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The Big List of Essay Topics for High School (120+ Ideas!)

Ideas to inspire every young writer!

What one class should all high schools students be required to take and pass in order to graduate?

High school students generally do a lot of writing, learning to use language clearly, concisely, and persuasively. When it’s time to choose an essay topic, though, it’s easy to come up blank. If that’s the case, check out this huge round-up of essay topics for high school. You’ll find choices for every subject and writing style.

  • Argumentative Essay Topics
  • Cause-and-Effect Essay Topics
  • Compare-Contrast Essay Topics
  • Descriptive Essay Topics
  • Expository and Informative Essay Topics
  • Humorous Essay Topics

Literary Essay Topics

  • Narrative and Personal Essay Topics
  • Personal Essay Topics
  • Persuasive Essay Topics

Research Essay Topics

Argumentative essay topics for high school.

When writing an argumentative essay, remember to do the research and lay out the facts clearly. Your goal is not necessarily to persuade someone to agree with you, but to encourage your reader to accept your point of view as valid. Here are some possible argumentative topics to try. ( Here are 100 more compelling argumentative essay topics. )

  • The most important challenge our country is currently facing is … (e.g., immigration, gun control, economy)
  • The government should provide free internet access for every citizen.
  • All drugs should be legalized, regulated, and taxed.
  • Vaping is less harmful than smoking tobacco.
  • The best country in the world is …
  • Parents should be punished for their minor children’s crimes.
  • Should all students have the ability to attend college for free?
  • Should physical education be part of the standard high school curriculum?

Should physical education be part of the standard high school curriculum?

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  • Schools should require recommended vaccines for all students, with very limited exceptions.
  • Is it acceptable to use animals for experiments and research?
  • Does social media do more harm than good?
  • Capital punishment does/does not deter crime.
  • What one class should all high schools students be required to take and pass in order to graduate?
  • Do we really learn anything from history, or does it just repeat itself over and over?
  • Are men and women treated equally?

Cause-and-Effect Essay Topics for High School

A cause-and-effect essay is a type of argumentative essay. Your goal is to show how one specific thing directly influences another specific thing. You’ll likely need to do some research to make your point. Here are some ideas for cause-and-effect essays. ( Get a big list of 100 cause-and-effect essay topics here. )

  • Humans are causing accelerated climate change.
  • Fast-food restaurants have made human health worse over the decades.
  • What caused World War II? (Choose any conflict for this one.)
  • Describe the effects social media has on young adults.

Describe the effects social media has on young adults.

  • How does playing sports affect people?
  • What are the effects of loving to read?
  • Being an only/oldest/youngest/middle child makes you …
  • What effect does violence in movies or video games have on kids?
  • Traveling to new places opens people’s minds to new ideas.
  • Racism is caused by …

Compare-Contrast Essay Topics for High School

As the name indicates, in compare-and-contrast essays, writers show the similarities and differences between two things. They combine descriptive writing with analysis, making connections and showing dissimilarities. The following ideas work well for compare-contrast essays. ( Find 80+ compare-contrast essay topics for all ages here. )

  • Public and private schools
  • Capitalism vs. communism
  • Monarchy or democracy
  • Dogs vs. cats as pets

Dogs vs. cats as pets

  • Paper books or e-books
  • Two political candidates in a current race
  • Going to college vs. starting work full-time
  • Working your way through college as you go or taking out student loans
  • iPhone or Android
  • Instagram vs. Twitter (or choose any other two social media platforms)

Descriptive Essay Topics for High School

Bring on the adjectives! Descriptive writing is all about creating a rich picture for the reader. Take readers on a journey to far-off places, help them understand an experience, or introduce them to a new person. Remember: Show, don’t tell. These topics make excellent descriptive essays.

  • Who is the funniest person you know?
  • What is your happiest memory?
  • Tell about the most inspirational person in your life.
  • Write about your favorite place.
  • When you were little, what was your favorite thing to do?
  • Choose a piece of art or music and explain how it makes you feel.
  • What is your earliest memory?

What is your earliest memory?

  • What’s the best/worst vacation you’ve ever taken?
  • Describe your favorite pet.
  • What is the most important item in the world to you?
  • Give a tour of your bedroom (or another favorite room in your home).
  • Describe yourself to someone who has never met you.
  • Lay out your perfect day from start to finish.
  • Explain what it’s like to move to a new town or start a new school.
  • Tell what it would be like to live on the moon.

Expository and Informative Essay Topics for High School

Expository essays set out clear explanations of a particular topic. You might be defining a word or phrase or explaining how something works. Expository or informative essays are based on facts, and while you might explore different points of view, you won’t necessarily say which one is “better” or “right.” Remember: Expository essays educate the reader. Here are some expository and informative essay topics to explore. ( See 70+ expository and informative essay topics here. )

  • What makes a good leader?
  • Explain why a given school subject (math, history, science, etc.) is important for students to learn.
  • What is the “glass ceiling” and how does it affect society?
  • Describe how the internet changed the world.
  • What does it mean to be a good teacher?

What does it mean to be a good teacher?

  • Explain how we could colonize the moon or another planet.
  • Discuss why mental health is just as important as physical health.
  • Describe a healthy lifestyle for a teenager.
  • Choose an American president and explain how their time in office affected the country.
  • What does “financial responsibility” mean?

Humorous Essay Topics for High School

Humorous essays can take on any form, like narrative, persuasive, or expository. You might employ sarcasm or satire, or simply tell a story about a funny person or event. Even though these essay topics are lighthearted, they still take some skill to tackle well. Give these ideas a try.

  • What would happen if cats (or any other animal) ruled the world?
  • What do newborn babies wish their parents knew?
  • Explain the best ways to be annoying on social media.
  • Invent a wacky new sport, explain the rules, and describe a game or match.

Explain why it's important to eat dessert first.

  • Imagine a discussion between two historic figures from very different times, like Cleopatra and Queen Elizabeth I.
  • Retell a familiar story in tweets or other social media posts.
  • Describe present-day Earth from an alien’s point of view.
  • Choose a fictional character and explain why they should be the next president.
  • Describe a day when kids are in charge of everything, at school and at home.

