thesis statement for descriptive essay ideas

25 Thesis Statement Examples

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thesis statement examples and definition, explained below

A thesis statement is needed in an essay or dissertation . There are multiple types of thesis statements – but generally we can divide them into expository and argumentative. An expository statement is a statement of fact (common in expository essays and process essays) while an argumentative statement is a statement of opinion (common in argumentative essays and dissertations). Below are examples of each.

Strong Thesis Statement Examples

school uniforms and dress codes, explained below

1. School Uniforms

“Mandatory school uniforms should be implemented in educational institutions as they promote a sense of equality, reduce distractions, and foster a focused and professional learning environment.”

Best For: Argumentative Essay or Debate

Read More: School Uniforms Pros and Cons

nature vs nurture examples and definition

2. Nature vs Nurture

“This essay will explore how both genetic inheritance and environmental factors equally contribute to shaping human behavior and personality.”

Best For: Compare and Contrast Essay

3. American Dream

“The American Dream, a symbol of opportunity and success, is increasingly elusive in today’s socio-economic landscape, revealing deeper inequalities in society.”

Best For: Persuasive Essay

4. Social Media

“Social media has revolutionized communication and societal interactions, but it also presents significant challenges related to privacy, mental health, and misinformation.”

Best For: Expository Essay

Read More: The Pros and Cons of Social Media

5. Globalization

“Globalization has created a world more interconnected than ever before, yet it also amplifies economic disparities and cultural homogenization.”

6. Urbanization

“Urbanization drives economic growth and social development, but it also poses unique challenges in sustainability and quality of life.”

7. Immigration

“Immigration enriches receiving countries culturally and economically, outweighing any perceived social or economic burdens.”

8. Cultural Identity

“In a globalized world, maintaining distinct cultural identities is crucial for preserving cultural diversity and fostering global understanding, despite the challenges of assimilation and homogenization.”

Best For: Argumentative Essay

Read More: Learn about Cultural Identity

technology examples and definition explained below

9. Technology

“Medical technologies in care institutions in Toronto has increased subjcetive outcomes for patients with chronic pain.”

Best For: Research Paper

10. Capitalism vs Socialism

“The debate between capitalism and socialism centers on balancing economic freedom and inequality, each presenting distinct approaches to resource distribution and social welfare.”

cultural heritage examples and definition

11. Cultural Heritage

“The preservation of cultural heritage is essential, not only for cultural identity but also for educating future generations, outweighing the arguments for modernization and commercialization.”

pseudoscience examples and definition, explained below

12. Pseudoscience

“Pseudoscience, characterized by a lack of empirical support, continues to influence public perception and decision-making, often at the expense of scientific credibility.”

13. Free Will

“The concept of free will is largely an illusion, with human behavior and decisions predominantly determined by biological and environmental factors.”

14. Gender Roles

“Traditional gender roles are outdated and harmful, restricting individual freedoms and perpetuating gender inequalities in modern society.”

Read More: What are Traditional Gender Roles?

work-life balance examples and definition, explained below

15. Work-Life Ballance

“The trend to online and distance work in the 2020s led to improved subjective feelings of work-life balance but simultaneously increased self-reported loneliness.”

16. Universal Healthcare

“Universal healthcare is a fundamental human right and the most effective system for ensuring health equity and societal well-being, outweighing concerns about government involvement and costs.”

Read More: The Pros and Cons of Universal Healthcare

17. Minimum Wage

“The implementation of a fair minimum wage is vital for reducing economic inequality, yet it is often contentious due to its potential impact on businesses and employment rates.”

Read More: The Pros and Cons of Raising the Minimum Wage

18. Homework

“The homework provided throughout this semester has enabled me to achieve greater self-reflection, identify gaps in my knowledge, and reinforce those gaps through spaced repetition.”

Best For: Reflective Essay

Read More: Reasons Homework Should be Banned

charter schools vs public schools, explained below

19. Charter Schools

“Charter schools offer alternatives to traditional public education, promising innovation and choice but also raising questions about accountability and educational equity.”

