A description may consist of a single paragraph or numerous paragraphs with no particular organization. In contrast, a descriptive essay contains at least five paragraphs and a clear, comprehensive structure.

Typically, a descriptive essay is coherent and contains a strong thesis statement at the end of the introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion.

However, a description is not necessarily structured. Its primary objective is to provide a detailed description of an object or other subject, devoid of academic complexities.

Types of Descriptive Essay Example

1. personal essay.

You must describe your experience utilizing your emotions and reactions. Your essay should draw a reader’s empathy.

To write a successful personal essay, you should focus on only those specific components that convey your experience. In this type of work, you should use vivid, emotive language.

Examples of personal essays include:

• Providing a description of summertime swimming in the azure sea
• Describe your preferred film and its impact on you.
• Consider your last birthday and all that has shaped you over the previous years.

2. Formal Description

This descriptive writing is similar to an argumentative essay. Your primary objective should be conveying a list of critical points or discussing something in depth, using a clear framework.

You must use specific types of information rather than your personal experience to get the best idea of what you are describing.

This method can also be intriguing, mainly when the reader is more interested in the paper’s topic than the author’s response. Nonetheless, avoid using overly formal terminology.

Topics for formal descriptions can include:

• A descriptive essay on global warming, politics, or historical events.
• A news article that provides a summary of an event or location-specific information.

Description Essay Subject Theme and Ideas

Finding themes for descriptive essays is not difficult. You can describe virtually anything, from your favorite automobile to the current weather. We have compiled some suggestions to help you get started.

Hopefully, these descriptive essay ideas will inspire your creativity.

1. Describe a Person

Choose a person you know well, as this will provide you with much material to write about. Choose from family, friends, and teachers, among others.

You can even write about celebrities whose private lives are primarily visible to the public, such as the Kardashians or Taylor Swift.

A well-known superhero such as Spider-Man is also intriguing. Such fictional characters have been the subject of several academic and non-academic character analyses.

2. Describe an Item or a Location

You may also describe an object or location to which you have a unique relationship. This may be your high school, a playground, or a scary item from your childhood. Even fictional places count!

3. Describe a Feeling

Remember the most genuine emotion you’ve ever felt and write an essay describing it. You may select an intense emotion such as anger, happiness, loss, desire, or rage. It need not be a personal emotion; it can be an observed emotion.

You can create a descriptive essay about anything you can describe using the five human senses: touch, sight, smell, and hearing.

A descriptive essay uses techniques to make readers imagine a scene, a particular person, or a person’s characteristic .

Writing a descriptive essay is easier than you think. There is no right or wrong way. Start by focusing on your thoughts, feelings, and external activities. Pictures are beneficial when it comes to writing. Write about what you know and what you have experienced.

Abir Ghenaiet

Abir is a data analyst and researcher. Among her interests are artificial intelligence, machine learning, and natural language processing. As a humanitarian and educator, she actively supports women in tech and promotes diversity.

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• The four main types of essay | Quick guide with examples

The Four Main Types of Essay | Quick Guide with Examples

Published on September 4, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

An essay is a focused piece of writing designed to inform or persuade. There are many different types of essay, but they are often defined in four categories: argumentative, expository, narrative, and descriptive essays.

Argumentative and expository essays are focused on conveying information and making clear points, while narrative and descriptive essays are about exercising creativity and writing in an interesting way. At university level, argumentative essays are the most common type. 

In high school and college, you will also often have to write textual analysis essays, which test your skills in close reading and interpretation.

Table of contents

Argumentative essays, expository essays, narrative essays, descriptive essays, textual analysis essays, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about types of essays.

An argumentative essay presents an extended, evidence-based argument. It requires a strong thesis statement —a clearly defined stance on your topic. Your aim is to convince the reader of your thesis using evidence (such as quotations ) and analysis.

Argumentative essays test your ability to research and present your own position on a topic. This is the most common type of essay at college level—most papers you write will involve some kind of argumentation.

The essay is divided into an introduction, body, and conclusion:

• The introduction provides your topic and thesis statement
• The body presents your evidence and arguments
• The conclusion summarizes your argument and emphasizes its importance

The example below is a paragraph from the body of an argumentative essay about the effects of the internet on education. Mouse over it to learn more.