Literary essays analyze a piece of writing, like a book or a play. In high school, students usually write literary essays about the works they study in class. These literary essay topic ideas focus on books students often read in high school, but many of them can be tweaked to fit other works as well.

  • Discuss the portrayal of women in Shakespeare’s Othello .
  • Explore the symbolism used in The Scarlet Letter .
  • Explain the importance of dreams in Of Mice and Men .
  • Compare and contrast the romantic relationships in Pride and Prejudice .

Analyze the role of the witches in Macbeth.

  • Dissect the allegory of Animal Farm and its relation to contemporary events.
  • Interpret the author’s take on society and class structure in The Great Gatsby .
  • Explore the relationship between Hamlet and Ophelia.
  • Discuss whether Shakespeare’s portrayal of young love in Romeo and Juliet is accurate.
  • Explain the imagery used in Beowulf .

Narrative and Personal Essay Topics for High School

Think of a narrative essay like telling a story. Use some of the same techniques that you would for a descriptive essay, but be sure you have a beginning, middle, and end. A narrative essay doesn’t necessarily need to be personal, but they often are. Take inspiration from these narrative and personal essay topics.

  • Describe a performance or sporting event you took part in.
  • Explain the process of cooking and eating your favorite meal.
  • Write about meeting your best friend for the first time and how your relationship developed.
  • Tell about learning to ride a bike or drive a car.
  • Describe a time in your life when you’ve been scared.

Write about a time when you or someone you know displayed courage.

  • Share the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you.
  • Tell about a time when you overcame a big challenge.
  • Tell the story of how you learned an important life lesson.
  • Describe a time when you or someone you know experienced prejudice or oppression.
  • Explain a family tradition, how it developed, and its importance today.
  • What is your favorite holiday? How does your family celebrate it?
  • Retell a familiar story from the point of view of a different character.
  • Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision.
  • Tell about your proudest moment.

Persuasive Essay Topics for High School

Persuasive essays are similar to argumentative , but they rely less on facts and more on emotion to sway the reader. It’s important to know your audience, so you can anticipate any counterarguments they might make and try to overcome them. Try these topics to persuade someone to come around to your point of view. ( Discover 60 more intriguing persuasive essay topics here. )

  • Do you think homework should be required, optional, or not given at all?
  • Everyone should be vegetarian or vegan.
  • What animal makes the best pet?
  • Visit an animal shelter, choose an animal that needs a home, and write an essay persuading someone to adopt that animal.
  • Who is the world’s best athlete, present or past?
  • Should little kids be allowed to play competitive sports?
  • Are professional athletes/musicians/actors overpaid?
  • The best music genre is …

What is one book that everyone should be required to read?

  • Is democracy the best form of government?
  • Is capitalism the best form of economy?
  • Students should/should not be able to use their phones during the school day.
  • Should schools have dress codes?
  • If I could change one school rule, it would be …
  • Is year-round school a good idea?

A research essay is a classic high school assignment. These papers require deep research into primary source documents, with lots of supporting facts and evidence that’s properly cited. Research essays can be in any of the styles shown above. Here are some possible topics, across a variety of subjects.

  • Which country’s style of government is best for the people who live there?
  • Choose a country and analyze its development from founding to present day.
  • Describe the causes and effects of a specific war.
  • Formulate an ideal economic plan for our country.
  • What scientific discovery has had the biggest impact on life today?

Tell the story of the development of artificial intelligence so far, and describe its impacts along the way.

  • Analyze the way mental health is viewed and treated in this country.
  • Explore the ways systemic racism impacts people in all walks of life.
  • Defend the importance of teaching music and the arts in public schools.
  • Choose one animal from the endangered species list, and propose a realistic plan to protect it.

What are some of your favorite essay topics for high school? Come share your prompts on the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook .

Plus, check out the ultimate guide to student writing contests .

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Are you going to write a descriptive essay and are looking for appropriate ideas? Look no further! Here are 220+ top-notch descriptive essay topics recommended by essay writers . For sure, you will find one that interests you and sparks your creativity. We have topics about various places: from rural farmlands to bustling cities. We have topics about people: from friends and family to strangers. We have descriptive writing topics about both concrete objects and abstract ideas. Whatever your writing project is, we have the perfect descriptive essay ideas to help you create a masterpiece. So, what are you waiting for? Start exploring our long list of descriptive topic ideas and find your inspiration!

What Are Descriptive Essay Topics?

Descriptive essay topics focus on describing an object, person, place, experience, emotion, or situation. They can also be used to give a recount of something that happened or that someone has seen or heard. When writing this type of essay, you should aim to provide a vivid and detailed description of the subject so that the reader can fully understand, imagine, or visualize it. When it comes to writing a descriptive essay , there are many descriptive essay topics to select from. Depending on topics for descriptive writing you choose, you may be required to rely on your memory, your observation skills, or your historical knowledge to complete the essay. You can also focus on an object or event that has significantly impacted your life. Other topics for a descriptive essay can include describing a favorite hobby or activity, a memorable trip, or a special moment.

Things we can describe in a descriptive essay

Characteristics of Good Descriptive Essay Topics

Good topics for a descriptive essay are interesting to write about. The primary objective of descriptive essays is to relate the unique qualities of objects, persons, or events vividly and comprehensively to readers. Good descriptive essay topics can evoke strong emotions and feelings in people. Here are some characteristics of good descriptive essay prompts:

  • Creative Consider creativity and originality when selecting your essay topic.
  • Clear The topic should be clear and concise.
  • Interesting Select a topic that you will not only enjoy writing about, but that will also be compelling to your readers.
  • Researchable The topic should be easy to research.

How to Choose a Descriptive Essay Topic?

Choosing a good descriptive essay topic can be difficult. The writing style used for descriptive essays is very expressive. Thus, it may be rather challenging to complete your paper if you do not select topics for descriptive essays that suit your preference, knowledge, or experience. Here are a few steps to help you select an interesting title that will make your essay stand out. Follow the tips in provided order.

  • Think of a title that interests you. Consider a subject that you are passionate about. You should never select a topic blindly.
  • Brainstorm ideas. When thinking about your topic, don’t hesitate to write down words or phrases that come to mind.
  • Research potential topics. You can look for the right content online or visit a library and skim specialized books.
  • Narrow down your topic for descriptive essays. As a result, choose the best idea that you feel will make an interesting and engaging essay.