Read More: The Pros and Cons of Charter Schools

20. Effects of the Internet

“The Internet has drastically reshaped human communication, access to information, and societal dynamics, generally with a net positive effect on society.”

Read More: The Pros and Cons of the Internet

affirmative action example and definition, explained below

21. Affirmative Action

“Affirmative action is essential for rectifying historical injustices and achieving true meritocracy in education and employment, contrary to claims of reverse discrimination.”

Best For: Essay

Read More: Affirmative Action Pros and Cons

soft skills examples and definition, explained below

22. Soft Skills

“Soft skills, such as communication and empathy, are increasingly recognized as essential for success in the modern workforce, and therefore should be a strong focus at school and university level.”

23. Moral Panic

“Moral panic, often fueled by media and cultural anxieties, can lead to exaggerated societal responses that sometimes overlook rational analysis and evidence.”

24. Freedom of the Press

“Freedom of the press is critical for democracy and informed citizenship, yet it faces challenges from censorship, media bias, and the proliferation of misinformation.”

Read More: Freedom of the Press Examples

25. Mass Media

“Mass media shapes public opinion and cultural norms, but its concentration of ownership and commercial interests raise concerns about bias and the quality of information.”

Best For: Critical Analysis

Checklist: How to use your Thesis Statement

✅ Position: If your statement is for an argumentative or persuasive essay, or a dissertation, ensure it takes a clear stance on the topic. ✅ Specificity: It addresses a specific aspect of the topic, providing focus for the essay. ✅ Conciseness: Typically, a thesis statement is one to two sentences long. It should be concise, clear, and easily identifiable. ✅ Direction: The thesis statement guides the direction of the essay, providing a roadmap for the argument, narrative, or explanation. ✅ Evidence-based: While the thesis statement itself doesn’t include evidence, it sets up an argument that can be supported with evidence in the body of the essay. ✅ Placement: Generally, the thesis statement is placed at the end of the introduction of an essay.

Try These AI Prompts – Thesis Statement Generator!

One way to brainstorm thesis statements is to get AI to brainstorm some for you! Try this AI prompt:

💡 AI PROMPT FOR EXPOSITORY THESIS STATEMENT I am writing an essay on [TOPIC] and these are the instructions my teacher gave me: [INSTUCTIONS]. I want you to create an expository thesis statement that doesn’t argue a position, but demonstrates depth of knowledge about the topic.

💡 AI PROMPT FOR ARGUMENTATIVE THESIS STATEMENT I am writing an essay on [TOPIC] and these are the instructions my teacher gave me: [INSTRUCTIONS]. I want you to create an argumentative thesis statement that clearly takes a position on this issue.

💡 AI PROMPT FOR COMPARE AND CONTRAST THESIS STATEMENT I am writing a compare and contrast essay that compares [Concept 1] and [Concept2]. Give me 5 potential single-sentence thesis statements that remain objective.

Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 10 Reasons you’re Perpetually Single
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Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd-2/ 21 Montessori Homeschool Setups
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20+ Thesis Statement Examples for Different Types of Essays?

11 min read

Thesis Statement Examples for Different Essay Types

A thesis statement is like the central message of your essay. It states the main claim along with the reason or rationale that supports the claim. It's a single sentence that sums up what your essay is all about.

An important part of essay writing , your thesis statement should tell readers what your essay is trying to prove or explain.

Now, in some cases, like more complex essays or research papers, you might use a three-point thesis statement. This means your thesis statement has not just one, but three main ideas or arguments that your essay will explore.

Here are some good thesis statement examples for the common types of essays :

Thesis Statement Examples for Argumentative Essay

An argumentative essay persuades by presenting evidence on a debatable topic. Here is an argumentative thesis statement example:

Claim + Reasons/Evidence

Here are argumentative essay thesis statement examples:

"Social media negatively impacts mental health by fostering excessive comparison and cyberbullying, leading to increased stress and anxiety among users."
"Stricter gun control laws are necessary to reduce firearm-related violence in our society, as evidenced by lower rates of gun violence in countries with stringent gun control measures and the potential to prevent potentially dangerous individuals from acquiring firearms."

