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It could had been another drab winter. Every year, as soon as that particularly thick fog and white crisp snow covered the village of Ramsjö, its three hundred inhabitants would start spending their free time indoors, either sleeping or trying to wake up. This is what people commonly did in winter in Ramsjö-a small Swedish village located right in the middle of nowhere, on the shores of a beautiful lake that, unlike the inhabitants of Ramsjö, never froze even during the most severe winter seasons. Winter usually started early in this part of the country, and it meant that most life would hibernate almost completely for eight or nine months to come. The village folk were used to this kind of weather here. Everyone but Lara. She came to Ramsjö only three years ago, and she still had not forgotten what life was like outside this sleepy hollow den.

Lara came to Ramsjö to work at the local vineyard. She loved the work. She just was not into the whole Swedish moody, depressive climate and lifestyle. A native of Munich, Lara was used to having an active social life, a hundred and one acquaintances, and a wide variety of places to go out to in the evenings. Well, one facet of her life that she did not have problems with here was getting acquainted. It seemed that two months after Lara had arrived in the village, everyone already knew her, and some four months later, she already knew everyone here as well. "Everyone" was the three hundred and two inhabitants of Ramsjö, most of whom worked in the vineyards or the local forestry.

Lara's first two winters in Ramsjö were scarily quiet and stress-free. It was not that she did not expect the place to be that way, but it seemed that she already had enough of the quietness and relaxation to start finding it rather depressive. She craved for sunny days, bright blue skies and smiley faces. That is why Lara long ago decided that this winter would be different from the previous two that she had spent here. Lara decided it would not hurt to travel around a little, the only problem being that she did not know what was there to see in wintry Sweden. But then it suddenly occurred to her that she was closer than ever to the fairy tale land that every child from anywhere in the world knows about-the Lapland. It was right there, a four-hour trip in her SUV and then another hour and a half on the local transport that looked like a combination of a caterpillar tractor and a land battleship. But, as frightening as it looked, it was the only way to travel around in the severe weather of the Scandinavian mountains.

When Lara finally got to the heart of Finnish Korvatunturi-the residence of Santa Claus-she was already tired and sleepy. It was probably due to the Swedish lifestyle of being careful and deliberate, but as soon as she came closer to a small village house that looked like a postcard picture, three cute toddlers dressed in green and with miniature bells sewed to their cones approached her. Two of them took Lara by each side and the third one pointed at the house, speaking some esoteric language and talking in a shrill voice, half-laughing and half-whispering. That is just as much as it took for Lara to start feeling like she was part of a fairy tale. Being a clear-eyed 27-year-old woman, she suddenly felt like a gullible little girl who woke up in a fantasy land. Lara followed the toddlers inside the house, and suddenly felt so warm, so comfortable, and so... at home. The toddlers pointed at an old brown arm chair by the fireplace, and ran away, leaving the sounds of their contagious, joyful laughter ringing in Lara's ears. She hopped on the arm chair, tucked her legs underneath herself and stretched her arms towards the warmth of the fire. She did not even notice when an old man with a big white beard, dressed in red, quietly approached her by the side and gently put his right arm on her shoulder like a father would have to a daughter after coming back from a prolonged winter excursion.

"Well, hello there, dear. You have grown up so much since your last visit, my girl."

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Trip to the End of the World: Free Narrative Essay Sample

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It could had been another drab winter. Every year, as soon as that particularly thick fog and white crisp snow covered the village of Ramsjö, its three hundred inhabitants would start spending their free time indoors, either sleeping or trying to wake up.

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The Purdue University Online Writing Lab serves writers from around the world and the Purdue University Writing Lab helps writers on Purdue's campus.

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Descriptive essays are probably the easiest one to write since they tend to be more personal and involve less research. They are an opportunity to do some creative writing, even if the essay topic you choose looks pretty boring at first glance. When it comes to choosing a topic, do not be afraid of those that sound generic, because you can use creativity to bring it to life. Just be aware that you will have to work really hard at creating something that readers will enjoy reading.

In my experience, descriptive essays are only difficult when it comes to deciding just what to write about. If you are a writer in search of an essay topic worth exploring, here are some topics that may help get you there, or at least inspire you to create one of your own.