Top List of Descriptive Essay Topics

This section provides you with some of the top descriptive writing topics. Writers enjoy working on depictive papers because they give them unrestricted freedom of selecting their means of expression. Besides, these top topics can come from totally different categories. Below is a descriptive essay topics list to help you with your brainstorming:

  • The Pearl Harbor attack.
  • My scariest dream.
  • The political journey of Barack Obama.
  • Remembering my graduation ceremony.
  • My first childhood memory.
  • The most difficult decision you have ever made.
  • Life with a pet monkey.
  • Your childhood hero.
  • A perfect journey.
  • The best book I have read recently.
  • My all-time favorite movie.
  • Great migration of wildebeests across the Mara River .
  • My Coachella music festival experience.
  • Effect of cyberbullying on today’s society.
  • The Mona Lisa: components of the legendary piece of art.

Best Descriptive Essay Topics

The art of describing an event, a place, or a character through vivid writing allows you to take readers to another world. Choosing the right topic is the key to success and it makes a lot of difference in preparing an essay or a speech. Discover the best topics for a descriptive essay listed below to help unleash your creative writing skills.

  • The most beautiful place you have ever visited.
  • The appalling state of Guantanamo Bay.
  • Ancient pyramids and settlements in the Bolivian Amazon.
  • An embarrassing moment in your life.
  • Walking the Great Wall of China: the ultimate experience.
  • My strange “addiction” to jogging.
  • Canadian night festivals.
  • Voyages of Christopher Columbus.
  • The best gift ever received from my parents.
  • Weekend living at the cabin.
  • The ultimate daring thing you will always remember.
  • How I discovered my personal hobby.
  • My most challenging moment in school.
  • Women’s suffrage movement.
  • My biggest superstition and its impact on my lifestyle.

The best topic for a descriptive essay can often come from your experience. Thus, it should be easy to write about, since you already have necessary information and do not need to do any serious research. Using the above list, if you fail to find a topic that connects with previous incidents in your life, just choose a similar subject matter but such that is somehow related your to your own experience or is easy to explore.

Interesting Descriptive Essay Topics

There are descriptive ideas that are relatively more interesting compared to others. Essays about such ideas can help readers better understand an interesting experience or event, imagine and see a vivid picture, or observe and analyze a person from a more intriguing perspective. Here are 15 interesting ideas for a descriptive essay to consider:

  • The feeling of being in love.
  • A holiday on a secluded island.
  • Traits of people you really admire.
  • A woman’s life in the Middle East.
  • Your biggest life-changing moment.
  • My first sleepover.
  • Best FIFA World Cup final ever.
  • Recounting the joyous moment of your day.
  • My biggest fear or terror.
  • Earth’s appearance from out of space.
  • My imaginary best friend from childhood.
  • The TV series you enjoyed the most.
  • Apollo 11: the 1969 NASA moon landing.
  • Surviving the cold Arctic conditions.
  • My backpack adventure in Australian rainforest.

Good Topics for Descriptive Essays

If you are wondering what are some good topics for a descriptive essay, you’ll probably find a suitable answer in this segment. The section outlines topic examples you can use for your essay. A good descriptive essay topic should capture your reader’s attention. You can write about multiple ideas, including a person you admire, a special place or object, a favorite childhood memory, or a beautiful landscape. Good descriptive essay titles should be creative, engaging, and thought-provoking. Below are some examples:

  • My first time on a cruise ship.
  • This year’s Thanksgiving dinner with my family.
  • Your first experience with a foreign culture.
  • Your most treasured childhood toy.
  • How New York looks from Empire State’s 86th floor observatory.
  • My sweet 16 birthday party.
  • Picturing a clear night sky in the countryside.
  • The first time seeing the northern lights in Iceland.
  • My best friend’s wedding reception.
  • One day in the army.
  • A walk through the Central Park.
  • Challenges of living with food allergy.
  • The prom night experience.
  • Main features of Twitter.
  • Most beautiful beaches around the world.

Easy Descriptive Essay Topics

Easy ideas for descriptive essays require you to use just your five senses, your imagination, or memory to create a vivid image of the subject in the reader's mind. It also should take you a relatively shorter period to work on such uncomplicated descriptive ideas. You can choose descriptive paper topics from some of the examples provided below:

  • Special days spent with your grandparents.
  • Best places to explore in my hometown.
  • A perfect summer day.
  • The house of my dream.
  • The most beautiful sunset you’ve ever seen.
  • Your ideal picnic spots.
  • Your favorite moment in “ Avengers: Endgame ”.
  • Describing my family members.
  • Walking tour through Times Square in New York City.
  • How does freshly-baked bread smell?
  • My sense of humor.
  • Perfect gifts for your partner.
  • My first public speech: a recount of how I felt inside.
  • World’s greatest conspiracy theory.
  • My favorite school teacher.

Funny Descriptive Essay Topics

Allowing the imagination to run wild can lead to interesting ideas, particularly when looking for funny descriptive essay topics. Here we have compiled fifteen funny descriptive essay topic ideas for you to write about. The topics will help you produce a unique and humorous essay. From describing some weird costume to documenting habits of a quirky pet, these topics for descriptive writing are sure to inspire your creativity and provide you with a fun writing experience.

  • An outlandish Halloween outfit to fit my body.
  • People’s attempts to break odd world records.
  • Charlie Chaplin: the funniest silent play character.
  • How I fell for an April Fool’s Day prank.
  • Most hilarious Super Bowl commercials ever.
  • Funny moments during Donald Trump’s presidency.
  • Funny experience in an eating competition.
  • Diving into the mysterious world of wild street cats.
  • The “No Sweets for Adults” law in Chesapeake City, Virginia.
  • Funny life of Peter Griffin in the “Family Guy” TV show.
  • Amusing ghost stories as presented in Hollywood movies.
  • Funniest punishment ever experienced for losing a bet.
  • An encounter with a celebrity lookalike.
  • My queer self-made alternatives to online entertainments.
  • Explaining the behavior of an eccentric pet.

If you are searching for other paper ideas such as division and classification essay topics or informative essay topics , you will find them on our platform.