A common frustration for teachers is students’ use of Wikipedia as a source in their writing. Its prevalence among students is not exaggerated; a survey found that the vast majority of the students surveyed used Wikipedia (Head & Eisenberg, 2010). An article in The Guardian stresses a common objection to its use: “a reliance on Wikipedia can discourage students from engaging with genuine academic writing” (Coomer, 2013). Teachers are clearly not mistaken in viewing Wikipedia usage as ubiquitous among their students; but the claim that it discourages engagement with academic sources requires further investigation. This point is treated as self-evident by many teachers, but Wikipedia itself explicitly encourages students to look into other sources. Its articles often provide references to academic publications and include warning notes where citations are missing; the site’s own guidelines for research make clear that it should be used as a starting point, emphasizing that users should always “read the references and check whether they really do support what the article says” (“Wikipedia:Researching with Wikipedia,” 2020). Indeed, for many students, Wikipedia is their first encounter with the concepts of citation and referencing. The use of Wikipedia therefore has a positive side that merits deeper consideration than it often receives.

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An expository essay provides a clear, focused explanation of a topic. It doesn’t require an original argument, just a balanced and well-organized view of the topic.

Expository essays test your familiarity with a topic and your ability to organize and convey information. They are commonly assigned at high school or in exam questions at college level.

The introduction of an expository essay states your topic and provides some general background, the body presents the details, and the conclusion summarizes the information presented.

A typical body paragraph from an expository essay about the invention of the printing press is shown below. Mouse over it to learn more.

The invention of the printing press in 1440 changed this situation dramatically. Johannes Gutenberg, who had worked as a goldsmith, used his knowledge of metals in the design of the press. He made his type from an alloy of lead, tin, and antimony, whose durability allowed for the reliable production of high-quality books. This new technology allowed texts to be reproduced and disseminated on a much larger scale than was previously possible. The Gutenberg Bible appeared in the 1450s, and a large number of printing presses sprang up across the continent in the following decades. Gutenberg’s invention rapidly transformed cultural production in Europe; among other things, it would lead to the Protestant Reformation.

A narrative essay is one that tells a story. This is usually a story about a personal experience you had, but it may also be an imaginative exploration of something you have not experienced.

Narrative essays test your ability to build up a narrative in an engaging, well-structured way. They are much more personal and creative than other kinds of academic writing . Writing a personal statement for an application requires the same skills as a narrative essay.

A narrative essay isn’t strictly divided into introduction, body, and conclusion, but it should still begin by setting up the narrative and finish by expressing the point of the story—what you learned from your experience, or why it made an impression on you.

Mouse over the example below, a short narrative essay responding to the prompt “Write about an experience where you learned something about yourself,” to explore its structure.

Since elementary school, I have always favored subjects like science and math over the humanities. My instinct was always to think of these subjects as more solid and serious than classes like English. If there was no right answer, I thought, why bother? But recently I had an experience that taught me my academic interests are more flexible than I had thought: I took my first philosophy class.

Before I entered the classroom, I was skeptical. I waited outside with the other students and wondered what exactly philosophy would involve—I really had no idea. I imagined something pretty abstract: long, stilted conversations pondering the meaning of life. But what I got was something quite different.

A young man in jeans, Mr. Jones—“but you can call me Rob”—was far from the white-haired, buttoned-up old man I had half-expected. And rather than pulling us into pedantic arguments about obscure philosophical points, Rob engaged us on our level. To talk free will, we looked at our own choices. To talk ethics, we looked at dilemmas we had faced ourselves. By the end of class, I’d discovered that questions with no right answer can turn out to be the most interesting ones.

The experience has taught me to look at things a little more “philosophically”—and not just because it was a philosophy class! I learned that if I let go of my preconceptions, I can actually get a lot out of subjects I was previously dismissive of. The class taught me—in more ways than one—to look at things with an open mind.

A descriptive essay provides a detailed sensory description of something. Like narrative essays, they allow you to be more creative than most academic writing, but they are more tightly focused than narrative essays. You might describe a specific place or object, rather than telling a whole story.

Descriptive essays test your ability to use language creatively, making striking word choices to convey a memorable picture of what you’re describing.

A descriptive essay can be quite loosely structured, though it should usually begin by introducing the object of your description and end by drawing an overall picture of it. The important thing is to use careful word choices and figurative language to create an original description of your object.

Mouse over the example below, a response to the prompt “Describe a place you love to spend time in,” to learn more about descriptive essays.

On Sunday afternoons I like to spend my time in the garden behind my house. The garden is narrow but long, a corridor of green extending from the back of the house, and I sit on a lawn chair at the far end to read and relax. I am in my small peaceful paradise: the shade of the tree, the feel of the grass on my feet, the gentle activity of the fish in the pond beside me.

My cat crosses the garden nimbly and leaps onto the fence to survey it from above. From his perch he can watch over his little kingdom and keep an eye on the neighbours. He does this until the barking of next door’s dog scares him from his post and he bolts for the cat flap to govern from the safety of the kitchen.