1. A dream

2. A nightmare

3. A childhood memory

4. A favorite place

5. A train ride

6. A pet

7. A garden

8. Your best friend

9. Your favorite vacation

10. Your ideal date

11. Your favorite fishing spot

12. A photograph

13. A painting

14. A room

15. Your favorite book/movie/television character or show

16. The best restaurant in town

17. The most embarrassing moment of your life

18. Your worst enemy

19. An addiction

20. Your hero

21. A teacher

22. A vase of flowers

23. A day at work

24. People on the street

25. A stranger in the crowd

26. Falling in love

27. A life-changing experience

28. A new car

29. Your first house

30. Moving to a new city

31. A forest

32. A beach

33. Your favorite food

34. Playing a sports game

35. A road trip

36. Learning to drive

37. A snowy day

38. The birth of a child

39. A life-changing event

40. The future

41. Traveling

42. Your favorite song

43. Your earliest memory

44. Living in another country

45. A major achievement

46. A spider

47. A beautiful house

48. Walking down a quiet street

49. Revisiting places from childhood

50. What you want to be when you grow up

51. A hobby

52. A funny memory

53. A paranormal experience

54. Starting a new career

55. A Halloween costume

56. A day at school

57. Sitting in traffic

58. Meeting a famous person

59. A concert

60. A dance

61. The best place to write

62. Your favorite hangout spot

63. Your favorite item of clothing

64. Graduation

65. Learning a new language

66. Your first concert

67. Your first kiss

68. Your first date

69. Performing in front of a crowd

70. Making a speech

71. Acting in a play

72. An antique store

73. A souvenir

74. Your lucky charm

75. Running a marathon

76. Winning an award

77. Visiting an old friend

78. Getting lost

79. A bad day

80. A day in the sun

81. Flying in an airplane

82. An amazing view

83. A camping trip

84. A trip to the museum

85. A phobia

86. A bouquet

87. Daydreaming

88. A day at the ocean

89. A picnic

90. A race

91. A competition

92. Meeting someone new

93. A daily routine

94. A haunted house

95. A walk through the park

96. Waiting in line

97. Wearing a disguise/costume

98. Watching a parade

99. A class reunion

100. Your favorite book store

As you can see, there is an endless array of topics to choose from for a descriptive essay. Remember that this type of essay is all about the details. Whether your topic is a bug or a skyscraper, your essay is sure to be as success, as long as you can make it come alive on paper and amuse and surprise your audience, no matter what topic you choose.

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Descriptive essays are probably the easiest one to write since they tend to be more personal and involve less research. They are an opportunity to do some creative writing, even if the essay topic you choose looks pretty boring at first glance.

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Okay, this isn't CSI, and you're not under investigation, so this isn't the type of description we'll be learning about in this post.
Describe your summer vacation.
You're not in third grade, either so no one is going to ask you to write a paper describing your family's summer vacation (I hope!).
Write a 750 word essay describing a place, an object, an experience, or a process. Be creative!
Now this sounds like something you might be asked to write. Describing something sounds easy enough, right? But there are guidelines you should follow when writing a descriptive essay.

Being creative and descriptive can sometimes be a challenge. I'm sure you don't want to write the seventh incarnation of your summer vacation essay, but you might be struggling to think of something a bit more original.

If you're feeling less than creative and need some inspiration, then you've found the right place, as this post includes 20 fascinating and unusual descriptive essay topics.

Writing a Descriptive Essay: What You Need to Know

Yes, you'll need to include descriptions in a descriptive essay, but there's more to it than that.

Here are three key points should know before you write your paper.

Like any assignment, a descriptive essay has a specific purpose.

Is your purpose to simply describe something, or are you supposed include your feelings and comments about something? Not sure how to include either of these? Read more about objective and subjective description.

Know what details to include

Description is obviously important in a descriptive essay but don't include details simply for the sake of including them. These unnecessary details slow down your writing and bog down your readers.
Here's an example that includes too many unnecessary details.

I walked up the three steps on my front porch, put my key in my newly painted front door, and opened it casually. My jaw dropped to the floor when I opened the door. Eight of my best friends were packed tightly like sardines in the corner, each holding colorful Happy Birthday signs. They jumped out and yelled "Surprise! Happy Birthday!" as I walked in the room.

This paragraph provides too many irrelevant details. Do readers really need to know how many steps are on your front porch, or do they need to know your door was freshly painted? Of course not. These details aren't important to your description of this event, so leave them out.

Warning: Avoid cliches! Expressions, such as "my jaw dropped to the floor" and "packed like sardines" are overused and not original or creative.

Know (and use) your senses

No, this doesn't refer to common sense (though I do recommend you always use common sense). Here, senses literally refers to your 5 senses: sight, taste, touch, hearing, and smell.

It's easy to include sight in description, but don't forget the other senses. Including the other senses creates more vivid imagery. It will bring your descriptions to life and help your readers imagine what you're describing.

Think about describing a bakery. Through your description, you can show readers an image of the physical space and describe the donuts, but if you can capture the sweet aroma of baked goods wafting through the air, you'll create a much more effective description.

Now that you're hungry for donuts, and now that you have a better understanding of how to write a descriptive essay, the fact remains that you still need something to write about.

Here are 20 topics to help spark your creativity.

20 Fascinating and Unusual Descriptive Essay Topics

Remember, you want to avoid topics that you've written about since the third grade and boring topics that are too obvious.

Try one of these topics, instead!

5 Fascinating and Unusual Descriptive Essay Topics about Places

Sure, you could describe your bedroom, your dorm room, or even a classroom, but that's not very original, so write about something a little more unusual, like one of these 5 places.

A construction site: Think of the sounds of machinery and smells of construction materials. You might even be able to describe conversations between workers.

A waiting room: Consider the mood of the room and how people interact. How do strangers interact when placed in a quiet room together?

