100 Descriptive Essay Topics For Easy Writing

What is descriptive writing? Descriptive writing is used as a tool to help develop your ability to paint a picture – in a sense – by using citing details that bring the subject to life. You see this often in fiction writing, but it has its merits in academic writing as well since writers are always trying to capture the reader’s attention. It is, then, a great skill to learn early in your academic life (like in high school or early college) since it can assist you in a number of other writing assignments by having you expand your vocabulary and keep the reader captivated with your descriptions.

What Is a Descriptive Essay?

This kind of writing assignment asks you to describe an object, a place, a person, or something that evokes the use of the five senses. It’s really open to anything the writer chooses and does not require an argument or opinion. It is usually limited to about a few hundred words, but some assignments may be as long as several pages. The trick is to write on a subject that you are comfortable with describing in extended detail since this is what most grading rubrics will be scoring on.

How to Start a Descriptive Essay

So now you’re probably wondering “How to start a descriptive essay?” The best approach is to simply start writing with keenness to the five senses. Write about sight, smell, touch, sound, and taste. A great descriptive paragraph will paint a picture in the reader’s mind. Professional writers can help you get started. Afterward this you can create a basic outline and then revise your content accordingly. You will always want to stick with your chosen subject, but the more vivid your writing is the great your success will be in creating a great written work.

100 Good Descriptive Essay Topics

Our descriptive essay topics list was put together by educators, students, and college admissions officers as a means to expose students to the most interesting ideas worth writing and reading about. They aren’t the only things you can write about but you can certainly get a sense of what piques their mind. Even if you don’t’ have a descriptive essay assignment on the horizon, you can benefit from a little practice, and the descriptive essay topics below are great places to find a little inspiration.

Easy Essay Topics

1. Write a descriptive essay about a place you’ve never visited in your life.
2. Describe something that you are addicted to (e.g., a food, an activity, a song, etc.).
3. Write about a favorite vacation spot from your childhood.
4. Describe a favorite “natural” location such as a forest or a desert.
5. Write an essay about a favorite photograph from your childhood.
6. Describe your favorite book, movie, song, or television show.
7. Write about a childhood memory that scares you.
8. Describe a room that has a special memory or evokes a feeling.
9. Write about a favorite place that you have visited in the past.
10. Describe a person you have met that you are afraid of or threatened by.

Essay Topics about Sports

1. Describe your favorite sport in a way that would convince others to try.
2. Write about your favorite professional sports memory.
3. Describe the worst sports injury you have personally suffered.
4. Write about your favorite professional athlete and the reasons why.
5. Describe your favorite moment from 2019’s Women’s World Cup.
6. Write about your all-time inspired sports moment.
7. Describe the best professional sporting event you have seen.
8. Write about an oddball sport that no one knows about.
9. Describe the positive effects of participating in sports.
10. Write about motorsports and their place in American sports.

Topics on Politics and Government

1. Describe government choices that have changed a country’s history.
2. Write about the different types of political terrorism.
3. Describe the different consequences and early causes of war.
4. Write about a political figure that has influenced you.
5. Describe the different types of election processes.
6. Write about one of the major political parties in the U.S.
7. Describe a progressive ideal which has been accepted widely.
8. Write about a political bargaining tool used in negotiations.
9. Describe government branches and their different purposes.
10. Write about socio-political changes in your city or town.

Topics on Information Technology

1. Describe how social media has changed the landscape of communication.
2. Write about the most popular trends in marketing and social media.
3. Describe how dictatorships limit internet access for political gain.
4. Write about how mobile technology is making Americans illiterate.
5. Describe how social media helps poorer populations’ access benefits.
6. Write on the place information technology has affected globalization.
7. Describe how home health care managed is changed by information tech.
8. Write about how the nuclear family home as changed because of IT.
9. Describe how information technology improves our abilities to invest.
10. Write about small business needs when considering information tech.

