write an essay about your vacation experience using imagery

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How To Craft the Perfect Travel Photo Essay (from the Pros)

Published/Updated: Nov 16, 2021 · Laura Kiniry · 4 minute read

A picture is worth a thousand words, so imagine what a series of images can convey.

Photographic storytelling—or what we know as photo essays—can say so much about a subject. It might be the visual narrative of a Berlin neighborhood undergoing gentrification through a minimalist café or capturing the delight of a Midwest summer carnival through a couple riding the carousel (or the close-up decadence of deep-fried Oreos).

There’s no need to be a professional photographer to lay out a captivating tale. Whether it’s using an iPhone camera to snap pics or exploring drone imagery , these tips from award-winning, renowned travel National Geographic and New York Times photographers will help you capture great photos and the story behind them.

It’s not only about telling a story that’s eye-catching, but also buzz-worthy. Mark Edward Harris , a photographer who has led workshops for Nikon and B&H, points out, “Look for stories that you relate to or have some personal interest in before looking outwards. Many of the best stories are in our own backyards.”

Remember, a location is not a story.

(Courtesy of Mark Edward Harris)

“There’s no real equation or instruction manual for photographic storytelling,” says editorial photographer James Wasserman , whose work has graced The New York Times, Forbes and Fortune.

He does say, don’t be afraid to let loose.

Think about the story you’re interested in sharing. Perhaps it is about documenting the history of a place like Philadelphia's Old City, or telling the story of a popular Parisian restaurant from start-to-finish on a busy night.

Remember, a location is not necessarily a story. This is the mantra that travel and documentary photographer Mark Edward Harris , author of The Travel Photo Essay Describing a Journey Through Images  and whose work has appeared in Condé Nast Traveler and National Geographic, follows.

Its meaning: Dig deeper into a place for a story rather simply skimming the surface.

For instance, Harris recently visited Lubbock, Texas, and while there, discovered it was the birthplace of rock and roll legend Buddy Holly. So, in tandem, he created a photo essay on how the city was memorializing Holly. In doing so, Harris captured the spirit of Lubbock (click to see contact sheet).

For other examples, see below.

Choosing and establishing a sense of place.

When it comes to connecting with a subject, Wasserman is a pro.

Take Old City, Philadelphia , a neighborhood where he’s lived on and off for years. “I was walking past the buildings here multiple times a day,” he says, “and watching them change. I developed a relationship to them.”

Start getting to know the places and people around you. Pay attention. Ask questions.

Take note of things, like the way a local bodega owner might leave a bowl of water out for the neighborhood cat each evening. Or how a parking lot transforms into an impromptu concert venue on Thursday nights.

Windows of time. (James Wasserman / Old City)

Businesses come and go; places change, notes Wasserman. “But often, the most compelling images are ones that become windows into another time.”

They also capture a sense of place. A good example is Wasserman's Chengdu Eats , which features the story of Chengdu, China, recently designated as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.

To do this, Wasserman looked at what makes Chengdu’s culinary scene so great. He visited a local cooking school, explored the energy of its farmers’ markets, and familiarized himself with the dishes themselves. Like everywhere from Mexico to Morocco, Chengdu's food and its culture are undeniably linked.

Conveying this kind of connection will make your images that much more powerful.

Other examples could be kimchi-making parties in South Korea, or a typical workday of Japanese Ama, the female deep-sea divers who search for sea cucumbers and abalone. Telling these stories through different viewpoints will help them become more whole.

It's always helpful to have a shot list so that you know beforehand what types of images you'd like to include. But leave room for spontaneity: Some photos can occur spur-of-the-moment. Other photos might be arranged shots.

It's OK to include both.

Harris tries to go into new situations with what he calls an “empty cup,” filling it up with interesting ideas and asides as he goes. “That said, I do some basic research before I head out to a location,” he says.

Contemplating the range of images.

Cooking school. (James Wasserman / Chengdu Eats)

Once you have an idea in your mind of the overall theme, start looking at it from a range of different angles.

For example, says Wasserman, “If it's a person whose story you want to convey, ask yourself: Where does that person reside? Where do they work? What are the environments that are important to them?”

If something interests you, snap a pic. Snap more than several pictures, and do so from multiple angles and distances. Shoot wide angles from above (this is a time where that drone could come in handy), and zoom in close.

Take action shots and portraits. In particular, Harris loves the camera’s ability to freeze a moment in time, using a fast-enough shutter speed “to capture a bear catching a salmon at Brooks Falls, Alaska, ” he says, “or an officer directing traffic in Pyongyang, North Korea .”

Basic images should include a strong establishing shot , some detail shots , and a closing shot , says Harris.

If it’s a story about food, this might mean capturing images of chefs cooking it, people eating it, and close-ups of the dishes themselves.

Chicken feet. A great example of a close-up shot. (James Wasserman / Chengdu Eats)

In the case of the Buddy Holly story, one of Harris’s detail shots is a photo of Holly’s famous eyeglasses. “[It was also the same] pair of glasses Holly was wearing when his plane crashed on that freezing, wintery night in 1959,” he says. (Holly died in the plane crash.)

Environmental portraits, or a portrait of a person in a place they’re connected with [ like this image of Bruce Springsteen in Asbury Park, NJ ], are also a key element to photographic storytelling.

Curating, and presenting, the story.

Though it’s both expected and encouraged that different angles, varying subjects, and a range of foci will be included in the story’s universal theme, fight the urge to include everything .

Seriously. As much as you might be dying to feature all 150 photos from a visit to Alcatraz Island, don’t. An onslaught of images is boring, and the story gets lost within them.

“The viewers are always creating their own stories,” says Wasserman. Allow them the chance.

“If you study the classic LIFE magazine photo essays by photographers such as W. Gene Smith, Alfred Eisenstaedt, Margaret Bourke-White, and Gordon Parks,” Harris points out, “a strong story should be able to be told in a dozen photos or so.”

Once you decide on the images you’re going to use, arrange them in an order that makes sense. Begin with a strong establishing shot, such as the cooking school from Wasserman’s Chengdu Eats story.

Then end with a closing shot: One like the pile of rubble in Harris’s Vanity Fair photo essay on the aftermath of the 2015 Nepal Earthquake. Use the in-between to fill in the blanks.

After all, that is where the magic happens.

(Backroads / Mark Edward Harris)

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Beach Description Essay

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

Looking for simple and beautiful descriptive writing about a beach in summer? The beach description essay below is just what you need! Get inspired for your own creative writing with us.

Introduction

Description of a beach.

Summer is the perfect time for individuals to visit and enjoy the marvelous scenes along the coast. In addition, the feelings and experiences felt on the beach during the summer are always fantastic. Several sceneries and experiences are seen and felt at the beach during summer. These include; the plantation along the beach and inside the sea, the animals, the waters, and the people found on the beach.

The beach appears to be alive and joyful with the presence of the natural vegetation. There are evergreen plantations both along and inside the beach. Images of buoyant seaweeds can be seen along the shore. Palms trees are seen to stand tall along the beach, dancing to the tune of the breeze emanating from the waters of the sea.

The sea grapes and the sea oats are also observed gathered in clusters in the sea next to the shore. Their colored flowers are splendid and brighten at the shining of the summer sun. The sweet scent of the flower grapes sends a signal to the world about the hope brought by nature.

The atmosphere is fully intensified by the aroma produced by the buoyant sea flowers. In addition, from afar, images of leafless trees are also observed. The perfect combination of the vegetation along the beach and inside the sea displays the beauty of nature to the highest peak.

It mesmerizes the eyes to gaze at the beautiful creatures that hover all over the beach and on the deep-sea waters. There are sights of beautiful birds that fly all over the dry shoreland and over the seawaters. Their colored feathers brightened the sea with a marvelous appearance at their illumination by the sun’s rays.

There are varieties of birds that are in the vicinity. For instance, there are pelicans and seagulls. Pelicans are seen hovering over the sand, singing sweet melodies that make the atmosphere at the beach vibrant. The seagulls are also observed to be flying over the seawater in small groups. Some of the birds are gathered in groups spreading the wings that cloaked a soft shadow on the gentle water ripples.

Next to the shore, there are sea turtles that seem to enjoy the summer heat from the sun. Their eggs are also seen to be exposed on the sand by the children that play on the shoreline. Bees are seen flying from one flower to another over the sea grapes. The humming of the bees as they gather nectar from the sea flowers attracts insect-eating birds.