With that, I am left alone with the fish, whose whole world is the pond by my feet. The fish explore the pond every day as if for the first time, prodding and inspecting every stone. I sometimes feel the same about sitting here in the garden; I know the place better than anyone, but whenever I return I still feel compelled to pay attention to all its details and novelties—a new bird perched in the tree, the growth of the grass, and the movement of the insects it shelters…

Sitting out in the garden, I feel serene. I feel at home. And yet I always feel there is more to discover. The bounds of my garden may be small, but there is a whole world contained within it, and it is one I will never get tired of inhabiting.

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Though every essay type tests your writing skills, some essays also test your ability to read carefully and critically. In a textual analysis essay, you don’t just present information on a topic, but closely analyze a text to explain how it achieves certain effects.

Rhetorical analysis

A rhetorical analysis looks at a persuasive text (e.g. a speech, an essay, a political cartoon) in terms of the rhetorical devices it uses, and evaluates their effectiveness.

The goal is not to state whether you agree with the author’s argument but to look at how they have constructed it.

The introduction of a rhetorical analysis presents the text, some background information, and your thesis statement; the body comprises the analysis itself; and the conclusion wraps up your analysis of the text, emphasizing its relevance to broader concerns.

The example below is from a rhetorical analysis of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech . Mouse over it to learn more.

King’s speech is infused with prophetic language throughout. Even before the famous “dream” part of the speech, King’s language consistently strikes a prophetic tone. He refers to the Lincoln Memorial as a “hallowed spot” and speaks of rising “from the dark and desolate valley of segregation” to “make justice a reality for all of God’s children.” The assumption of this prophetic voice constitutes the text’s strongest ethical appeal; after linking himself with political figures like Lincoln and the Founding Fathers, King’s ethos adopts a distinctly religious tone, recalling Biblical prophets and preachers of change from across history. This adds significant force to his words; standing before an audience of hundreds of thousands, he states not just what the future should be, but what it will be: “The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.” This warning is almost apocalyptic in tone, though it concludes with the positive image of the “bright day of justice.” The power of King’s rhetoric thus stems not only from the pathos of his vision of a brighter future, but from the ethos of the prophetic voice he adopts in expressing this vision.

Literary analysis

A literary analysis essay presents a close reading of a work of literature—e.g. a poem or novel—to explore the choices made by the author and how they help to convey the text’s theme. It is not simply a book report or a review, but an in-depth interpretation of the text.

Literary analysis looks at things like setting, characters, themes, and figurative language. The goal is to closely analyze what the author conveys and how.

The introduction of a literary analysis essay presents the text and background, and provides your thesis statement; the body consists of close readings of the text with quotations and analysis in support of your argument; and the conclusion emphasizes what your approach tells us about the text.

Mouse over the example below, the introduction to a literary analysis essay on Frankenstein , to learn more.

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is often read as a crude cautionary tale about the dangers of scientific advancement unrestrained by ethical considerations. In this reading, protagonist Victor Frankenstein is a stable representation of the callous ambition of modern science throughout the novel. This essay, however, argues that far from providing a stable image of the character, Shelley uses shifting narrative perspectives to portray Frankenstein in an increasingly negative light as the novel goes on. While he initially appears to be a naive but sympathetic idealist, after the creature’s narrative Frankenstein begins to resemble—even in his own telling—the thoughtlessly cruel figure the creature represents him as. This essay begins by exploring the positive portrayal of Frankenstein in the first volume, then moves on to the creature’s perception of him, and finally discusses the third volume’s narrative shift toward viewing Frankenstein as the creature views him.

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At high school and in composition classes at university, you’ll often be told to write a specific type of essay , but you might also just be given prompts.

Look for keywords in these prompts that suggest a certain approach: The word “explain” suggests you should write an expository essay , while the word “describe” implies a descriptive essay . An argumentative essay might be prompted with the word “assess” or “argue.”

The vast majority of essays written at university are some sort of argumentative essay . Almost all academic writing involves building up an argument, though other types of essay might be assigned in composition classes.

Essays can present arguments about all kinds of different topics. For example:

• In a literary analysis essay, you might make an argument for a specific interpretation of a text
• In a history essay, you might present an argument for the importance of a particular event
• In a politics essay, you might argue for the validity of a certain political theory

An argumentative essay tends to be a longer essay involving independent research, and aims to make an original argument about a topic. Its thesis statement makes a contentious claim that must be supported in an objective, evidence-based way.

An expository essay also aims to be objective, but it doesn’t have to make an original argument. Rather, it aims to explain something (e.g., a process or idea) in a clear, concise way. Expository essays are often shorter assignments and rely less on research.

The key difference is that a narrative essay is designed to tell a complete story, while a descriptive essay is meant to convey an intense description of a particular place, object, or concept.

Narrative and descriptive essays both allow you to write more personally and creatively than other kinds of essays , and similar writing skills can apply to both.

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