Thesis Statement Examples for Informative Essay

An informative essay educates by presenting facts and details on a specific topic. The thesis statement typically takes this form:

Topic + Main Points

Here are informative essay thesis statement examples:

"The history, symptoms, and available treatments for diabetes provide essential knowledge for individuals managing this chronic condition."
"Exploring the causes, effects, and preventive measures of climate change sheds light on the urgent need for global environmental action."

Literary Analysis Thesis Statement Examples

In a literary analysis essay , the writer examines a specific element of a literary work. The thesis statement for literary analysis generally follows this structure:

Analysis of Element in Literary Work + Significance

Here are literary analysis thesis statement examples:

"The symbolism of the 'green light' in 'The Great Gatsby' represents Gatsby's unattainable American Dream and the disillusionment of the Jazz Age."
"Examining the character of Macbeth's descent into madness in 'Macbeth' reveals the tragic consequences of unchecked ambition in Shakespearean tragedy."

Analytical Thesis Statement Examples

An analytical essay delves into a topic by evaluating and presenting multiple perspectives. The thesis statement in an analytical essay often appears as:

Topic + Analysis/Examination

Here are analytical essay thesis statement examples:

"Analyzing the economic impact of globalization on developing countries reveals both opportunities for growth and potential challenges."
"An examination of societal norms in 'The Catcher in the Rye' underscores the alienation experienced by the protagonist, Holden Caulfield."

Expository Thesis Statement Examples

Expository essays aim to explain or inform by providing details and facts on a subject. The typical expository thesis statement format is:

Subject + Key Aspects

Here are expository essay thesis statement examples:

"The exploration of the solar system, including the sun, planets, and asteroids, showcases the vastness and complexity of our cosmic neighborhood."
"Understanding the process of photosynthesis, its significance in plant growth, and its role in producing oxygen is vital for comprehending Earth's ecosystems."

Cause And Effect Thesis Statement Examples

Cause and effect essays investigate the relationships between events or phenomena. The thesis statement structure in a cause and effect essay is:

Cause + Effect

Here are cause and effect essay thesis statement examples:

"The increase in technology usage has led to a decline in face-to-face social interactions among young adults, contributing to feelings of isolation."
"The depletion of the ozone layer results in harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation reaching the Earth's surface, leading to various environmental and health consequences."

Narrative Thesis Statement Examples

Narrative essays recount personal experiences or stories. The thesis statement in a narrative essay is often shaped as:

Personal Experience/Story + Significance

Here are narrative essay thesis statement examples:

"My backpacking adventure through the Appalachian Trail taught me resilience, self-reliance, and a deep appreciation for the beauty of nature."
"The story of my grandmother's immigration journey reflects the strength, determination, and sacrifices made by countless immigrants seeking a better life."

Thesis Statement Examples For Opinion Essays

Opinion essays express the author's viewpoint on a particular subject. You can follow this structure to write a thesis statement in an opinion essay:

Topic + Opinion/Position

Here are thesis statement examples for opinion essays:

"Universal healthcare is a fundamental right that should be accessible to all citizens, ensuring equitable access to medical services."
"The widespread use of technology in education enhances learning opportunities, preparing students for a tech-driven world."

Thesis Statement Examples for Problem Solution Essay

In a problem-solution essay , the writer identifies a specific problem and proposes a viable solution or solutions to address it. The thesis statement in a problem-solution essay typically follows this structure:

Problem + Solution

Here are thesis statement examples for problem solution essays:

"The rising prevalence of food insecurity can be mitigated through community-based programs that promote urban farming and food distribution initiatives."
"To combat the issue of plastic pollution in oceans, a comprehensive approach involving strict regulations, public awareness campaigns, and sustainable alternatives is necessary."

Thesis Statement Examples for Persuasive Essays

Persuasive essays aim to convince the reader of a particular viewpoint or argument. The thesis statement in a persuasive essay should clearly present the writer's stance on the topic.

Here’s what a persuasive thesis statement can look like:

"Increasing the minimum wage to $15 per hour would significantly improve the quality of life for low-income families, reduce poverty rates, and stimulate economic growth by boosting consumer spending."
"Mandatory vaccination policies are essential for protecting public health, preventing the spread of infectious diseases, and ensuring community immunity against preventable illnesses."