Descriptive Essay Ideas for Students

Students often struggle with finding the right ideas for their descriptive essays. While some topics may seem easier than others, there are plenty of creative and unique directions that can be explored. This section compiles descriptive writing ideas for various learning levels. From descriptive research topics in education to discussing the effects of climate change on nature, these ideas enable students to grow their knowledge and develop their researching skills.

Descriptive Writing Topics for Middle School

Descriptive writing topics for middle school can range from describing a favorite vacation spot to giving a detailed characterization of a person or place. Working on descriptive essays can help students to hone their writing skills, enabling them to better observe and detail their surroundings. Below are fifteen descriptive paper ideas for middle school students to explore:

  • My dream smartphone.
  • My favorite activities in the gymnasium.
  • Fishing and camping with my father.
  • Most important and cherished tradition in my family.
  • Recounting the visit to Jurassic Park.
  • Your most enjoyable activities outside school.
  • An unforgettable moment of wisdom with my teacher.
  • My best outfit.
  • My first time in a live sports event.
  • Game night experiences with my family.
  • A rollercoaster ride with friends.
  • Most beautiful success story in my life.
  • A summer vacation memory.
  • Why my best friend is my security blanket.
  • My lucky charm.

Descriptive Essay Topics for High School

Ideas for descriptive writing at high school level are relatively more demanding in terms of the effort needed to develop them comprehensively. You may be required to provide more descriptive details compared to the lower learning levels or even conduct additional research. In certain instances, suitable topics may only be derived from the high school curriculum. Here are some of the examples of descriptive essay topics for high school students:

  • Importance of summer school.
  • How I trained my dog.
  • How the solar system works.
  • Kobe Bryant: the mamba mentality.
  • A unique family heirloom.
  • Effect of domestic violence on students’ performance.
  • Qualities of a good roommate.
  • Abraham Lincoln: the greatest American president.
  • My journey as an artist: the development of skills.
  • America’s Independence Day: the Fourth of July celebration party.
  • Thomas Edison’s light bulb invention.
  • Greatest moment of personal growth.
  • The Pleiades star cluster.
  • Dream career: my aspiration to be an engineer.
  • Assassination of J.F. Kennedy .

Descriptive Essay Topics for College Students

Descriptive essay topics for university students are even more in-depth compared to the two previous academic levels. Learners tend to focus on topics within their area of specialization. College students are expected to think big and be more creative. Students in high learning institution can be additionally asked to provide educated opinion on the subject matter. Learn some of the descriptive essay topics for college students to get your creative juices flowing:

  • My online virtual learning experience in college.
  • Yuri Gagarin’s journey to space.
  • The role of your mentor in shaping your life.
  • How did you get your first tattoo?
  • Causes of college dropout: my personal experience.
  • The Holocaust: its history and consequences.
  • Greta Thunberg’s inspirational story.
  • Experiencing the pilgrimage to Mecca.
  • Preparing for a date: things to do.
  • Inside an anthill: a view from a tiny camera inside the colony.
  • How do you prepare for exams.
  • Muhammad Ali: his life and achievements.
  • Components of Martin Luther’s greatest speech.
  • Most beautiful locations in Europe.
  • Fastest travel route from Alaska to Ushuaia.

Topics for Descriptive Writing by Categories

A descriptive writing topic can come from many different categories. To help you select an essay idea based on your preference, we have compiled multiple topics and arranged them into various groups. We have focused on six primary categories in this section: objects, family and people, events, traveling, experience, and hobbies. You are free to either pick descriptive writing ideas from the lists provided, or use them as foundation for developing your own ones.

Descriptive Essay Topics About an Object

Do you want to write impressive descriptive topics about an object? In this section, you can explore the list of proper descriptive essay ideas revolved around specific entities. When analyzing objects, your sharp observation skills and basic knowledge about these items are important. Here are examples of topic ideas for descriptive essays:

  • My most valued object.
  • Toys I own as an adult.
  • The rarest metal on Earth.
  • World’s most powerful supercomputer.
  • Components of my living room.
  • Things you will find in my wallet.
  • World’s oldest tree: its physical appearance and history.
  • Items in my bank safety deposit box.
  • A detailed description of the most comfortable bed in USA.
  • Burj Khalifa : world’s tallest building.
  • Historical significance of Eiffel Tower.
  • Features of iPhone 13.
  • Inside a Tesla Cybertruck.
  • The largest flower in the world.
  • Japanese katana: appearance, types, materials.

Family and People Descriptive Essay Topics

You can base your depictive essay on matters pertaining to family and people. Relationships with friends and relatives constitute an integral part of every person’s life, so you will definitely have enough matter and stories to address. In this section, we have outlined sample descriptive essays topics that draw their talking points from the subject of family bonds and friendship. You can deliver a narrative involving memories of time spend together, or expressively discuss some outstanding features of your loved ones. Below are some of the descriptive paragraph topics for papers to get you started:

  • My favorite family member.
  • The best part of my Christmas holiday with my family.
  • Effect of divorce on childhood development.
  • Pillars of a strong family.
  • Financial benefit of a marriage institution.
  • Challenges of being a last-born in a family.
  • Things I miss the most about my childhood friend.
  • The relationship between my step-family and me.
  • The day I met my best friend.
  • Our secret family recipe.
  • The best Valentine’s Day experience with my partner.
  • Growing up in a multi-cultural family.
  • Biblical definition of marriage.
  • Components of our family portrait.
  • Impact of extended family on my personal growth.

Look through our definition essay topics to find more ideas on family. 

Descriptive Essay Topics About Events

Over the course of our lives, we witness multiple events ranging from personal parties to ceremonies of national magnitude. Generally, rather than giving personal opinions or using rhetoric approach, you should prioritize providing objective information and key facts when working on topics for descriptive essay writing about events. Below is a list of essay topics for descriptive papers to help you in brainstorming.