Large crowds are observed all over the seashore. These people come to enjoy themselves on the beach at this period of the year. In the sea, people of all ages and sexes are seen swimming and playing with the cool seawater. The scorching heat from the summer sun is felt on the forehead of all individuals.

This makes the people chill themselves in the cool waters of the sea. The children are seen playing beach ball on the shoreline. Some children are also seen pelt each other with sand on the shoreline. Besides, young boys are observed climbing tall palm trees to gather fruits.

What is more, several activities take place along and inside the shoreline. Vendors are seen carrying ice creams and soft drinks all over the shoreline. Views of homes, hotels, and other buildings that run along the peak of the beach are also seen. On the sand where children play, pieces of shells are scattered.

In most cases, children collect the shells for fun. In the shades built along the shoreline, people are seen reading books, journals, and magazines. Some are seen idling on the sand, while few adults are observed playing football.

However, there is a disgusting scene of plastic bags, cigarette butts, food wrappers, and beer bottles along the beach. These items seem to pollute the entire shoreline and the seawater.

Anglers are also observed far into the sea casting large nets into the waters to have a bulk catch of their prey. Some of the anglers are also observed perching on the edge of the shore carrying sticks in their hands. Their faces displayed the anticipation that they had for their prey.

The deep waters of the sea produce a marvelous view for anyone who gazes at the sea. The water is seen to be slowly running low on the shore. Small waves are also observed crashing on the shoreline. The surface of the sea is seen to appear blue in color.

However, some portions are also seen to have the spectrum that results from the sun’s refracted rays. Deep inside the sea, there are high waves that lift boats up and down mightily. The shimmering waves of the sea that are clear and blue mirror the rays of the hot sun. The refreshing breeze that emanates from the seawater is enjoyable.

In conclusion, the beach has a perfect view and activities that are delightful to experience during the summer. It is a place that everyone would love to be at all times.

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Write a Good Travel Essay. Please.

Kathleen Boardman

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Editor’s Note: We know that many of you are looking for help writing travel experience essays for school or simply writing about a trip for your friends or family. To inspire you and help you write your next trip essay—whether it’s an essay about a trip with family or simply a way to remember your best trip ever (so far)—we enlisted the help of Professor Kathleen Boardman, whose decades of teaching have helped many college students learn the fine art of autobiography and life writing. Here’s advice on how to turn a simple “my best trip” essay into a story that will inspire others to explore the world.

Welcome home! Now that you’re back from your trip, you’d like to share it with others in a travel essay. You’re a good writer and a good editor of your work, but you’ve never tried travel writing before. As your potential reader, I have some advice and some requests for you as you write your travel experience essay.

Trip Essays: What to Avoid

Please don’t tell me everything about your trip. I don’t want to know your travel schedule or the names of all the castles or restaurants you visited. I don’t care about the plane trip that got you there (unless, of course, that trip is the story).

I have a friend who, when I return from a trip, never asks me, “How was your trip?” She knows that I would give her a long, rambling answer: “… and then … and then … and then.” So instead, she says, “Tell me about one thing that really stood out for you.” That’s what I’d like you to do in this travel essay you’re writing.

The Power of Compelling Scenes

One or two “snapshots” are enough—but make them great. Many good writers jump right into the middle of their account with a vivid written “snapshot” of an important scene. Then, having aroused their readers’ interest or curiosity, they fill in the story or background. I think this technique works great for travel writing; at least, I would rather enjoy a vivid snapshot than read through a day-to-day summary of somebody’s travel journal.

Write About a Trip Using Vivid Descriptions

Take your time. Tell a story. So what if you saw things that were “incredible,” did things that were “amazing,” observed actions that you thought “weird”? These words don’t mean anything to me unless you show me, in a story or a vivid description, the experience that made you want to use those adjectives.

I’d like to see the place, the people, or the journey through your eyes, not someone else’s. Please don’t rewrite someone else’s account of visiting the place. Please don’t try to imitate a travel guide or travelogue or someone’s blog or Facebook entry. You are not writing a real travel essay unless you are describing, as clearly and honestly as possible, yourself in the place you visited. What did you see, hear, taste, say? Don’t worry if your “take” on your experience doesn’t match what everyone else says about it. (I’ve already read what THEY have to say.)

The Importance of Self-Editing Your Trip Essay

Don’t give me your first draft to read. Instead, set it aside and then reread it. Reread it again. Where might I need more explanation? What parts of your account are likely to confuse me? (After all, I wasn’t there.) Where might you be wasting my time by repeating or rambling on about something you’ve already told me?

Make me feel, make me laugh, help me learn something. But don’t overdo it: Please don’t preach to me about broadening my horizons or understanding other cultures. Instead, let me in on your feelings, your change of heart and mind, even your fear and uncertainty, as you confronted something you’d never experienced before. If you can, surprise me with something I didn’t know or couldn’t have suspected.

You Can Do It: Turning Your Trip into a Great Travel Experience Essay

I hope you will take yourself seriously as a traveler and as a writer. Through what—and how—you write about just a small portion of your travel experience, show me that you are an interesting, thoughtful, observant person. I will come back to you, begging for more of your travel essays.

Take Notes in a Cute Journal

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Tips for Writing a "What I Did on Vacation" Essay

• Writing Essays
• Writing Research Papers
• English Grammar
• M.Ed., Education Administration, University of Georgia
• B.A., History, Armstrong State University

Are you required to write an essay about your summer vacation or your holiday break? This can be a tough assignment to tackle at first glance. But if you think about it, there are lots of interesting things that happen on your vacation that others might enjoy reading about. The key to success is to zero in on the experiences, people, or situations that made your vacation unique.

Summer vacation can be busy or lazy, funny or serious. You may have traveled with your family, worked every day, fallen in love, or coped with a difficult situation. To start your essay, you'll need to choose a topic and tone.

Family Vacation Essay Topic Ideas

If you traveled with your family, you may have some great stories to tell. After all, every family is crazy in its own way. Want some proof? How many Hollywood films have themes about family holidays or trips? Those films are popular because they enable us to glimpse inside the crazy family lives of others. Alternatively, you may have a more serious story to tell.

Consider these funny topics:

• Why I'll Never Go Back to (insert place name)
• How (insert name) Drove Me Crazy in Five Days
• Traveling to (insert city) Then and Now
• The Hazards of Traveling With a (person or thing)
• Why You Shouldn't Take a Dog to (insert place)
• I Left (insert city) But My (lost item) Stayed
• Why I Couldn't Sleep in (place name)

If your family vacation involved something more serious, think about one of these topics:

• The Love I Left Behind in (insert place)
• Saying Good-Bye to (insert person or place)
• Exploring (place's) Secrets
• An Emotional Trip

Summer Job Essay Topic Ideas

Not everyone gets to spend the summer having fun; some of us have to work for a living. If you spent your summer at a job, chances are you met a lot of interesting characters, dealt with complicated situations, or even saved the day once or twice. Here are some ideas for summer job topics:

• The Boss's Day Off
• The Customer From Hell
• What I Learned from My Customers
• Why I'll Never Go Into the ___ Business
• Six Things I Learned on the Job

How to Write the Essay

Once you've chosen your topic and your tone, think about the story you want to tell. In most cases, your essay will follow a typical story arc:

• The hook (the funny, sad, or scary sentence that grabs the reader's attention)
• The rising action (the beginning of your story)
• The climax (the most exciting moment in your story)
• The denouement (the aftermath or ending to your story)

Start by writing out the basic outline of your story. For example, "I started cleaning a guest's room and found that they'd left behind a wallet with $100 in cash. When I turned it in without taking a single dollar for myself, my boss rewarded me with a $100 gift certificate and a special award for honesty."

Next, start fleshing out the details. What was the room like? What was the guest like? What did the wallet look like and where was it left? Were you tempted to just take the money and turn in the wallet empty? How did your boss look when you handed her the wallet? How did you feel when you got your reward? How did others around you react to your honesty?

Once you've told your story in all its detail, it's time to write the hook and conclusion. What question or thought can you use to grab your reader's attention? For example: "What would you do if you found a wallet loaded with cash? That was my dilemma this summer."

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How To Write a Good Travel Essay

• March 18, 2020

Travelling is one of the most exciting parts of everyone’s life. In the same way, this experience has the potential to be a fascinating topic for your writing assignments.

Writing a travel essay requires minimal creativity because trips are full of extraordinary events by their nature, as well as dramas and cultural findings. So, there’s no need to make things up or think through ideas while you are writing this kind of essay. To make life even easier you can even order essay .

