A Descriptive Essay Example: Learn How to Draw with Words

Not all smart people can be good writers and can boast that their academic papers deserve to be framed on the wall. But descriptive essays definitely make it easier to write a memorable paper.
Check out the following free descriptive essay example with comments and learn how to easily draw true masterpieces with your words.

📩 Enjoy an excellent example of a descriptive essay

“The Lonely Life of a College Textbook”

• Start by expressing your emotions.

There is nothing like finding the textbook I need in the piles crowding my desk at the end of a term.

• Include sensory details.

Its rough pages were snow-white before, but now they are covered with dust.

I sneeze before I get to even finish the introduction part.

• Add figures of speech.

The textbook looks like a wounded veteran, with its dog-eared pages and highlighted lines.

• Use descriptive language.

The quiet rustle of the pages is comforting. It whispers: “You will learn everything you need for tomorrow’s exam.”

• Don’t hesitate to add some drama.

How could I exchange my textbook for its digital copy?

📖 Mix 5 ingredients in a sample descriptive essay of your own

As you can see from the example of descriptive writing above, the main ingredients to be included in this type of paper are:

Ten fresh ideas for descriptive essay topics

1. The view from a window in the lecture hall.
2. Ramen noodles: Gourmet dinner for college students.
3. A busy street in a big city.
4. A dorm room the night before an exam.
5. A starry night onboard a ship.
6. Your favorite actor/singer/poet.
7. Your favorite mug.
8. The eyes of someone you love.
9. The most memorable Christmas tree in your life.
10. A pic from a party your Facebook friend tags you in.

💡 Boost your descriptive essay examples with these tips

Along with a descriptive essay sample, you may need a few practical hints:

• Choose a good topic and an angle for it.
• Imagine what you’re describing in the tiniest detail.
• Show, don’t tell.
• Feel, smell, see, touch, and/or taste your object.
• Make your readers feel what you feel.

Now you know more about how to draw with words and what you need for writing a descriptive essay that rocks.

What are you waiting for? Start your essay now!

So you’ve read our free descriptive essay example and are still wondering how to write a descriptive essay of your own? Need more practical tips on writing an excellent descriptive essay? Keep reading!

❓ How to write a descriptive essay

A descriptive essay gives a detailed description of a person, object, place, or event in a vivid and particular manner using sensory details.

You need to create a picture in your readers’ minds by engaging the five senses: smell, taste, touch, sight, and sound.

You should express emotions clearly and vividly so that your reader can feel them too.

Descriptive essay writing can be rather challenging unless you have a really lively imagination. You will have to work very hard to create something that your reader will enjoy. On the other hand, in some ways, writing descriptive essays is easier because they are more personal, and you have to do less research on your topic.

To write an impressive descriptive essay, keep the following tips in mind:

• Incorporate a variety of transition words to connect your ideas.
• Use comparisons to make your descriptions more vivid.
• Describe your emotions, feelings, and subjective opinions about the topic.
• Be creative.
• Include a variety of clauses and compound sentences to express your thoughts.

👣 Steps for writing a descriptive essay

1. Choose a topic for your descriptive essay by deciding who or what you will describe. There are many different kinds of descriptive essays, but the most common essays focus on describing places, peoples, or objects.
2. Choose your essay pattern. Your descriptive essay needs to have a well-balanced structure. You should structure your essay in a manner that helps your essay topic make sense.

There are 3 descriptive essay patterns:

– The spatial order pattern is useful when you describe a place. It includes five paragraphs: an introduction, a conclusion, and three body paragraphs describing three locations.

– The chronological order pattern is useful when you describe an event. It also includes an introduction, a conclusion, and three paragraphs describing three scenes.

– The climatic order pattern is generic, so you can use it for any topic. Items are arranged by order of importance, from the least important to the most important.

3. Write an outline of your descriptive essay. Make a list of the facts, characteristics, and peculiarities associated with your topic. Outline your simple five-paragraph essay with three main topics. You can always expand on this basic outline if you need to. Begin your descriptive essay on a general level and then work your way down to the details.
4. Write your thesis statement and one topic sentence for each body paragraph.
5. Write each of the paragraphs. Start from the topic sentence, which gives the reader a broad view of the subject of your descriptive essay, and then give details as you develop your thoughts. Be sure to follow one simple rule of thumb: show, don’t tell. Describe feelings or actions through senses—don’t just state them. Try to be specific, innovative, and unique in your descriptions. Include colorful adjectives and evocative language so your reader can really experience what you’re describing.
6. Write a conclusion that restates your main ideas about your description. Focus on your personal feelings about the subject.
7. Proofread your essay thoroughly. Read your descriptive essay and correct any grammar, punctuation, or spelling mistakes. Rewrite the parts of your essay that are not completely descriptive or do not make as much sense as you thought they did. Make sure the final draft of your descriptive essay is exactly as you expected.

Here are some common mistakes in writing descriptive essay you should avoid:

• Not having a key idea. You should focus on one main idea when writing a descriptive essay and make it clear to your readers.
• Using unnecessary adjectives in your descriptions. Try to describe the object or person using your personal emotions and feelings. Don’t just give a long list of adjectives from the thesaurus.
• Having too many negative adjectives in your descriptions. You should try to use mild language instead.

💭 15 topics for your inspiration

Here are some more interesting topics for a descriptive essay. Use them for inspiration to create your own!

1. A childhood memory
2. Your dream house
3. Your ideal friend
4. Your worst enemy
5. A life-changing experience
6. Moving to a new city
7. Your day at school
8. Your first date
9. A place you visited as a child
10. An inspiring view
11. A painting
12. A vase of flowers
13. Learning a new language
14. Your favorite food
15. A stranger in the crowd

Use our descriptive essay example and follow the descriptive essay writing prompts to write your own perfect descriptive essay on any topic!

If you need more advice on writing any academic paper, check out our other articles that are full of helpful writing tips.