College Thesis Statement Examples

College-level thesis statements are often more complex and require deeper analysis or exploration of a topic.

Here’s how you can structure thesis statement for college essays:

Here are some complex thesis statement examples across different disciplines:

Literature: "The role of gender and identity in Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night' illustrates the fluidity of social norms and challenges traditional perceptions of romantic relationships."
Psychology: "The impact of social media on adolescent mental health is influenced by factors such as peer validation, cyberbullying, and the cultivation of online personas."
History: "The significance of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States is underscored by its role in challenging systemic racism, influencing legislative change, and shaping modern notions of equality."
Environmental Science: "The implementation of renewable energy policies is crucial for mitigating climate change, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and fostering sustainable development worldwide."

Thesis Statement Examples for English Essays

English essays encompass a wide range of topics, from literary analysis to language studies. The thesis statement for English essays can take various forms depending on the specific focus of the essay.

Here are thesis statement examples for different types of English essays:

For a Literary Analysis Essay: "The use of symbolism in Nathaniel Hawthorne's 'The Scarlet Letter' underscores the theme of societal hypocrisy and the journey of self-redemption."
For a Language and Linguistics Essay: "Exploring the evolution of the English language through historical context reveals the influences and transformations that have shaped it into its current form."
For a Comparative Essay : "Comparing the themes of love and tragedy in Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' and Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice' highlights the universal aspects of human emotions."

Thesis Statement Examples for Research Paper

A research paper often critically analyzes a specific topic or issue, conducting in-depth exploration and analysis.

While all academic papers require a thesis statement to convey the central message, they differ in scope and depth.

Research paper thesis statements are broad and involve in-depth research, often including empirical research, Whereas, essay thesis statements are shorter and focus on a specific argument.

Here are some examples of research papers of different natures:

For an Analytical Research Paper: "An analysis of historical voting patterns reveals shifts in political ideologies over the past century, shedding light on changing voter demographics and their impact on contemporary elections."
For an Experimental Research Paper: "Through controlled experiments and statistical analysis, this research examines the effects of a new drug on patients with a specific medical condition, offering insights into its potential for widespread therapeutic use."
For a Comparative Research Paper: "This research paper compares and contrasts the educational systems of two countries, Japan and Finland, exploring the factors contributing to their respective success in student performance and learning outcomes."
For a Case Study Research Paper: "Through an in-depth case study of a successful tech startup, this research paper analyzes the key factors behind its rapid growth and profitability, offering valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs."

These examples illustrate the diversity of research paper thesis statements, each tailored to the specific focus and methodology of the research.

Elements of a Good Thesis Statement

A strong and clear thesis statement exhibits several crucial elements:

Specific Topic: It addresses a well-defined subject or issue.
Debatable Stance: The thesis takes a position that can be debated or questioned.
Narrow Focus: It doesn't encompass too broad a scope but rather hones in on a specific aspect.
Single Central Idea: It conveys a solitary, precise main point.
Supportable: It answers the question with evidence, facts, or reasons in the essay.
Clear Position: It presents a distinct viewpoint on the topic.

Example of a Good Thesis Statement

"Increasing access to quality education in underserved communities is essential for addressing socio-economic disparities, and this can be achieved through improved school funding, qualified educators, and community involvement."

Here is an analysis of the elements of the above thesis statement example:

This thesis statement exemplifies these elements well. It explicitly addresses the topic of "increasing access to quality education in underserved communities."

It takes a debatable stance as the strategies for achieving this goal can vary. It narrows the focus by discussing specific solutions: "improved school funding, qualified educators, and community involvement."

The central idea is that these actions are necessary to address socio-economic disparities through education. While the evidence isn't in the thesis itself, it's implied that the essay will support these claims . The position is clear: these actions are essential.

Here’s an example of a good thesis statement versus a bad one:

Good Vs. Bad Thesis Statement - MyPerfectWords.com

You now have a wide range of thesis statement examples to learn from.

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How To Write A Thesis Statement For A Descriptive Essay

Opening remarks.