However, as easy as it may sound, turning a travel experience into a piece of writing can be a bit challenging for students. Because if not careful, they will end up writing some dull clichés about a bunch of different places, and nothing more.

If you’ve never read any trips or you don’t have enough time to write a paper, you can quickly get your essay written by making use of available writing services. However, here we present some practical guidelines to help you write an exceptional essay:

Select Your Favorite City

Sometimes a trip is explicitly taken to collect information for an essay. If this is true about you, take your time to choose your destination carefully. Do some research before deciding on the city. Read about various regions and see which ones inspire you the most.

Your task here is to share useful information with people and get them involved in your journey. If you can’t enjoy your own trip, how can you let others have fun while reading the story? So it’s essential to choose a destination that you are interested in.

Choose a Few Attractions

Every city or town usually has several tourist attractions. If you attempt to include every single place you visited on that journey, your writing would be a boring list of city attractions that can be found anywhere, such as a tourist website.

Rather than mentioning multiple sights, focus on two or three places, and provide detailed information about them. Let readers know few, but know well.

Another point is that famous attractions are not proper choices for your writing because almost everyone knows the basic information about these places. Put your focus on unknown sites, remembering that people want to hear about something they have never heard.

Write a Compelling First Paragraph

Your first paragraph is usually the most important one. It’s where you convince the readers you had an incredible trip – one that has something new to teach your audience and is worth reading about.

Start with an unusual tradition you witnessed, an interesting dialogue you had, or a cultural misunderstanding you faced during your journey.

Use your sense of humor. Be as innovative as you can. No matter what you do, the final aim is to engage the readers and make them stick to your story.

Show Rather Than Tell

‘Showing’ is what makes a difference between a boring and outstanding travel essay. When you show something with your words, you actually describe what you experienced in full details. However, when you tell something, it’s like you’re just giving a brief report on what you did.

Readers won’t understand what an incredible park, a fabulous road, or a fantastic building means unless you show it to them. Showing makes the readers feel they’ve been there with you.

Therefore, don’t merely rely on telling where you went. Instead, add specific descriptions about that place, talk about your feelings, and paint an imaginary picture of that space in the minds of readers.

Images serve as a complement to your verbal description as they help readers imagine your story better.

One or two pictures is enough, but try to pick the most breathtaking ones that are more related to your narrative. Also, remember that vivid shots are always a better option than black and white ones because they are more eye-catching and can better intrigue the reader’s curiosity.

Keep It Simple

The primary purpose of writing a traveling essay is to entertain your readers. So, there’s no need to show off by using literary words or highly academic structure. Instead, use an active voice, try to be friendly, and bring readers closer to your story.

In this kind of essay, your writing intelligence depends on your ability to amuse people and your art of describing scenes, not using a lot of fluffy sentences.

Describe What You Achieved

If your traveling experience didn’t teach you anything or couldn’t make a positive change in your life, it would be a significant loss of time and money. Every great experience comes with great achievement. This can be as small as a shift in your beliefs, or as big as making wonderful friends. Whatever the accomplishment is, it’s worth telling your readers about it.

Give Readers a Good Ending

Every fantastic narrative begins with a good starting point, continues with a climax, and ends with a reasonable conclusion. Plan your paragraphs before writing. Think about the ways you want to start your story, go through the rising action, and then slow it down gradually to let readers know they are reaching the end of the story. If you end your writing in the middle of the turning point where the reader is reading the most thrilling part of the story, they might get puzzled and confused. It’s like putting an obstacle in front of a high-speed runner and making him stop all of a sudden.

Bottom Line

Travels are full of new experiences. Sometimes a short trip gives you a handful of stories to tell your future grandchildren. They have a lot to teach us and therefore, a lot to talk about. So why not use them as a subject for your writings? The next time you will be searching the net for online essay writing services with “interesting topics to write my essay,” think about your traveling experiences and bring everything you can remember on the paper. Then, google some “help write my essay tips” to learn the main guidelines for writing a travel essay.

Related Topics

• essay writing
• student travel

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How to Build a Photo Essay Into a Great Travel Story

Photographer, and 2019 scholarship judge mark edward harris, takes us through his published japanese bath house photo essay and explains how to tell a story through images..

Find your subject

Components of a photo essay.

Professional photographer Mark Edward Harris has been on photographic  assignments that have taken him to more than 100 countries on six continents.   Here, he offers his advice on getting your photo essay ready for publication.

A photo essay is a series of images that make up a story. Simple enough. The key, then, is to find a compelling story to tell visually and, if you want to see the end results in print or online, understand what type of story will most likely get an editor’s attention.  Annie Leibovitz told me while discussing concept development, “sometimes photographers overlook the thing that is right in front of them – it just seems too obvious”. In other words, the best photo essays are often the ones that come from a personal interest, so search inside yourself before you go looking outside for ideas. Your own hometown will undoubtedly have some hidden, and not-so-hidden, treasures that could yield great photo essays. This, at the very least, is a great starting point.

Before venturing out into the world keep in mind that editors have a mantra, “a location is not a story.” Rather than a place, they want you to explore deeper with your camera. Get inside your location, find human-interest stories, and for publications try and peg your photo essay to the anniversary of a special or historic event (find my tips on pitching to editors here ). Look for stories that give both you and the viewer an inside look into a culture by focusing on a person, a ritual, a unique aspect of history - the list is endless.

Let’s take my The Way of the Japanese Bath  series as an example (pictured throughout). The third book edition was released on October 31 2019, and the images have appeared in hundreds of publications including more than a dozen magazine covers around the globe. Rather than trying to photograph Japan, I was looking for something that gave a glimpse into a culture that has fascinated me since childhood. I discovered my long-term photo essay in the hot spring resort of Beppu, a town often shrouded in water vapor on the southern island of Kyushu. It converted me into a furo-aholic (bath-aholic) in the early 1990s.

Three decades later, I still find the magical waters an endless source of both visual and visceral pleasure. I don’t think I could have done this project without the ability to speak conversational Japanese. What special skills, insights, and interests do you have? One of the reasons the great  Sebastiao Salgado has been so successful with his photo essays and book projects is because his advanced studies in economics have given him special insight and understanding of how these forces play such an impactful role on the human condition. If you are not very familiar with his work, watch the documentary, The Salt of the Earth .

Just like making a movie, the photos that make up the story are not usually captured chronologically. Rather, they are shot in a way that works best logistically and then assembled in an order that works to best communicate the storyline.

The establishing shot is a vital component of a photo essay. This opening image should give the viewer a sense of what the story to follow will be about. Be on the lookout for this type of photo opportunity as you’re creating your story.

Perhaps the most important photograph to take in a human-interest photo essay is the environmental portrait. The idea behind this  type of portrait is to show a person in a context that relates to them. Rather than hiding back with a long lens, try to communicate with the people you are capturing photos of (you can read up on photography etiquette here ). Successful travel and documentary photographers have to break through that veil of insecurity and engage with people in a variety of situations.  A few words in the local language can go a long way to achieve that. The goal is to create an image that transmits emotional content and engagement with the subject.

A photo essay wraps up with a closing shot. It can be as simple as the setting sun with elements of your location since that time of day conveys a sense of completion.  For my The Way of the Japanese Bath series, I finish with a few images in the room of a ryokan (Japanese-style inn), a logical place to conclude a day of bathing.  

Back home, I process my images and put my selects in an order that best visually conveys the experience of the Japanese hot spring. In this task, it's vital for each edition of my book that I’m a decisive editor. I have no desire to be on the receiving end of a critique like the one delivered by American satirist Ambrose Bierce – “the covers of this book are too far apart."

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I would love to connect with as many photojournalists as possible about breaking into this career please. That's my preferred email address. Hope to hear from as many as possible

The article has broadened my scope in photography. And how to go about projects. With the short of the pictures does it always have to be ready or you just have to go in for it you create you own you own it. I would like to know more about photography in your point of view and photo essays as well. Yes with the photo essays does the text always have to explain the pictures. Thank you

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Home Essay Samples Life

Essay Samples on Vacation

My unforgettable summer vacation: a tapestry of memories.

The sun-drenched days, carefree laughter, and endless possibilities — summer vacations have a way of etching themselves into the depths of our hearts, becoming woven into the tapestry of our lives. Among the myriad of seasons, one particular summer stands out as a kaleidoscope of...

Personal Vacation Experience of Unveiling the Wonders of Asia

The lure of the exotic, the tantalizing aromas, and the vibrant tapestry of cultures - Asia beckoned me with its enigmatic charm, promising a vacation experience full of discovery and awe. This essay recounts my extraordinary vacation experience in Asia, a voyage that transported me...