  • Saint Patrick’s Day celebration in America.
  • Assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
  • Chronological events leading to start of World War I.
  • End of Cold War.
  • September 11 terrorist attacks.
  • My first job interview: how I performed.
  • The birth of my first born and how it affected me.
  • Relevance of the Ramadan celebration in the Islam religion.
  • Effect of “Tomorrowland Music Festival” on today’s morality.
  • 2026 FIFA World Cup: the next tournament in Canada, Mexico, and USA.
  • The incident between Will Smith and Chris Rock at the 2022 Grammy Award.
  • How I proposed to my partner.
  • The best sports event I ever attended.
  • The Winner of the 2022 Formula 1 Series.
  • How I survived an extreme weather condition: a close call.

Once you have selected your preferred essay topics for descriptive papers, you should strive to expound particulars related to the occurrence in a chronological manner. This ensures that the reader is able to seamlessly follow the directions of your thoughts.

Traveling Descriptive Essay Topics

Writing a descriptive paragraph idea about traveling can be a great way to capture the moments and memories of your journey. These topics for descriptive writing can help you create a vivid and interesting essay about your travels.

  • Tourist destinations that left me with a lasting impression.
  • Exploring unfamiliar culture of Amazon tribes.
  • The most stunning natural landscape you’ve seen.
  • Best cheap meal you have ever had while traveling.
  • Most memorable people you met on your trip.
  • The most thrilling journey to the Maldives.
  • Unique souvenirs you brought back from Africa.
  • Exploring local customs and traditions of Native American communities.
  • The Swiss Alps train: The Glacier Express.
  • Magical views of Niagara waterfalls in Canada.
  • A journey to the Himalayas : the city of immortal beings.
  • Challenges you faced while traveling through a non-English speaking country.
  • Exploring the local cuisine of Istanbul.
  • The most interesting thing you learned on your recent trip
  • How I met my travel companion.

Descriptive Essay Topics About an Experience

Writing topics for a descriptive essay about an experience can be a great way to explore and share recollections of your life. Although not everyone is ready or comfortable to share their past, there are people who enjoy talking about the affairs that touched them to their friends, families, and even strangers. Find 15 topics for descriptive papers about an experience to get you started listed below:

  • An experience that changed your outlook on life.
  • A summer night that was particularly memorable.
  • Witnessing Argentina’s 2022 World Cup victory.
  • An experience that made you feel scared and develop a phobia for height.
  • Places that fill you with joy and nostalgia.
  • A moment of relief.
  • My experience learning abroad.
  • The biggest public humiliation that I will never forget.
  • A dream that stayed with you.
  • A time when you felt overwhelmed.
  • A special experience with a family member.
  • Self-realization in my time of adversity.
  • The story of my first heartbreak.
  • How I coped with being hospitalized for weeks.
  • Recounting my visit to a home for the elderly.

Ideas for a Descriptive Essay About Hobbies

Writing descriptive essay topics about hobbies can be a great way to express yourself and explore your passions. Whether it's a hobby you've been doing for years or something new that you've recently taken up, there are countless topics to pick from when it comes to creating a descriptive essay. Below are ideas for descriptive essays to get you started:

  • My inspiration for taking up a new hobby.
  • Athletics as hobbies: their conversion to professions.
  • How my parents helped me pick my hobby.
  • Impact of hobbies on my relationship with family and friends.
  • Effect of sedentary hobby on your health.
  • Recounting the event that made me fall out of love with my traveling hobby.
  • How physical hobbies improved my physiological health.
  • My favorite childhood hobby.
  • Financial implication of having a hobby.
  • My best friend’s unusual hobby.
  • Extreme and dangerous hobbies taken up by my friends.
  • How sharing hobbies with my neighbor developed our friendship.
  • Pressures resulting from doing ballet dancing as a hobby.
  • My hobby’s contribution to my career development.
  • Biggest lessons learned from my childhood hobbies.

If you need more essay ideas, don’t forget that we have an extensive blog that offers different titles, including narrative essay topics and ideas for expository essays .

Bottom Line on Descriptive Essay Topics

Descriptive writing essay topics can range from narrating a personal experience to describing a place, person, or thing. It is important to include enough details in your essay so the reader can form a vivid picture. When choosing topics to write a descriptive essay on, you should consider the age and other specifics of the target audience and know your primary intentions in delivering information. It is also vital to be creative and use unique language to make the essay stand out. With the right topic and approach, a descriptive essay can be an engaging and enjoyable writing experience. Do not forget to adhere to grammar rules and employ appropriate lexis when working on topics for descriptive essays!

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50 Descriptive Essay Topics

Make your reader see, smell, hear and feel with these inspirational descriptive essay topics ! We’ve collected 50 descriptive essay topics to sprout some flowery language. Our descriptive essay topics are designed to spark creative thinking and can be modified for students in elementary, middle and high school. They are grouped by topic for easy student and teacher reference. Feel free to print the entire list for plenty of inspiration for your next descriptive essay assignment!

Descriptive Essay Topics: Place

  • Describe your favorite place.
  • Describe your ideal bedroom.
  • Describe the house in which you grew up.
  • Describe what the first house on the moon would look like.
  • Describe some of your favorite places in your hometown.
  • Describe a peaceful place that you’ve visited.
  • Describe a place that exists only in your imagination.
  • Describe a friend’s or family member’s house where you enjoy spending time.
  • Describe your perfect fantasy vacation destination.
  • Describe your favorite store.
  • Describe your favorite teacher’s classroom.
  • Describe a museum that you’ve visited recently.
  • Describe a place you have dreamed about that doesn’t exist in real life.
  • Describe a place where your pet likes spending time.
  • Describe an outdoor place that you know well.

Descriptive Essay Topics: People

  • Describe your favorite person.
  • Describe each of your family members.
  • Describe a famous person that you would like to meet.
  • Describe one of your friends.
  • Describe one aspect of someone that you like (for example: laugh, style of dress, words that the person likes to use, etc.)
  • Describe yourself to someone who has never met you.
  • Describe the average human to an alien who has never before seen a person.
  • Describe your pet.
  • Look at some old family photos and describe an older family member as he or she was when at your age.
  • Describe someone whom you miss.