Writing is not an easy task. The subjective nature and countless variables, both known and unknown, can make writers dread the process and its outcomes. There are many ways a writer can take hold of these variables, from planning and researching beforehand to outlining the whole content before getting started.

In essay writing, the purpose is to tackle an issue, solve a problem, or answer a question. That’s why it is necessary to take every issue into account before moving forward. In the case of writing a descriptive essay, the best thing to do is to understand what it is, what it is made of, and how to add value to the final product.

Descriptive Essay Writing 101

A descriptive essay is an essay that describes a subject under consideration. That subject can be anything, from physical to metaphysical, real to fictional, and beyond. Most descriptive essay topics revolve around describing a person, a thing, a place, an event, or an emotion.

Writers rely on figurative language and literary devices to make “things” come alive on a piece of paper. Without such tools, it is hard for writers to create fictional worlds and inhabit them with fictional people concerned about fictional problems and looking for fictional solutions for them.

Although it revolves around a single subject, the structure of a descriptive essay is well-defined, with three sections. One is the introduction or opening of the essay, the other is the main body where much of the description happens, and the last one is the conclusion or closing where the gist of the essay is summarized.

A Thesis Statement In An Essay

It would not be an overstatement to say that a thesis statement is a heart and soul of an essay. If you are to look for the distillation of the grand idea in one or two sentences in the essay, it will be a thesis statement.

It is a bold, brief statement that can summarize the whole gist of the essay in a couple of sentences. For instance, if an essay is about finding a solution to a problem, the thesis does not only mention the problem but finds states its supposed solution clearly and concisely.

Many people argue that an essay can be complete without a thesis statement. This cannot be farther from the truth. In real practice, the practice of having a thesis statement in an essay is going on for decades. There is no end to this practice in sight soon.

Composing A Thesis Statement For A Descriptive Essay

The approach to coming up with a solid thesis statement depends on the assignment and its writing approach. Is because of the reasons you should have a thesis statement in your essay:

Testing ideas and getting their essence in one or two sentences
Better organizing and developing your argument
To foreshadow the contents of the essay at the end of the introduction

To get your thesis statement to accomplish these goals, it is best to approach the process of formulating one based on the circumstances of the assignment and approach toward the topic.

When Topic Is Assigned By Instructors

When a topic is assigned to a student to write a descriptive essay, it can always be stripped down to a single question, problem, or point, based on its reach and scope. Whether a topic or title is asking to do this, you can easily turn it into a question to answer it in a much better way.

For instance, if you need to write a descriptive essay on a stranger you helped in a market, it is best to turn it into a question, or a couple, and then answer them one by one and then distill it into a single one. You can easily do this by describing the traits and attributes of the person and then settling down on one or two that can easily define or make him alive for the readers.

This thesis statement comes at the end of the introduction to foreshadow the contents of the main body for the readers.

When Topic Is Not Assigned

When a topic is assigned to you by the instructor, it is often easier to connect the dots and get to a question that can be answered in a thesis statement. When that is not the case, it is up to the writers to formulate a question and then come up with an answer.

There are four important pointers you should keep in mind. One, get a good number of people to disagree with what you are proposing. Second, choose a subject that can be reasonably dealt with given the scale and scope of the assignment. Third, formulate a single cohesive idea to tie it all. Fourth, propound your claims or findings in the conclusion.

The workflow toward that goal starts with brainstorming an idea, then narrowing it down using specific language and focusing the narrative until it becomes concise enough to forward an exertion. Once you check all the boxes, you can cover the thesis statement masterfully.

Merits of A Solid Thesis Statement

Just like any other form of writing, it is easy to do it, but hard to do it the best way. A thesis statement is easy to formulate but you need solid backing and support to create a lasting thesis statement that can stand the test of peers and critics.

That’s why we have designed this section to help students identify the merits of superb thesis statements they will create during their academics.

Asserts The Subjective Truth

The purpose of writing a descriptive essay is to show the readers what that subject is, be it a person, a thing, a place, or an event. This requires going through both subjective and objective details that can make it come alive on paper. Since a thesis is the distilled version of the whole narrative, it should reflect, and even assert, the subjective truth from the findings. Students should keep in mind that merely stating the problem or the issue is not a thesis statement. Merely suggesting the solution to the problem is not a thesis. They need to assert the claims and make others think it harder and even provoke them to turn it down or challenge it based on academic grounds.