Miraculous Vacation on the Beach: a Serenade of Sun and Sea

The allure of the beach — the rhythmic crashing of waves, the caress of warm sand beneath my toes, and the sun's gentle kiss on my skin — creates an irresistible call to escape to a world of relaxation and tranquility. This essay about vacation...

My Favorite Vacation with Grandparents: Timeless Bonds and Memories

Some of life's most precious moments are woven into the fabric of our childhood, where love, laughter, and adventure intertwine to create indelible memories. Among these cherished moments, one vacation stands out as a tapestry of joy and connection - one of my favorite vacation...

• Grandparent

My Best Vacation: a Memorable Experience That I Won't Forget

It was about 5 months before the summer holidays began and I decided I wanted to go for a vacation to the sea. I told my uncles, and he agreed. Now I am going to describe my best vacation in this short essay. Here I...

• Personal Experience

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My Dream Vacation - the Escape to the Enchanting Maldives

In the recesses of my imagination, there exists a place that surpasses all boundaries of beauty and serenity — a destination that has captivated my dreams and fueled my wanderlust. It is a place where azure waters meet pristine white sands, where vibrant cultures intertwine,...

• About Myself

Ideal Vacation: Celebrating Brotherhood with My Brothers

In the tapestry of my life, there exists a chapter of cherished memories, laughter, and camaraderie - this was my ideal vacation spent with my brothers. In this essay I share my ideal vacation with my brothers, a time of shared adventures, deepening bonds, and...

• Family Relationships

Perfect Vacation in Winter: a Journey to Snowy Wonderland

In the realm of snow-capped peaks, glistening landscapes, and the crackling of fireside warmth, lies my idea of a perfect winter vacation—a serene escape into a perfect winter vacation that awakens the senses and the soul. This essay paints a picture of my dream winter...

My Unforgettable Vacation: a Personal Journey Etched in Time

In the realm of cherished memories and transformative experiences, there exists an extraordinary chapter of my life—an unforgettable vacation that forever imprints its indelible mark upon my soul. As I reflect upon the breathtaking landscapes, vibrant cultures, and profound moments of self-discovery during my unforgettable...

Memorable Vacation with Family: a Journey of Joy and Togetherness

I want begin writing about my memorable vacation with family essay, with a story about incredible experiences and precious moments that made our time together truly unforgettable. Recalling Warm Memories From the Most Memorable Vacation With Family The warm sun, the sound of laughter, and...

How to Plan a Vacation Trip: Correct Navigation of the Process

Embarking on a vacation trip holds the promise of adventure, relaxation, and a much-needed break from the routine of everyday life. However, it is crucial to proper understand how to plan a vacation trip. This essay serves as a practical guide to help individuals navigate...

The Most Memorable Vacation in My Life: Visting Costa Rica

Among the many chapters of my life, one particular vacation stands out as a vivid tapestry of treasured moments - a journey that has woven its threads of joy, adventure, and personal growth into the fabric of my most memorable vacation. This essay recounts such...

Beach Vacation with Friends in Italy: Sun, Sand and La Dolce Vita

A vibrant tapestry of laughter, shared adventures, and the sun-kissed shores of Italy — the stage was set for an unforgettable beach vacation with my friends. This essay captures the essence of our idyllic getaway, where the allure of the Italian coastline intertwined with the...

Reasons Why Implementing Year-round Schooling Is A Bad Idea

The curse of the U.S. long summer break is the summer slide that the American youth experiences Although the system implemented now of a serious of breaks and schooling provide some benefit, there is greater benefit in the school system switching to year-round. The implementation...

• American Education System
• Public School

Finding The Appropriate Vacation Place For Spring Break

So, spring break is just around the corner, and you would like to want to know the best destinations to kick back and enjoy your vacation? Fear not, because we have compiled a short list of amazing destinations for your upcoming spring break. Las Vegas...

• Spring Break

Ethnography of Tourism and Ecotourism in Cuba

Employing a theoretical and historical lens when looking at the issue of tourism and ecotourism in Cuba, it becomes apparent that capital profit exploitation of a geographical area has the power to negotiate meanings, ideas and identities in Cuba. Within the article of Fleeting Dreams...

• Latin American Tourism

Memories of My Skiing Vacation To Europe

Around a year ago, I went on a skiing vacation to France and had a great time by all accounts. The best part was that I went with all my friends, all of which had varied abilities, but were all eager to give it a...

Planning the Perfect Corporate Tour

The number of steps from the lift to your desk has been memorized. You think your fingers can’t get anymore numb from tapping the keyboard and yet, the increasing lack of sensation each day surprises you. The numbers and data you loved to work with...

Impression Of Visiting Hawaii During My Vacation

We had stepped out of the plane at the Honolulu Airport, and into a world, we have never encountered before. It was the first ever vacation beside my extended family, and it was off to a great start. The dazzling bright sunlight shone across the...

Our Spring Break Vacations In Florida

Every year, toward the beginning, my family always start to plan what we will be doing for spring break and where we will be spending it. Somehow we always choose Florida. I’m not sure if it’s because they live close enough to drive there or...

Where To Go For A Beach Vacation

Are you tired of working? If yes, then you should take a break from work for a while. You can go for a short vacation to somewhere so that you can reduce your stress and anxiety. A vacation is always helpful for us as it...

The Importance Of Paternity Leave To Avoid Insecure Attachments

Paternity leave is a period of time when a father leaves work because he is expecting a new child into his family. Some companies may or may not have an official paternity leave policy. Typically, new dads do not receive paid time off after the...

Best topics on Vacation

1. My Unforgettable Summer Vacation: a Tapestry of Memories

2. Personal Vacation Experience of Unveiling the Wonders of Asia

3. Miraculous Vacation on the Beach: a Serenade of Sun and Sea

4. My Favorite Vacation with Grandparents: Timeless Bonds and Memories

5. My Best Vacation: a Memorable Experience That I Won’t Forget

6. My Dream Vacation – the Escape to the Enchanting Maldives

7. Ideal Vacation: Celebrating Brotherhood with My Brothers

8. Perfect Vacation in Winter: a Journey to Snowy Wonderland

9. My Unforgettable Vacation: a Personal Journey Etched in Time

10. Memorable Vacation with Family: a Journey of Joy and Togetherness

11. How to Plan a Vacation Trip: Correct Navigation of the Process

12. The Most Memorable Vacation in My Life: Visting Costa Rica

13. Beach Vacation with Friends in Italy: Sun, Sand and La Dolce Vita

14. Reasons Why Implementing Year-round Schooling Is A Bad Idea

15. Finding The Appropriate Vacation Place For Spring Break

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How I Spent My Summer Vacation Essay for Students and Children

500+ words essay on how i spent my summer vacation.

Summertime is the most awaited time of any student’s life . It gives them a break from the scorching sun and blazing heat. The summer months are quite hot, however, students love them because they bring a sense of calmness due to the vacations. It frees them from the monotonous and dull routine of school and studies.

Most importantly, summer vacations give us a chance to explore new things. We can adopt new hobbies like painting, dancing, singing and more during this time. Furthermore, it gives us a chance to visit our grandparents or to someplace abroad. Summer vacations bring all types of fun, however, these particular summer vacations were the most memorable for me. My parents made me join a summer camp which was too much fun and then we visited our grandparents’ place.

Summer Camp

As the first day of my summer vacations started, I started getting bored easily. Mostly so because all my friends had gone to someplace or the other. My parents noticed this and decided to send me to a summer camp. Our school itself was organizing one in which my parents got me enrolled.

At first, I thought it would be of no use and would be equally boring. However, to my surprise, I was wrong. The summer camp was one of the best experiences of my life. I got the chance to indulge in so many activities and in fact, it was the first time where I discovered my talent for painting.

We got up early in the morning at 7 o’clock, despite no school. We had trainers who would teach us different things each day. On the first day, I got to learn karate, which was very amusing and helpful. Further, I learned how to play sports like basketball , table tennis, and volleyball.

Finally, came my most awaited part. We were taught painting and unique tips to master this art. I learned it quickly and started enjoying painting. My passion for painting began from this summer camp , and I will forever be indebted to it.

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My Grandparents’ Place

After my summer camp ended, my whole family decided to visit my grandparent’s village . It is situated away from the city and is full of lush and greenery. I love spending time with my grandparents so I was very excited to visit their village.