A gas station restroom: I hate to ask, but is it possible to describe how this room might smell?

A cemetery at dusk: The time of year, the weather, and the light will be important in your description of a cemetery. Is the mood somber or creepy?

A line at an amusement park ride: Think about how the temperature and the length of the line might play an important role in your description. Does a 90 degree day and a 30 minute wait change the mood of the people in line?

5 Fascinating and Unusual Descriptive Essay Topics about Objects

Your first thought might be to describe your television, your couch, or anything else immediately in front of you, but really, how fascinating can a couch be? Why not write about something a bit more interesting, like one of these topics.

The contents of your purse or wallet: Describe what the items look like, but also describe their importance or significance. Do you carry any sentimental items?

A painting or picture: Describe the subject of the painting or photograph. Do the background images have any significance? What is the history behind the painting or picture?

Your favorite toy from childhood: Can you describe to readers why the toy was your favorite? What is the toy made of? Is it soft and cuddly or made of plastic or steel?

The street in front of your home: Paint a clear picture for your readers by describing the street itself, what surrounds the street, and who uses the street? What noises are associated with the street? Are there any distinctive smells or sights?

A tattoo: Colors, lines, and concept will play an important role in describing a tattoo. If known, you might also include a description of the tattoo's meaning.

5 Fascinating and Unusual Descriptive Essay Topics about Experiences

You've likely graduated from kindergarten, middle school, and maybe even high school. You might be tempted to write about this experience, but unless it was truly unique, consider skipping those boring ideas and go with a more unusual topic like one of the five listed here.

A frightening, funny, or embarrassing subway ride: Describe how frightened you were when you were trapped in a dark subway car for hours. Perhaps describe how embarrassed you felt when you broke the heel of your shoe running to catch the train. Or, describe how a subway performer changed your day.

Feeling alone in a room-not knowing anyone at the party, in a new school, or in a class: Think about the emotions you felt. How can you describe this to others so they, too, feel how you felt in that instant? Did the shape of the room or placement of the people contribute to your feelings?

A visit to an emergency room: Describe the sounds of doctors, patients, and medical devices to your readers. Describe your thoughts and feelings. Consider how you might describe the chaos or calm in the ER at any given time.

Getting lost in a strange new place (a city or even on your campus): Combine the panic you might feel along with a clear description of the sights and sounds around you to help readers understand your emotions and see your surroundings.

Meeting up with a long-lost friend (or ex-boyfriend/girlfriend): Consider how you might describe the person. Does he or she look different than when you last met? How did you feel when you first saw your friend or ex? Does the place where you met play a role in your description?

5 Fascinating and Unusual Descriptive Essay Topics about Processes

Yes, making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich might be considered a process, but these types of how-to processes read more like directions, rather than a description of a process. Choose a topic (like one listed below) that allows for more discussion and description.

How to survive your first year of college: Think about all of your experiences and try to narrow them down to a few key points that college students must know in order to survive. You might describe the best ways to study, how to meet new people, how to avoid feeling homesick, or even how to avoid the freshman 15.

How to train for a marathon: This description not only involves the physical aspect, but also involves the mental aspects of training. Describe how you feel during each.

How to study for an exam: Describe a few important study strategies. Consider how you learn best and how you might help others follow your same techniques.

How to break up with your boyfriend/girlfriend: Is it ever okay to break up on Facebook, Twitter, or via text? What should you say to your soon-to-be ex?

How to protect your privacy online: Describe a few key steps anyone can use to protect his or her privacy. Look for simple, low-cost solutions anyone can try.

From Descriptive Topic to Descriptive Essay

After you've chosen from the many possible descriptive essay topics for your paper, remember: know why you're writing the essay, know what details to include, and use your 5 senses.

With these three tips in mind, it will be easy to turn your fascinating and unusual topic into a superb essay.
If you're looking for extra help turning descriptive essay topics into an essay, here are a few resources to set you on the right path.
For help with basic essay structure, read How to Write a 5-Paragraph Essay Outline.

Read more tips on structuring your descriptive essay here.

Do you remember when teachers told you to show, not tell? They're right! Click here to learn more about using this strategy in your own descriptive essay.

If you've written a killer descriptive essay but just can't decide how to end it, read 12 Essay Conclusion Examples to Help You Finish Strong and How to Write a Killer Essay Conclusion.

When you've finished your essay, don't forget to have one of our editors review your paper.

Happy writing!

Psst... 98% of Kibin users report better grades! Get inspiration from over 500,000 example essays.

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20 Fascinating and Unusual Descriptive Essay Topics

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Okay, this isn't CSI, and you're not under investigation, so this isn't the type of description we'll be learning about in this post. Describe your summer vacation. You're not in third grade, either so no one is going to ask you to write a paper describing your family's summer vacation (I hope!).

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The Guide to Grammar and Writing contains scores of digital handouts on grammar and English usage, over 170 computer-graded quizzes, recommendations on writing -- from basic problems in subject-verb agreement and the use of articles to exercises in parallel structures and help with argumentative essays, and a way to submit questions about grammar and writing.