Provides Justification For Discussion

Discussion, inherently speaking, is a two-way process. It means a party makes a claim that is either accepted and added to by the second party, is challenged and leads to other claims, and so on. This follows the same steps of the thesis, antithesis, and synthesis where society grows based on ideas. Sometimes, the rationale behind connecting dots with a thesis is to challenge widely-held beliefs. For instance, if you are writing a descriptive essay on a person who is universally believed to be a monster, you can unearth facts and forward the claim that he was indeed mentally ill and did what he did because of his maladies.

Expresses One Primary Idea

Many students make the mistake of formulating multiple ideas or stances in a single thesis. They shortlist findings based on their inclination toward the subject and base the statement on those ideas. There is no denying that this process is indeed formidable, but it is not the right one. Since the purpose of writing a descriptive essay is to highlight the vices and virtues of the subject under consideration, readers should have empirical takeaways when they depart from the essay. They should be able to pinpoint the central idea or the theme of the essay that was immortalized by the thesis statement. It can also be said that the primary idea in the thesis is the thread that binds the whole narrative together.

Specifies The Problem And Its Solution

When a writer sets out to write a descriptive essay, he needs to balance certain things so that the finished product can hold on its own. Apart from preliminary research and outlining, there are not many things that can keep the writer from swaying away from the main topic, except the thesis statement. The biggest strength of a well-rounded thesis statement is that it not only identifies the problem but also asserts a solution. Most of the time, the thesis statement picks only a single problem and then works around it to find a single, tangible solution.

What is an example of a thesis statement?

A thesis statement is a distillation of the central idea or a theme in a single or a couple of sentences. It can cover the whole premise of the problem and its solution. Here is a simple example of thesis building:

Describing the strangest person
Finding a person in the middle of nowhere who turned out to be a good person

What are the three essential parts of a thesis statement?

Following are the three essential parts of a thesis statement that you must keep in mind while researching and formulating one for your descriptive essay:

The subject discussed in the discourse is limited
The opinion propounded by the writer was precise
The author provides the reasons to come up with the proposed solution

How long is a thesis statement for a descriptive essay?

Loosely, a thesis statement should be a bold and concise summary of the central idea. Practically, it should be from a bold statement comprising a single sentence to a small paragraph, highlighting the issue and its solution. Keep in mind that it depends on the scale of the essay and the scope of the research.

Can a thesis statement be a question?

A thesis statement cannot be a question. It has to have the issue or the question in its body along with a plausible solution or answer to it. Merely stating the question does not promote debate and reasoning. That’s why it has two distinct characters encapsulated as one.

What is the ideal place to put the thesis statement in a descriptive essay?

The best place to mention the thesis statement is at the end of the introduction. It will directly lead to the bulk or action of the essay in the main body and it will tie the sections coming before and after the thesis statement.

Does a thesis statement always have to be a single sentence?

No law or convention in essay writing compels the writers to sum up their thesis statements in a single sentence. It is always ideal to have a concise, brief, and bold statement to back up the claims. Depending on the reach and scope of the essay, the thesis can go from a single sentence to a small paragraph containing a couple of sentences to further strengthen its position.

Summing It Up

Coming up with a solid thesis statement to back up the claims and answers to the possible questions is the primary job of the writer. While writing a descriptive essay, writers are often plagued with problems of generalization, especially when tackling extremely subjective topics. That’s why we have dedicated this whole blog post to help them how to write thesis statements in different scenarios. This will help them better understand the requirements of the assignment and set the scope and reach of the essay accordingly.

For those who can tackle the creative issues of writing but are stumped by technical issues such as writing a superb thesis statement for the descriptive essay , this is the perfect resource to explore!

Features For Free

Descriptive Essay Thesis Statement

Ai generator.