We stayed there for over two weeks, and that throughout that time, I was at my best behavior. I used to get up at 7 o’clock in the morning to take a stroll with my grandfather. Then all the family members would get together to have breakfast full of healthy things and fresh fruits from the farm nearby.

In the evening, we would sit by our grandmother’s bed and listen to stories. Then, my siblings and I used to go to the terrace and play games. We would also gaze at their stars all night, as we did not get that in the city.

In short, this is how I spent my summer vacation. It was definitely one of the best times of my lives. I got to learn new things and spend valuable time with my grandparents. I feel blessed to have a loving family with whom I can enjoy my summer vacation.

Q.1 Why are summer vacations important?

A.1 Summer vacations are the most important and awaited time of a student’s life. It gives them a break from their monotonous routine. Furthermore, summer vacations protect students from the scorching heat and give them a chance to visit hilly stations.

Q.2 How can one utilize their summer vacation?

A.2 There a lot of ways to utilize a summer vacation. It can be done through indulging in many activities. One can join summer camps which teach new skills to students. One can also pay a visit to their grandparents or to some chilly place or abroad to enjoy it to the fullest.

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Vacation — My Favorite Vacation: A Journey to Paradise

My Favorite Vacation: a Journey to Paradise

• Categories: Journey Vacation

About this sample

Words: 871 |

Published: Sep 16, 2023

Words: 871 | Pages: 2 | 5 min read

Table of contents

Destination: bali, indonesia, embracing nature's wonders, exploring a rich culture, relaxation and rejuvenation, connecting with the locals, a journey that continues.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, how should i approach writing my emotional college essay.

I'm a junior getting a head start on college applications and I've decided to write my essay on the most emotional experience I've had till now. However, I'm stuck on how to approach this without making it sound too heavy or dramatic. Does anyone have any tips on how to convey my emotions in a manner that would resonate with the admissions officers?

Sure, writing an essay on an emotional experience can be a bit tricky, but it can also be a powerful way to connect with admissions officers. Here are some tips:

Firstly, be honest and authentic. You want to convey genuine emotion, not dramatize or exaggerate for effect. The most effective essays are those that feel real and honest, not manufactured or overly sensationalized.

Second, focus on personal growth or lessons learned. Emotional experiences often lead to significant growth or teach us valuable lessons. So, instead of just describing the event, discuss what you learned from it and how it changed you. This can help lighten the overall tone of the essay by showing resilience and personal growth.

Third, keep your audience in mind. College admissions officers read thousands of essays, so it's important to strike a balance between sharing deep, personal content and maintaining professionalism. Be careful not to include anything too graphic or appropriating someone else's trauma.

Lastly, use imagery and descriptive language to help the reader understand your emotions. Instead of stating how you felt, try and paint a picture that allows the reader to experience the emotion with you. For example, instead of saying "I was nervous," you might write, "My palms were slick with sweat, my heart pounding in my chest, and I found myself holding my breath."

Remember writing is often revising, so don't worry if your first draft isn't perfect. Writing about emotional experiences can be cathartic and refreshing just by getting your thoughts on paper. Good luck!

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CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

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• School Education /

Essay on Summer Vacation: Samples for Students

• Updated on  
• Jun 18, 2024

Summer vacation offers a cherished break from routine. It’s a time to unwind, explore, and create lasting memories. Whether relaxing on sandy shores or venturing into new cities, the freedom of summer allows for rejuvenation. Activities like swimming, hiking, or simply reading a book by the pool offer a sense of bliss. 

It’s a chance to bond with family and friends, sharing laughter and experiences. As the warm sunsets, the moments lived during this break become stories that enrich our lives and fuel our dreams until the next summer adventure arrives.

Table of Contents

• 1.1 Introduction
• 1.2 Activities and Destinations
• 1.3 Quality Time with Family and Friends
• 1.4 Reflection on Memories
• 1.5 Returning to School
• 1.6 Conclusion
• 1.7 Things to Include in Essay on Summer Vacation
• 2 Essay on Summer Vacation in 100 words
• 3 Essays on Summer Vacation: 200 Words Sample
• 4 Summer Vacation Essay 500 words

Summer Vacation Essay for Students: How to Write 

When writing a summer vacation essay for students, it’s important to include a variety of points to provide a well-rounded perspective of the experiences and emotions associated with the break. 

Here are some key points to consider including in your essay:

Introduction

• Introduce the concept of summer vacation and its significance for students.
• Set the tone for the essay by expressing the anticipation and excitement of the break.

Activities and Destinations

• Describe the different activities you engaged in during your summer vacation.
• Discuss any trips you took, whether it was a family vacation, a road trip, or a visit to a new place.
• Mention specific destinations, such as beaches, mountains, cities, or cultural sites.

Quality Time with Family and Friends

• Emphasize the importance of spending time with loved ones.
• Share anecdotes and experiences of bonding with family and friends during the vacation.

Reflection on Memories

• Reflect on memorable experiences and moments that stood out during the vacation.
• Share stories or incidents that left a lasting impression on you.

Returning to School

• Transition to the end of the vacation and the feelings associated with going back to school.
• Express a mix of nostalgia and renewed energy for the upcoming academic year.
• Summarize the various aspects of your summer vacation and its impact on you.
• Conclude by highlighting the value of breaks like these in shaping holistic growth.

Also Read – Essay on Human Rights

Things to Include in Essay on Summer Vacation

• During my summer vacation, I do a lot of new things and have fun.
• Doing artwork and playing with my friends are two of favourite things to do in summer vacation.
• During my summer vacations, I usually visit my grandparents and spend some days with them.
• Me and my sister help our grandfather to water plants. His hobby is gardening.
• At bedtime, I love to hear stories from my grandmother.
• One of my favourite things of mine is the delicious food that my grandmother makes during summer vacation.
• During my summer vacation, I love to spend time with my family and watch movies with them.

Use descriptive language to make your experiences come to life for the reader. Additionally, aim for a balanced mix of personal reflection and broader insights into the significance of summer vacation for students.

Also Read – Essay on Waste Management

Essay on Summer Vacation in 100 words

Also Read: Essay on Global Warming

Essays on Summer Vacation: 200 Words Sample

Also Read: Essay on Indian Farmers in 100, 200, and 350 words

Summer Vacation Essay 500 words

Also Read: Short and Long Essay on National Memorial Day

Summer vacation denotes the period of leisure in the summer season. Due to the elevated environmental temperatures, particularly in late May and throughout June, educational institutions such as schools and colleges remain shuttered during this interval.

Summer is a period of prime significance for children. Children have the freedom to engage in activities of their choice. During the break, they have the opportunity to revel in the company of their parents, closest companions, neighbours, and more.

Opting to frequent hill stations annually can provide respite from the unbearable summer heat.

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Aditi Gupta

A bachelors in Journalism and Mass Communication graduate, I am an enthusiastic writer. I love to write about impactful content which can help others. I love to binge watch and listen to music during my free time.

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66 Imagery Examples + 8 Types to Ignite Your Imagination

• Updated: 03/04/24
• Comments: 0

We partner with bada$$ companies that offer products that help our readers achieve their goals! If you purchase through our partner links, we get paid for the referral at no additional cost to you! Read our disclosure for more info.

Imagery examples can be a powerful tool of communication used in literature, TV, art, music, and other mediums.

It’s used in writing and storytelling to help readers and listeners connect with characters or events on a more personal level.

There are many different types of imagery that we will cover in this article, including examples of imagery for each type.

Different types of imagery come together to create an immersive experience that helps draw people into stories by creating vivid mental pictures in their minds while they read (or listen).

Imagery can also be used in everyday speech and writing to help communicate ideas more effectively and make them easier to remember through the use of memorable visuals.

Using imagery to communicate concepts clearly and effectively makes it easier for readers to understand the point being made without getting lost in the words or distracted.

In this article, we’re going to cover the different types of imagery, the differences between literal and figurative descriptive language, and provide imagery examples every step of the way!

What is Imagery?

Imagery is a literary device that uses vivid descriptions to create pictures and evoke feelings through the use of descriptive language. It’s used to enhance the reader’s experience through powerful and impactful descriptions.

Imagery evokes emotion, helps create a deeper connection to characters and plots, as well as creates an atmosphere that draws readers in and enhances their understanding.

Descriptive imagery allows you to engage with the story by using not only the author’s words but also your own imagination.

The use of imagery can create a certain mood or tone that can further emphasize certain themes in literature.

For example, if an author wants to emphasize loss in a story, they might use imagery of death or desolation that will evoke feelings of sadness and pain in their writing.

Imagery is also important in painting, film, music, and other forms of art where visual elements are key components.