Descriptive Essay Topics: Objects

  • Describe an object that is special to you.
  • Give a tour of one room in your house by describing the most important objects in that room.
  • Describe one of your favorite outfits.
  • Describe your favorite toy as a child.
  • Describe how you get around (for example: a bicycle, skateboard, sneakers, your parents’ car, the school bus).
  • Describe your favorite piece of furniture where you like to spend time and relax.
  • Describe something that you would bury in a time capsule to tell people about what life is like today.
  • Describe an object that has been in your family for a long time.
  • Choose a piece of food to eat; then, write a description of it that includes the way it looks, smells and tastes.
  • Describe a smartphone to a time traveler from the 1900s.

Descriptive Essay Topics: Memories

  • Describe your oldest memory.
  • Describe your best summer vacation.
  • Describe a memorable concert you attended.
  • Describe a memorable trip you took.
  • Describe a special time that you and your family had together.
  • Describe the first time you met one of your friends.
  • Describe a time you met someone famous.
  • Describe one of your happiest memories.
  • Describe one of your saddest memories.
  • Describe a time that you felt scared.
  • Describe a time that you felt excited.
  • Describe a time that something totally unexpected happened.
  • Describe a memory of someone whom you miss.
  • Describe one of your most memorable first days of school.
  • Describe one of your most embarrassing moments.

Looking for more essay topics? Compare and Contrast Essay Topics Cause and Effect Essay Topics Narrative Essay Topics Persuasive Essay and Speech Topics

Descriptive Essay

Descriptive Essay Topics

Last updated on: Nov 20, 2023

Interesting Descriptive Essay Topics Recommended by Experts

By: Cathy A.

Reviewed By: Jacklyn H.

Published on: Dec 24, 2019

Descriptive Essay Topics

Memories, imaginative situations, feelings, and impressions, writing a descriptive essay is absolutely fun for many college or university students. They get a chance to play with their creativity, which makes this type of essay so much fun.

Descriptive essays do not require a lot of research. They are based on the writer’s personal description and explanation of the selected, or given, topic. This essay type is ideal for school/college students because they are not very much into research.

However, one of the most common problems students face while writing an essay is choosing and picking the essay topic. The process of finding a good essay topic could be difficult, confusing, and time-consuming.

The descriptive essay format is the same; introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. However, the topics for a descriptive essay are different and require a high level of descriptive capability.

Descriptive Essay Topics

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Descriptive Essay Topics for Students

Here is a list of some good descriptive essay topic ideas. These are just topics and ideas, and you can customize them according to your requirements.

Descriptive Essay Topics for College Students

  • One week of a newly wedded couple.
  • A crazy jump with bungee.
  • Importance of college education.
  • The day when everything went wrong.
  • Education before anything.
  • How can one make the world a better place?
  • The magnificence of this universe.
  • The demand for love In everyone’s life.
  • Future of cloning on planet Earth.
  • Describe your day as a new college student.

Descriptive Essay Topics for Middle School Students

Finding the best writing topics for a descriptive essay is an important task to accomplish. Also, keep in mind that you will easily create the thesis statement if your topic is good. Here are some of the great essay topics for different grades.

Descriptive Essay Topics for Grade 7

  • Favorite cartoon character.
  • My favorite song.A special photograph.
  • A special place.An important time in history.
  • Building a fort.Creepy things.
  • Do I want to be famous?
  • Doing homework.
  • Going for fishing.

Descriptive Essay Topics for Grade 8

  • Favorite hobby.
  • What is your favorite movie?
  • Do you like gaming, and which game is your favorite?
  • Do you enjoy playing a sport?
  • Do you have an unusual talent?
  • What is your favorite subject, and why?
  • How to stop hiccups?
  • Let's help the animals.
  • Looking at the globe.
  • My favorite clothes.

Descriptive Essay Topics for High School Students

For your help, we categorized the descriptive essay topics into different academic grades. Choose the best one that you find interesting.

Descriptive Essay Topics for Grade 9

  • Where do you like to vacation and why?
  • What is the greatest lesson you have learned?
  • Who is your hero, and why?
  • If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
  • Who is your favorite band?Where do you want to go to college?
  • Important reasons why kids should have chores.
  • The benefits of summer school.
  • Staying at a friend's house.
  • What I use a computer for.

Descriptive Essay Topics for Grade 10

  • A game close to my heart.
  • Mobile Phone: boon or a curse?
  • What is your most treasured item?
  • Your favorite restaurant.
  • Your dream house.
  • Five qualities of a good roommate.
  • A note on your closet.
  • Your favorite childhood memory.
  • The ride on a subway train.
  • The street from home to school.

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Good Descriptive Essay Topics

Descriptive essays are only difficult when you have to decide what to write about. Here are some good and easy descriptive essay topics that you can explore to create one of your own.

  • My first day at the job and how I feel about it.
  • Most suffocating day at the workplace and how I survived it.
  • How to avoid negativity in the workplace?
  • How to be more positive with troublesome employees?
  • The best way to resolve a conflict and to avoid it in the future.
  • Miracles of staying focused at the workplace.
  • Importance of maintaining a healthy routine even if you have a tough job.
  • Most embarrassing moment in my office.
  • How to deal with deadline pressure?
  • Top 10 tips to invoke creativity and move ahead in your work.

Descriptive Essay Topics About Person

  • Describe your mother.
  • Discuss my pet.
  • Meeting a famous person.
  • A particular family or family member.
  • I miss them.
  • Memorable person.
  • My dad is the most interesting person.
  • Describe a person you hate.
  • My favorite school teacher.
  • Describe your favorite celebrity.

Easy Descriptive Essay Topics

  • Describe your favorite scene from the most recent movie that you have watched.
  • Describe the physical setting of your favorite soft drink’s TVC.
  • Describe the emotions depicted in the famous Mona Lisa painting.
  • Describe the plot of your favorite movie.
  • Describe your favorite fictional character and discuss why you like it.
  • Choose one abstract painting and describe the emotions depicted in it.
  • How your religious book impacted your inner thoughts?
  • A writer with whom you can relate the most.
  • What is your favorite type of dance; describe your emotions while dancing.
  • Describe your favorite tv-series and why you like watching it.

Best Descriptive Essay Topics

  • Describe an important event that impacted your personality.
  • Describe the psychological events that influenced your personality for the worse.
  • Describe the psychological events that influenced your personality for the better.
  • Describe your first or last day at your college.
  • Why do you enjoy bike riding?
  • Why do you think writing will impact your personality at a deeper level?
  • What did you feel when you held a baby for the first time?
  • Describe the loss of a family member in 800 words.
  • Describe how you would look without hair on your scalp in 900 words.
  • Why are stars compared with human personalities in poems?