A thesis statement for a descriptive essay provides the main point or focus of your essay while capturing the essence of the subject you’re describing. It should give the reader a clear idea of what to expect from your description. Here are a few examples of thesis statements for descriptive essays:

Here are the thesis statements

Describing a Place : The peaceful serenity of the mountain cabin, with its rustic charm and breathtaking views, offers a perfect escape from the chaos of everyday life.

Describing a Person : My grandmother’s loving nature, tireless dedication to her family, and gentle wisdom make her the cornerstone of our home.

Describing an Object : The vintage clock, with its intricate golden designs and rhythmic ticking, holds not just time but memories of the past.

Describing an Event : The annual summer carnival, filled with bright lights, joyous laughter, and thrilling rides, brings our community together like no other event.

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A descriptive essay is a type of essay that aims to depict a particular person, place, object, or event in detail. The purpose of a descriptive essay is to create a sensory experience for the reader, using language that engages five senses.

Descriptive essay might scare with its dreadful name, yet it is essential for improving writing skills. How else would you explain something to a person who doesn't know much about a particular topic? Our answer is always a description of a subject. Writing is the perfect way to use vivid language and create something genuinely unique. Power of convincing and telling is one click away. So save time and trust us in showing you exactly how you can master your next article.

What Is a Descriptive Essay: Expanded Definition

Descriptive essay is a map that guides its reader through the chosen subject. Your goal is to introduce people to something new. You, writer, succeed if they leave with a concrete understanding of the topic. Are you writing an article about diving? An audience might not become professional divers, but they indeed will seem like pros after reading. Envision yourself painting an image that makes a statement, as any painter would. Whether you are writing an essay about global warming or just how your summer went — descriptive writing is the way to go. In case you need to explain something or analyze your idea, use our explanatory essay example .

What Is the Purpose of a Descriptive Essay

The purpose of a descriptive essay is as simple as it sounds — describe. You didn't expect that, did you? The topic of that said description can be anything you want. Or, usually, anything your professor wants. You can write about any person, place, event, object, and the list is endless. The trick is using figurative language and adding as many details as possible, while making writing effective. So don’t overdo with adjectives as if you’re writing a novel.

Descriptive Essay Outline: How to Create One

The descriptive essay outline is the secret weapon in this war against sloppy writing. Bland words used only to describe never leave impressions. A good idea is to use language that triggers responses from the senses (smell, taste, vision, and any other sensory experience evoking emotion). Lastly, creating an outline will save your ideas from being thrown in the trash of your memory. You can always create a list with enumerated topics and ideas. Or you can also divide the outline for an essay into sections corresponding to paragraphs. This way, you’ll know what to write.

Descriptive Essay Structure: Main Elements

Descriptive essay structure doesn’t go far from its fellow articles. But let’s cover basics:

Introduction — includes general facts about the subject without scaring readers with too much information.
Thesis statement — last sentence of introduction with the main idea.
Main body — shining moment to use details and figurative language we talked about.
Conclusion — excellent way of wrapping up the text. Let readers remember your work!

How to Write a Descriptive Essay: Step-By-Step Guide

How to write a descriptive essay? — you would ask. We can’t leave you just hanging with no answer! So check our guide for students. Learn how to leave an impression as you write an essay , add a personal touch, select the subject, and create detailed masterpieces.

Step 1. Choose a Topic for Your Descriptive Essay

Descriptive essay topics are hard to choose, but they’re your first step to success. Remember these words when thinking about the topic: clear, intriguing, and specific. An audience should know what they’re reading. As a writer, you also have another responsibility… Don’t be selfish! Choose something that will be interesting not only for you but appealing to the reader. You can always look through essay title examples to choose and create the best one.

Step 2. Craft a Good Thesis Statement for Your Descriptive Essay

Thesis statement for a descriptive essay is the cherry of your work. A jewel, if we might say so. It’s also not the time to be coy. Openness with several hints of mystery is the best policy for your thesis. Lure readers in and secure their attention. But your goal is still to include the most important idea. Consider these questions:

What are you trying to prove?
Why is this topic vital?
Why should the audience care?