In painting, imagery is important in conveying meaning through color, shape, and other techniques such as perspective and lighting.

When used properly, imagery can tell stories without relying on words or dialogue.

In music, imagery can be used is to create soundscapes—vivid sonic landscapes that evoke different emotional responses from listeners based on what instruments are chosen.

Imagery in Literal and Figurative Language

Imagery can be used in both literal and figurative language, with each having its own distinct purpose and effect.

Literal language is the use of words to mean exactly what they say, while figurative language is the use of words to create a vivid mental image or emotion.

With literal language, you convey your message in a pretty straightforward manner, providing specific details that describe a particular object or situation.

An example of literal imagery would be: “The bark on the tree was rough and brown”.

Literal imagery in writing gives readers an exact picture of what a tree looks like without any abstract interpretation.

Unlike literal language which simply states what something is, figurative imagery paints a picture or expresses something using literary devices such as metaphors, similies, and other comparisons.

For example, you could say that compare someone’s strength to “an army of giants” rather than stating how strong they are in literal terms.

This helps readers connect with characters on an emotional level by creating powerful visual images in their minds.

Types of Figurative Language That Use Imagery

Figurative language is an important tool for authors, artists, and speakers to help their audience feel emotions and create mental pictures from their messages, music, and other creations.

Figurative language can be categorized into 8 main types of literary devices.

1. Metaphors

Metaphors are comparisons made between two unrelated objects or ideas in order to create a deeper understanding of one.

For example, someone might describe their anger as “a roaring fire” or “a storm brewing inside.”

This type of organic imagery in writing helps readers understand the character’s emotional state more deeply and creates a strong mental image that they can relate to.

2. Similies

Similes are similar to metaphors in that they make a comparison between two things but with the added difference of using words such as ‘like’ or ‘as’.

For example, someone might describe their excitement “like a kid on Christmas morning” or “as giddy as a schoolgirl.”

Similes are effective at creating vivid imagery because they compare tangible objects with abstract emotions, making them easier to visualize.

3. Pesonification

Personification is when you give human attributes or characteristics to non-human objects.

An example of olfactory imagery to demonstrate this would be “the wind was singing its mournful song” instead of simply describing it as blowing or breezy.

Personification allows readers to connect with characters on a deeper level by giving them life-like qualities.

4. Hyperbole

A hyperbole is a literary device that uses exaggeration to emphasize a point and create an impact.

For example, “the sun was hot enough to fry an egg” is a hyperbole that helps create a vivid mental image of a scorching hot day.

Hyperboles can be used with imagery to evoke emotions, create mental pictures, or highlight important qualities or characteristics.

5. Alliteration

Alliteration is the repetition of initial consonant sounds in a phrase or sentence.

For example, “the bubble burst in brilliant blues and greens” is an example of alliteration that creates a pleasing rhythm while also providing a vivid mental image.

It is often used in writing to create a poetic rhythm and make marketing words more memorable, which is an example alliteration in itself!

6. Onomatopoeia

Onomatopoeia is the use of words whose sounds imitate or suggest their meaning.

These words are used to evoke a certain emotion or create a vivid mental image.

For example, “the bee buzzed” evokes a strong mental image of the sound and movement of a bee.

It can be used to create imagery in writing by helping readers hear in their minds what is being described.

Idioms are phrases or expressions that have a figurative meaning different from the literal meanings of their individual words.

For example, “it was raining cats and dogs” is an idiom that helps you visualize heavy rainfall.

They can evoke strong imagery by comparing two unrelated things in a creative way.

8. Symbolism

Symbolism is the use of symbols to represent ideas or concepts. For example, a dove can be used to symbolize peace, hope, and freedom.

In literature, symbolism can be used to create powerful imagery that conveys meaning beyond its literal definition.

Types of Imagery + Examples of Imagery

Perhaps one of the best ways to understand how imagery is used is by diving into the different types of imagery and how they impact our senses.

Imagery appeals to the reader’s senses, helping to create vivid mental images in the reader’s mind.

Imagery can be divided into 7 main types: visual imagery, auditory imagery, olfactory imagery, gustatory imagery, tactile imagery, kinesthetic imagery, and mental imagery.

1. Visual Imagery (Sight)

Visual imagery involves descriptions of sight. Writers often use visual metaphors and similes to create an image using descriptive language.

They might describe a person as “a shining star” or a room as “ominous and dark.”

Visual images can also include personification such as describing the wind as having “fingers that brushed against her face like icy talons.”

These descriptions help create a more immersive and meaningful experience when receiving the message (or reading the story).

Examples of Visual Imagery

• The sun was a giant orange orb in the sky.
• The snowflakes glittered like diamonds.
• The trees swayed in the wind, their leaves resembling green flames.
• She had hair as golden as the sunrise.
• The snow covered the ground like a blanket of white velvet.

2. Auditory Imagery (Sound)

As you might guess, auditory imagery involves descriptions of sound.

You could describe a character’s voice as soft or husky or describe birds chirping in the morning sky.

By recreating sounds in words, writers help the reader feel closer to their characters and experience whatever setting they are in more realistically.

Examples of Auditory Imagery

• The wind whistled through the trees.
• The waves crashed against the shore like thunderous drums.
• The sound of laughter echoed off the walls of the room.
• She heard a distant roar on the horizon.
• The clock ticked like a drumbeat in her mind.

3. Olfactory Imagery (Smell)

Olfactory imagery involves descriptions relating to the sense of smell.

An olfactory metaphor can be used to describe someone’s perfume as being like “sweet honeycomb” or evoking a memory with a certain aroma such as “freshly-baked cookies wafting through the air” that triggers nostalgia for one’s childhood home.

Olfactory images can also be used to set the atmosphere by including descriptions of unpleasant smells such as sewage or burning rubber from car tires skidding on asphalt.

Examples of Olfactory Imagery

• She smelled something sweet and familiar, like freshly baked bread.
• The smell of fresh rain on asphalt brought back fond memories for him.
• The salty sea air blew in from the open window.
• The stench of rotting garbage was overwhelming in the alleyway at nightfall.
• She caught a faint, musky aroma coming from his cologne as he passed by her table.

4. Gustatory Imagery (Taste)

Gustatory imagery involves descriptions relating to the sense of taste.

Connecting with the reader’s sense of taste often involves similes or other literary devices such as describing food as being “as sweet as nectar” or comparing one thing to another such as calling someone’s personality “tart.”

Gustatory images help readers get an idea about how things taste without having to actually try them.

Examples of Gustatory Imagery

• His kiss was sweet as honey.
• Her words were as bitter as lemon juice.
• The soup tasted like a warm hug in a bowl.
• She savored the steak, tender and juicy like velvet on her tongue.
• The cake was so rich it felt almost sinful to eat it.

5. Tactile Imagery (Touch)

Tactile imagery involves descriptions relating to the sense of touch and texture.

This connection to the sense of touch allows readers to imagine what something feels like when touched without actually touching it themselves.

You can use tactile imagery to describe fur being soft and luxurious, water feeling cold and refreshing on the skin during a hot day, or rocks being rough and jagged underfoot while hiking up a mountainside.

Tactile imagery allows readers to form their own impressions about the sense of touch without physically touching it.

Examples of Tactile Imagery

• The grass tickled her feet like soft velvet.
• Her skin felt cold and clammy from fear.
• His fingertips were rough against her cheek as he wiped away a tear.
• She shivered in the icy rain, feeling droplets of ice on her skin like tiny needles pricking her flesh.
• He ran his hands over the smooth surface of the marble table top until it felt almost slick under his touch.

6. Kinesthetic Imagery (Movement)

Kinesthetic imagery is a type of sensory imagery that involves descriptions of movement and physical sensations.

It can be used to capture the feeling of a character’s movements, such as running or leaping through the air.

Kinesthetic imagery can also be used to describe how a person feels when they are in motion or how certain objects feel when touched.

Examples of Kinesthetic Imagery

• She felt her heart racing as she ran across the field.
• He jumped through the air, feeling like he was flying.
• Her hands trembled with anticipation when she touched his arm for the first time in months.
• He felt waves of energy radiating from her body as they danced together in rhythm to the music.
• She experienced a rush of adrenaline shooting through her veins when she saw how close they were to winning their basketball match.

7. Organic Imagery (Mental)

Organic imagery is a type of sensory imagery that involves descriptions of mental and emotional states.

It is used to capture the feelings, impressions, or reactions experienced by a character in a story.