Interesting Descriptive Essay Topics

  • All-time favorite movie character.
  • Movie of the century.
  • House that I have always wanted.
  • Most heart-touching poem.
  • Meeting my best friend after a long time.
  • My favorite book.
  • The most amazing thing that I remember.
  • First time I fell in love.
  • My first date.
  • The first time I went shopping on my own.

Descriptive Essay Topics About Memory

  • Describe the oldest memory that you can recall and why it has stuck with you.
  • Describe a time you were the happiest; who were you with?
  • Describe when something completely unexpected caught you off-guard.
  • Describe a memory that you hold close to someone who has passed away.
  • Describe your most embarrassing day or moment.
  • Describe a cold winter evening.
  • Describe the time you went to the beach on a bright sunny day.
  • Describe your first day at preschool; what do you remember about it?
  • Describe the first concert you attended.
  • Describe the time that you felt the most scared.

Descriptive Essay Topics About Object

  • Select five objects from the kitchen and describe their appearance.
  • Describe your prized possession.
  • Describe a room in your house and its most valued objects.
  • Describe your favorite outfit that you can never get rid of.
  • How will you describe a smartphone to someone from ancient times?
  • What role does the computer play in your life?
  • Objects you come across on the way to your school.
  • Describe your favorite toy as a kid.
  • Describe your safety blanket.
  • What objects would you bury in a time capsule?

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Descriptive Essay Topics About a Place

  • A trip to the mountains.
  • Describe your ideal bedroom.
  • Describe your favorite coffee shop.
  • The place I don’t forget.
  • A garden in the gas station.
  • My favorite classroom.
  • Describe the loudest place you visit.
  • An amazing trip to a beautiful valley.
  • Describe your favorite restaurant.
  • Describe your favorite park.

These are the best ideas or topics for a descriptive essay. Make sure you choose a topic of your interest that you are passionate about.

Once you have decided on the essay topic, the next step is to write a descriptive essay. With us, you can learn how to write a descriptive essay with helpful tips and samples.

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descriptive essay topics for high school students

Good Descriptive Essay Topics Aren't Easy to Find

A student needs to be careful when selecting a topic for a descriptive essay. It is different from a narrative paper in the way that it does not only necessitate action but involves all the five senses. During teachings, most students usually ask, "What is a descriptive essay?" Well, it is an essay that the writer or student has to take all the time to choose a topic they can write descriptively on. It is essential that after selecting a subject interesting to them, they make a plan or brainstorm their ideas aside. The reader is supposed to have a clear mental picture painted in their minds or have an in-depth understanding of the experience the writer went through.

In a descriptive essay, the words chosen are to be distinct, and the language should be more concise. Such an approach helps the student to showcase the event clearly. All the five major senses - taste, smell, touch, sound, and sight - should be clearly explained and thus easily appeal to all the reader's senses as well. The main point is to produce a pictorial description for the audience. The student has to be careful of writing their essay with too many examples not to turn it into a lengthy and dull paper.

Descriptive Essay Topics Ideas by Category

Selection of a topic to write a descriptive essay on is not difficult at all. A student may need a topic about something that is not far-fetched because the sensory details should be vividly portrayed. That is why it is crucial to brainstorm aside the topic ideas for a descriptive essay. The piece itself can be about an object, a place, a memory, an experience, a process, etc. Basically, you just choose a topic that is easier for you so that you can paint palpable pictures in the mind of the reader. All your attention should be centered on making the reader visualize the thing you are writing about as vividly as possible.

Descriptive essay topics for college students

Usually, if the student is passionate about writing, it is pretty easy to create a clear impression so that the reader can let their imagination fly and have their feelings aroused to those experienced by the writer. Most college students, however, tend to pick a topic that they are enthusiastic about and make the essay have substantive information. It is much of a challenge for a college student to choose a topic, considering they are a bit more exposed to the dynamics of life compared to the high school students. Additionally, the experience of writing different descriptive essays matters quite a lot as it makes it easier for a college student to pick any topic. They have much know-how to be able to connect to the reader and have their emotions adequately conveyed. The student needs to express themselves in a clear, descriptive way. So here is a list of topics you can use:

  • Who you want to be after you graduate.
  • A trip I will never forget.
  • My first time flying in a plane.
  • Learning how to drive a car.
  • Visiting a haunted house.
  • My favorite summer vacation.
  • First day as a freshman at college .
  • A surprise visit.
  • The most embarrassing day of my life.
  • A stranger in my backyard.

Descriptive essay topics for high school students

Students start to write a lot of essays in high school. Teachers give their students these tasks of different issues to test their writing skills. This is when your passion for writing should start to grow before you even enroll in college . Before students select their topics, they should be aware of the required length. Knowing the number of pages will help you choose an ideal subject matter. However, a list of different topics is usually given along with your assignment . Firstly, you need to make a plan. It is necessary to brainstorm all ideas before writing the actual descriptive essay. Examples of topics may include:

  • Meeting my favorite artist.
  • The class reunion.
  • A long walk in the darkest woods.
  • A Christmas to remember.
  • Learning a new job.
  • Your best tennis player.
  • My life as a vegetarian.
  • Home alone.
  • The car breakdown.

Descriptive essay topics about places

A place can be a position, an area, home, and the student can choose a topic so that the word "place" is meaningful to him or her. Below are a few interesting descriptive essay ideas about places:

  • A wonderful place called home.
  • The new neighborhood in a big city.
  • Summer holiday with friends
  • The lake near my gym.
  • The new shopping mall.
  • Gaining admission to the best college .
  • A scary place I once visited.
  • A lost doll near Rhodes Island.
  • The best zoo in the world.
  • The road trip in a caravan .

Descriptive essay topics about objects

The student should go for a topic they can describe distinctively to enable the reader to see, feel or "touch." Accurate details can make an imaginary object come to life. Anything that is of great significance or value is referred to as an object. Here are some of the ideas you can use in this case:

  • The school bus.
  • The dress I wore on my prom night.
  • Redecorating my room with new furniture.
  • Living a day without my smartphone.
  • Your new baseball batting gloves.
  • The lost coin.
  • The beach house.
  • Baobab tree in my grandmother's backyard.
  • Traveling without my backpack.
  • My first smartphone.