Step 3. How to Start a Descriptive Essay

Descriptive essay introduction is all about intrigue as it’s the first chance to impress the readers with an epic start. Don’t worry, your only assignment here is to make people read further. It’s not that hard to hook them! Not literally, of course. But the first statement should be catchy, fun, or just memorable. It can be anything to make readers say ‘wow,’ without too much data. You have the main body for that.

Step 4. Creating Body Paragraphs for Descriptive Essay

Body paragraphs for descriptive essay are your chance to play with details and language. Traditional articles usually contain three paragraphs, if your professor doesn’t have special requirements. Thus, each body paragraph should have its own topic sentence, evidence, and concluding statement. They also develop distinct ideas. In other words: every paragraph must have its own idea linked to the chosen topic. Additionally, depending on the article, you can also explain your personal opinion, either negative or positive. But using academic research instead of your own beliefs is a more classy option, at least for this article. Maybe you will need an explanatory essay or other essay kinds, we have got you covered. Find them in our blogs.

Step 5. Compose Conclusion for Descriptive Essay

Descriptive essay conclusion is like your final marathon mile. You’re almost there, just view your conclusion as a summary of your work. The last paragraph makes clearer what your goal was. So we recommend writing as if your audience hasn’t read your written work. Overall, keep it short, add no new information and finish with some food for thought.

Step 6. Proofreading and Editing Your Descriptive Essay

Descriptive essay needs editing, sometimes even more than its fellow papers. Our final step — proofread the text , please. Yes, we know, it’s boring and takes time. Deleting your own words is an ungrateful, whiny requirement. But it refines your work and helps you to avoid mistakes. No one wants to see ‘autism’ instead of ‘author.’ Here, we’re writing from personal experiences. Consider taking your time editing to avoid typos or grammatical errors!

Descriptive Essay Format: Basic Rules of Use

The format of a descriptive essay will depend on your professor's requirements. Usually, you’ll need to edit your word document and submit your complete version in one of the fowling formats:

APA (used more for hard science)
MLA (preferred by humanitarian subjects)
Chicago style format (also liked by humanitarian disciplines, but you’ll recognize it for footnotes)

Understanding all those formats is not a must, especially memorizing them. Just google templates!

Descriptive Essay Examples

Descriptive essay example will include all the basics that we’ve just covered. Your complete word document should be styled according to those tricky formats we talked about. Your article should also have standard five paragraphs (introduction, main body, and conclusion). Understanding this structure will secure a nice flow of your work. Just in case, buy online essay if you want to do something different tonight than homework.

Descriptive Essay: Final Thoughts

Descriptive essay is not some monster under your bed. So don’t be scared of shining some light on it. Strong articles will have a clear purpose and an intriguing thesis. Keep in mind that your alluring introduction shouldn’t include data overload. Your main body is a mix of examples, details, and evidence. Lastly, your conclusion is like a red bow on the present that summarizes your work. Already excited to perform such an assignment?

In case you have any issues, get help from our outstanding essay writing service. We’re proud of our writers and their timely delivery. With our assistance, you will get a quality work conforming to all standards.

Frequently Asked Questions About Descriptive Essay

1. what's the difference between a narrative essay and a descriptive essay.

A descriptive essay doesn’t tell a story but simply contains information about a particular topic. So the main difference that distinguishes narrative works is a storytelling element. But a complete descriptive text is more of a guide and description with no plot.

2. How do I come up with a topic for my descriptive essay?

Descriptive essay topics are usually given by professors. If not, choosing places, people, events, or even objects is your best bet. Try to select something interesting. So you don’t have to struggle with boring material having no idea how to word it.

3. How many words should be there in a descriptive essay paragraph?

Descriptive essay paragraph is usually 100-200 words long. Fewer words will make an article non-academic. In contrast, longer sections will surely help you lose the attention of your readers. So keep it along the lines of this word count, and you’ll be good.

4. What is the difference between a descriptive essay and a definition essay?

Descriptive essay literally describes any topic using colorful words and figurative language to impress your reader. You’re painting pictures with figurative and bright words instead of colors. In contrast, definition essay is the type of article that explains any chosen concept or an academic term. So it’s slightly drier and more on the nose of academic writing.

Daniel Howard is an Essay Writing guru. He helps students create essays that will strike a chord with the readers.