This can be done through verbal and non-verbal cues such as facial expressions, body language, and dialogue.

Organic imagery is often used in writing to help the reader understand a character’s inner thoughts, feelings, and emotions.

Examples of Organic Imagery

• She felt a wave of relief wash over her as the weight of the situation finally lifted.
• His fear was palpable as he stepped into the unknown.
• Her eyes burned with anger and hatred when she saw what he had done.
• He felt a sudden surge of joy when he saw his family after being away for so long.
• She felt an overwhelming sense of dread when she heard the news.

Examples of Imagery in Literature

Here are some examples of poetic imagery and imagery in literature.

William Shakespeare

One of the most famous examples of imagery in literature can be found in William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet , where he uses powerful imagery to convey the intense emotions between the two protagonists.

He talks of “love being a smoke made with the fume of sighs,” which evokes an image of love as something intangible and beautiful.

He also writes about “lightning being held within love’s soft jail,” which creates an image of love as a prison, showing how it can trap people against their will.

Charles Dickens

In A Christmas Carol, Dickens uses imagery to describe Bob Cratchit’s family home on Christmas Eve:

“The fireplace was so clean that not even a coal was on the hearth; while the bright fire crackled away in cheerful comfort.”

This description creates an image of warmth and joy in a humble home at Christmas time, showing how Dickens powerfully captured the essence of this special holiday period.

The works of renowned poets such as John Keats are full of captivating imagery.

An example of kinesthetic imagery from Ode to a Nightingale is when Keats writes of being “transported beyond the sea of care,” which creates an image of a world where all worries and troubles can be forgotten.

Robert Frost

Robert Frost’s poem, Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, paints a vivid picture of the beauty of nature under the moonlight and snowfall.

He describes the peaceful silence that surrounds him as he stands alone near the woods using olfactory imagery:

“The only other sound’s the sweep / Of easy wind and downy flake.”

Ernest Hemingway

In Ernest Hemingway’s novel, The Sun Also Rises, imagery is used to portray the sense of disillusionment and aimlessness experienced by the characters. He writes:

“The streets were white in the moonlight. The rain had stopped and it was cold. Everything looked dead as if the life had gone out of it.”

This description using mostly visual imagery creates an image of a cold, lifeless world that reflects the inner states of his characters.

In Harper Lee’s, To Kill a Mockingbird, he uses powerful imagery to convey the atmosphere and mood of small-town Alabama during the 1930s.

She describes how the streets were “hot and breathless” on summer days (tactile imagery) and how the “shadow of a cloud passing across a moonlit night” (visual imagery) created an eerie atmosphere.

She also talks about how “the knotholes in the fence were like mysterious dark eyes staring at the children.”

These descriptions create powerful images that connect with the senses to help readers visualize and experience the setting of this classic novel.

FAQs About Imagery

Imagery examples in literature encompass the use of descriptive language to evoke sensory experiences and paint vivid pictures for the reader. Five notable examples of imagery include:

• Visual Imagery : Describing what one sees, often creating a vivid picture. Example: “The sky was a clear azure, dotted with fluffy, white clouds.”
• Auditory Imagery : Pertaining to sounds, helping readers hear what is being described. Example: “The leaves rustled in the wind, whispering secrets as we passed.”
• Tactile Imagery : Involves the sense of touch, describing textures and sensations. Example: “The sand was hot and coarse under her feet, like walking on tiny coals.”
• Olfactory Imagery : Relates to smells, enabling readers to imagine scents described. Example: “The aroma of freshly baked bread wafted through the air, warming the soul.”
• Gustatory Imagery : Focuses on taste, describing flavors in detail. Example: “The chocolate melted on her tongue, a rich mix of sweet and bitter, like an unspoken promise of joy.”

A good imagery sentence vividly invokes one or more of the five senses (sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste) to paint a detailed picture in the reader’s mind. Here is an example: “The sunset painted the sky in hues of fiery orange and soothing purple, while the gentle breeze carried the calming scent of sea salt and blooming jasmine, creating a serene atmosphere that soothed the soul.”

Visual imagery is the most common type of imagery used in literature. It pertains to the use of descriptive language that appeals to the reader’s sense of sight, enabling them to visualize characters, settings, and events in vivid detail.

Authors often rely on visual imagery to create compelling and immersive narratives that draw readers into the world of the story, making it easier for them to connect with the text on a deeper level.

Through the use of colorful and detailed descriptions, writers can paint a picture in the reader’s mind, helping to convey emotions, set the tone, and enhance the overall reading experience.

Imagery in poetry utilizes descriptive language to appeal to the readers’ senses, painting vivid pictures in their minds and evoking strong emotional responses. Some examples of imagery in poems include:

• “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost : The imagery of two diverging roads in a yellow wood vividly depicts the choices and paths in life, symbolizing decision-making and its impacts.
• “Daffodils” by William Wordsworth : Wordsworth’s portrayal of a crowd of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze uses visual imagery to describe the beauty and joy of nature.
• “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock” by T.S. Eliot : The line The yellow fog that rubs its back upon the window-panes employs visual and tactile imagery to convey the setting’s mood and atmosphere.
• “Ode to a Nightingale” by John Keats : Keats uses olfactory and visual imagery to transport the reader to a place where men sit and hear each other groan; Where palsy shakes a few, sad, last gray hairs, evoking a sense of longing and reflection.
• “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou : Angelou’s imagery of I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide, employs metaphors and visual imagery to convey strength, resilience, and the vastness of her spirit.

These examples demonstrate the power of imagery in poetry to evoke vivid scenes, emotions, and sensory experiences, drawing readers deeper into the poem’s essence.

Imagery in writing refers to the technique authors use to create vivid descriptions that appeal to the readers’ senses. It involves using detailed and descriptive language to paint pictures in the reader’s mind, making the scenes, characters, or emotions being described more vivid and tangible.

This literary device can involve any of the five senses, including sight (visual), sound (auditory), touch (tactile), smell (olfactory), and taste (gustatory) imagery. Imagery enriches the reading experience by making the narrative more immersive and engaging, allowing readers to feel as though they are part of the story’s world.

Feel imagery, also known as tactile imagery, is a literary device that describes what characters in a story feel with their sense of touch. This type of imagery can include physical sensations such as temperature, textures, pain, or other bodily sensations, enabling readers to experience the same tactile sensations as the characters. Examples of feel imagery include:

• “The cold wind bit into her skin, feeling like thousands of tiny needles piercing her at once.” This sentence evokes the sensation of harsh cold and pain.
• “His hands were rough and calloused, like the bark of an old tree.” Here, the texture of the character’s hands is compared to tree bark, emphasizing roughness.
• “She walked barefoot across the dewy grass, feeling the cool wetness soothe her aching feet.” This example conveys the refreshing sensation of wet grass against skin.
• “Lying in the sun, the warm sand hugged his body, offering a soft, comforting warmth.” The warmth and texture of the sand are highlighted, creating a comforting feeling.
• “The silk dress slid over her skin like a whisper, leaving a trail of goosebumps in its wake.” This sentence uses tactile imagery to describe the sensation of silk as light and stimulating.

Feel imagery enriches the narrative by allowing readers to vividly imagine the physical sensations experienced by characters, thus deepening their engagement with the text.

Summary of Imagery Examples

Imagery is an important tool for expressing thoughts and feelings in a creative way and helping your audience connect with writing through the senses.

Whether it’s through literature, art, music, or film—the ability to create a strong image using description can be incredibly powerful and impactful when done correctly.

Imagery is an important tool for writers and artists alike because it helps create vivid mental pictures and evokes powerful emotions from readers that can further emphasize certain themes within literature or art pieces.

Using different types of figurative imagery such as similes, hyperboles, and other literary devices makes it easier for readers to understand concepts without getting lost in technical jargon or abstract concepts.

This allows them to connect with characters on deeper levels and experience whatever emotions are happening within the story in full force all at once!

Other Popular Literary Devices

If you’re looking to improve your writing , you can explore these other literary devices:

• Hyperbole Examples
• Alliteration Examples
• Sensory Language Examples
• Tone Examples
• What is a Personal Narrative?

Describe a place you visited on vacation

Free ielts correction service.

    Where it is

    when you went there,     what you did there,     and explain why you went there.