Topics on the Globalization and Environment

1. Describe the cultural and social manifestations of environmental issues.
2. Write about the effects of globalization on international politics.
3. Write about intelligence sharing and how globalization affects it.
4. Describe how brain-drain has been affected by environmentalism.
5. Write about how the world’s environmental landscapes are changing.
6. Describe the difference between globalization and knowledge exchange.
7. Write about how political parties influence environmental global issues.
8. Describe the needs populations have to protect environmental areas.
9. Write about the main reasons globalization has affected international trade.
10. Explain how environmental issues have increased in the last 20 years.

Topics on Local Government and Public Issues

1. Write about your community’s efforts to clean up public pollution.
2. Explain why it is important to keep your streets clean and safe.
3. Write about a problem that affects your community because of nature.
4. Describe a local issue that has brought the public in turmoil.
5. Write on how public community service helps bring people together.
6. Describe small government rules to protect gun owners’ rights.
7. Write about the rules and regulations concerning elderly rights.
8. Describe how local governments benefit from more recreational spots.
9. Write about local rules regarding abortion rights for women.
10. Describe Planned Parenthood funding through taxes in your town.

Topics on Space Exploration and More

1. Write about the reasons why the U.S. should consider a Mars expedition.
2. Describe how a mixed group of astronauts from different nations is best.
3. Write about the needs to invest in more space research for human advances.
4. Explain how the United States should invest in more spaceship technology.
5. Describe your favorite interstellar space mission from the last half-century.
6. Write about how non-rocket space launches revolutionize NASA’s program.
7. Explain why companies like Space-X should be sharing technology internationally.
8. Describe what it means for the world to invest in space exploration in general.
9. Write about the benefits of returning for a manned mission to the earth’s moon.
10. Explain the different types of spacecraft that are most popular around the world.

Topics on Educational Issues in Public Schools

1. Describe the benefits of having shorter school days at the high school level.
2. Explain why students are more inspired when they receive less standard homework.
3. Write about the subjects that are most important in today’s curriculum.
4. Describe what it’s like to have new, more socially conscious subjects in the curriculum.
5. Explain the benefits of teaching religion in public schools in today’s society.
6. Write about the educational system’s use of cursive writing lessons today.
7. Describe the use of homework each day to evaluate elementary students’ progress.
8. Explain how technology is used to enhance daily lessons and encourage learning.
9. Explain the reasons why schools are considering late start times for students.
10. Describe how standardized tests are created and scored by administrators.

Topics on Descriptive Personal Experiences

1. Write about a childhood adventure that is something you want to do again.
2. Describe a situation at school or in your personal life where you have been stressed.
3. Write about something that motivates you to put in more effort than usual.
4. Explain a difficult obstacle high school students must learn to overcome.
5. Write about the different types of common household pets that are friendly.
6. Describe something that makes people fail and ways to overcome the challenge.
7. Write about something that elementary students find annoying in their daily lives.
8. Explain how people use comfort zones to avoid trying new cultural foods or cuisines.
9. Describe a type of food from an international culture you have recently discovered.
10. Write about different types of desserts offered at five or four-star restaurants.

Topics about Travelling to Distant or International Places

1. Explain what it’s like to attend school abroad in cultural and societal terminology.
2. Describe how different countries treat leisurely travelers from the United States.
3. Explain what travel agencies do to ensure travelers feel welcome and safe abroad.
4. Explain how traveling with friends adds an element of safety when one is abroad.
5. Write about a country you would like to visit that isn’t a popular tourist destination.
6. Describe a travel-based piece of writing that explains everything about going abroad.
7. Write about a historic city with plenty of public places that emphasize local culture.
8. Describe the most visually stunning religious sites most people know little about.
9. Explain the ways European travel between countries is easier than on other continents.
10. Write about traveling with the military or similar opportunities by armed forces.

The above descriptive essay topics for college students are completely free to use. Share them with your classmates and don’t hesitate to brainstorm modifications to them. These are all suggestions and should be customized to your specific needs. If you need more help, you should try to find descriptive essay examples on the web, preferably those created by professional writing sites. You can also find a lot of great resources to help with different types of academic assignments such as expository writing, persuasive writing, narrative writing, and more.