•   Well, visiting new places in my free time gives me a sense of satisfaction because traveling is one of my favorite hobbies.
• Here, I would like to talk about a place called Kelong that I visited during my last vacation.
• A few months back, I was free due to my ongoing holidays.
• I decided to visit any hill station with my family in order to spend some quality time there.
• The reason for visiting this place is that my best friend Mike visited there and shared some photos and videos with me, which made me fascinated.
• So, we chose to go to Kelong, as none of us visited there before.
• This place is around 300 km from my city, so we went there by car.
• I have to say, our journey was quite adventurous, as we stopped at multiple locations to capture beautiful photos and to enjoy food and drinks.
• On the way to our destination, we took photos of snowclad mountains, waterfalls and lush green valleys.
• We reached there on time, so we easily found a room with a wonderful balcony view.
• We took some rest for a couple of hours and then we did some sightseeing.
• We spent two days there and during the whole period, we visited local temples and historical sites and tasted local cuisines.
• Besides, I got the opportunity to talk to some local people, which helped me acquire some information about their culture.
• So, this was the place where I visited during my last vacation.

1    Do old people and young people like to go to different places for vacation?

Well, it depends on individuals. Older people like visiting places, like museums, temples or monuments, whereas youngsters like to explore hill stations and take part in adventurous activities. But, these days, old people can also visit mountains during holidays and young people visit historical sites.

2   What are some popular attractions that people like to visit in your country?

In India, there are a lot of tourist attractions where people visit. Indian people like to visit museums, historical places and monuments, where they get knowledge about history and tradition. Then, they like to visit restaurants and shopping malls in order to enjoy their leisure time with friends and family members.

3  What do old people and young people think about when making travel plans

I would say older people give more importance to comfort than adventure because their main objective is to relax themselves,  whereas youngsters like to do something new and adventurous, so they like to visit places where they can do some recreational activities.

4 How do people get to know about new places?

I think individuals come to know about new locations from their friends, who share their trips’ photos and videos on their social media accounts. Then, they also get to know about these through the internet, as there are many videos available on YouTube. Finally, they get information through TV and newspaper ads.  

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IELTS TOPIC: A Place You Visited On a Vacation

10/16/2021 02:30 PM

Things to consider:

• The question says "a place" but don't get confused. A place in this context means an area or a city NOT  a specific place like a coffee shop or temple.
• You don't need to talk about a super famous area you visited. It could be a less well-known location.
• Give more examples of what you've done on day one, day two, day three . Mention different activities.
• Try to begin with a few examples of your travels, for instance:
• I've had so many interesting vacations...
• I've visited many interesting cities and natural places like...
• Quite a few locations come to my mind such as...

Part 2: Sample Answer

Alright, so I haven't been on a vacation for at least 3 years, and I’m already feeling exhausted and eager to hit the road . The reason for this gap is, obviously , Covid-19 . As the world has been completely shut down the last 2 years, I mostly remained in the same place I work, daydreaming about some paradise beach location . Anyway, I’ll tell you about my last vacation in Thailand .

I'm givind a brief idea about my traveling in the last few years and introduce the vacation.

I went to Thailand 3 years ago, in the autumn . Me and 3 friends prepared and spent about 10 days traveling around Thailand and visiting two main cities – Chiang Mai and Pattaya . I will focus my story on the city of Chiang Mai , as that place completely blew my mind . I have to say I had some of the most amazing moments in my life over there, and that is not an exaggeration .

I introduce the cities I visited and my feelings in general.

Thailand is usually well known for its beach resorts and seaside vacations , however , Chieng Mai is exactly the opposite . It is located inside of the country, and it is an animal sanctuary . I was shocked by how many zoos and animal parks the place had. We stayed for 3 nights in the city, and it was an awesome experience . We visited a few animal attractions like a Night Safari Zoo , where you hop on a train at night and feed all sorts of exotic animals . This was a fantastic experience . Another thing I did was visit a tiger petting zoo and a tiger show . Before this point, I didn't even know tigers can become literally like pets, hugging and kissing people as they go . But the highlight of my whole travel was my experience with taking care of elephants . I spend a whole day at an elephant sanctuary , feeding , bathing , mudding , walking,  and playing with elephants. This was the best experience I’ve ever had in my whole life, and I’d definitely return to do it again.

I describe a few activities I've done on that vacation.

I always knew about Thailand, but once traveling to the country, I completely rediscovered the place. The clean streets , the insanely cheap cost of living (everything was two or three times cheaper than any other country I’ve visited), the fantastic food , the friendly and warm people, made me appreciate the country and even start planning many future visits . I can’t wait to go there again.

Explaining my feelings about the building.

Sentence starters and Linking words

Vocabulary related to the topic, part 3 questions.

In Part 3 we continue to take a look at some questions related to going on vacations, and we'll discuss people's habits related to going on vacations.

Examiner:   What are some popular attractions that people like to visit in your country?

Top destinations.

• People love visiting the top tourist destinations . Everyone has a bucket list of locations like The Great Wall of China, The Eiffel Tower in Paris, The Pyramids in Giza, or Big Ben and the Buckingham Palace in London. These are usually packed with tourists almost all the time in the year including winter.

Little-known Areas

• Thanks to the internet, a lot of people are opting out of the big bombastic attractions and go to visit some less-known natural or peaceful locations. These could be some small villages, natural parks , city suburbs , lakes , or riversides . You can mention a few of these locations that have become popular in recent years .

* Answer for China, as I live here at the moment.

Well, as you know , China has 5000 years of history . There are so many ancient ruins and places to visit throughout the country. There are famous locations like one of the 7 Wonders of the World – The Great Wall , or many emperor’s palaces like the Forbidden City in Beijing . There is the infamous Terracotta Army , which is a stone army with thousands of soldiers protecting the emperor in his afterlife. And of course, for those who prefer some modern attractions , China has developed into a contemporary futuristic country , with shiny megacities like Shanghai , Shenzhen , or Chengdu . People there can enjoy the sight of skyscrapers and modern technological entertainment such as drone shows .

Examiner:   Do old people and young people choose different places to go on a vacation? Why?

For the old.

• Older people are less mobile , and so they can't do long-distance activities . Most of the time they would choose to go to a spa , a big hotel or would join a tour group with a bus, riding comfortably around town. B e cause of this reason , there are many summer and winter resorts that cater directly to older people with all-included promotions and musical programs at night. 

For The Young

• Young people are more adventurous and full of energy and would prefer to make unique experiences . Many would hike or backpack throughout a country, climb a hill or a mountain , do dangerous extreme sports and activities such as bungee jumping or sky diving,  and many more. T h e younger people are definitely more carefree and seek excitement and adrenalin .

Examiner:   What do young people and old people think about when making travel plans?

• As mentioned earlier , younger people care about the experience which means they don't need to spend too much money on a fancy stay at a hotel but would prefer to simply rent a room on Airbnb and call it a day . They would use their money for exclusive experiences , parties , food , and activities . Of course, for those who are a young couple, they might prefer going to some romantic place , and that could cost a bit more than usual .
• Older people consider comfort above all . This means that they choose better quality hotels, better quality transportation, better quality service, and food. While young people are satisfied with trying street snacks , older people would only dine at a restaurant and that restaurant has to be with good service and proper environment . Older people are more willing to spend for comfort .

Ok so, for the youth, I believe it’s all about the experience . They want to visit something brand new , something unique , they’ve only read in their encyclopedias and of course, they’d try to save money as much as possible . Young people are willing to sacrifice comfort for experience. On the other hand , the older we get, the higher our standards get. This means we would even refuse to travel if we had to stay in a hostel or a 2-star motel , but instead, we would save more money and spend it on a luxury cruise , or a fancy spa hotel . Again, it is about the experience, but it is about a comfy , satisfying , and a bit lux experience .

Examiner:   How do people find out about a new place?

• These days we can get all the necessary information and recommendations online. There are video-sharing platforms , blogs , vlogs , travel guides , panoramic photos , and even Google Earth . A person can see every single place from the world on his mobile phone and then decide on a vacation plan for himself.  

Word of Mouth

• Oftentimes, people get influenced by their friends, relatives , or even strangers Looking at Facebook or Instagram and seeing people travel to exotic destinations inspires people to book their own vacations in those places. Moreover , family members and friends would recommend each other  vacation places and share opinions or little-known facts about those places. 

These days, mostly on the internet. As many video-sharing platforms like Tik Tok or YouTube exploded with popularity , nowadays people are glued to the screen watching video reviews and the exotic travels of vloggers from all around the world . There is no better way to learn about a new travel destination than watching 5 or 10 video reviews of the location. At a time, you might even get enough by simply watching, and at times people make exquisite travel plans for that location. For instance, I’ve watched multiple short videos about diving in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, and now this spot has become on the top of my list for traveling.