However, the student can write about anything, a car, a gown, a hat, a book, etc. The student should describe the object and mention how and why it is extra special.

Descriptive essay topics about experiences

This one should be an essay about the student's personal life experience. A topic about experiences is what most students usually pick. No research is usually required. However, not everyone is able to write a good descriptive essay prior to their experiences. A few examples of such topics are listed below:

  • Making a speech in front of the president.
  • A ride on a horse.
  • Visiting a new country.
  • Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
  • The bonfire night.
  • Growing up in a small city or village.
  • Attending the royal wedding.
  • The moment I discovered who my true friend was.
  • A near death experience.
  • The best choice or decision I have ever made.

Descriptive essay topics about processes

Selecting a topic for a process essay can be challenging if the student has not mastered this paper type. The reader is to be rendered clear instructions on the completion of a piece of work or task. Your agenda is to provide the information in a well-strategized manner and make it easy-to-comprehend. Process essay topics are often chosen by students whose thoughts are very logical.

  • An easy way to make a soft toast.
  • Learning to drive a bus.
  • How to become more successful in three months.
  • How to live on a meager budget.
  • Cooking a chicken.
  • What is the secret to making a tasty apple pie
  • How to use google maps.
  • Creating a Facebook account (or Twitter, Instagram, etc.)
  • Finding a book in a big library.
  • How to prepare for the final examinations.

A descriptive essay has no single format for how it is to be written. The student has to select a topic and write a plan and a draft before finally writing a descriptive essay. It is comprised of the introduction, body, and conclusion. Descriptive essays require writing skills that concentrate on the precise description of an experience, place, object, event or character in more pronounced details. Students are advised and also encouraged to start practicing their skills on how to pen-out their emotions on paper in a descriptive way. They are supposed to appeal to the five senses and have a connection of experience.

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120 Descriptive Essay Topics to Spark Your Creativity

Writing a descriptive essay is a creative task. It requires using sensory language and expressive means, such as similes, metaphors, personifications, etc., for creating a vivid description of an object, place, person, or experience. The best descriptive essays are usually based on the writer's personal lived reality. However, some good descriptive essay topics require research and imagination to explore. Your instructors might give you one of such assignments to see how well you have absorbed class materials and how confident you are with the knowledge.

Finding a suitable topic to explore is no mean feat. With this blog, we hope to help you with the task. Below, you will find 120 topics grouped by a common theme and academic level they are suitable for. Some of the ideas for descriptive essays are linked to full samples in our free database. Read them to understand descriptive writing better and maybe borrow a trick or two to make your own essay even more compelling.

How to Choose a Descriptive Essay Topic

Before we proceed to our descriptive essay topics list, let's first prime you on brainstorming the ideas and finding suitable topics independently.

The first thing you need to ask yourself is, "What are my limits?" Are you free to use your imagination, or are you restricted to the facts you have witnessed? For example, for your history class, they might ask you to write a descriptive essay of an archeological site you've been digging. That would be a description based on your experience. However, they could also ask you to reconstruct the site and describe what it could look like centuries ago. That would be an assignment based on research but also requiring your imagination and creativity.

With that in mind, you need to inspect what resources you have at your disposal. If you have to base your essay on research, look at what literature you have readily available. If sources abound, you can narrow your topic down for a more efficient search. If, however, the information is scarce, scale up a bit to find more data.

If you have to write a description based on your experience, the best strategy for a good descriptive essay topic would be to go for something that made a strong impression on you. This way, it would be easier to create a powerful description from memory. Also, make sure you touch on points relevant to your class or this particular assignment. For example, you need to write about the importance of emotional intelligence in your practice as a nurse. For this, you must select a case that is both memorable to you and relevant to the topic.

Descriptive Essay Topics for Middle School

First, let us zero in on the academic level. Here are some fun descriptive paper ideas suitable for middle-school students. Some of the suggestions are easy; others are more challenging. However, they all provide an opportunity to give a colorful description and tell a story through images.

  • Describe your favorite animal
  • Describe a fantastical journey through a human body affected by fast food
  • My last weekend and how I spent it
  • Describe the dawn or the sunset
  • Describe your pet (or your friend's pet if you don't keep pets)
  • Describe your favorite item of clothing
  • Describe your last weekend
  • Describe the best journey you ever had
  • Describe your best friend
  • Describe your classroom
  • Describe your street
  • Describe your house

Descriptive Essay Topics for High School Students

If you have been given a descriptive writing assignment but no prompt hinting what to write a descriptive essay on, try these suggestions. Feel free to change them. Treat them as brainstorm starters.

  • A childhood memory that stuck with you
  • A time you lost someone dear to you and how you persevered
  • What are your personal reactions to The Princess Bride movie ? Be descriptive.
  • Retell Frankenstein from the POV of the Creature
  • Describe your family home
  • Describe the last party you've been to
  • Describe a book character (how you picture them based on the information from the book)
  • Describe waking up early
  • Describe your favorite smell
  • Describe a chance encounter that left a lasting impression
  • Describe the most fun activity you have ever participated in
  • Describe a thing that annoys you the most. What makes it so noxious?

Descriptive Essay Topics for College Students

As a college student, you must be looking for more original topics to write a descriptive essay on since you've most likely already explored the easier ones from above. Look in this section or further – in the thematic groups. Read the papers attached as examples if the topic interests you but seems too challenging. Also, don't forget that you can get personalized essay writing help for any type of assignment – creative descriptions included. 

  • Describe your favorite place on campus
  • Describe your experience with contemplating art
  • Describe a hot day
  • Describe events from The Great Gatsby from an unconventional POV
  • Describe a vivid childhood memory
  • Describe a gathering (a club meeting, a political rally, etc.)
  • Describe a construction site
  • Describe a frightening experience you went through
  • Describe building a healthy habit (or breaking a bad one)
  • Describe a wedding you have attended
  • Describe a trip home during the break
  • Describe your new room away from home

Descriptive Essay Ideas About an Object

Describing an object is probably on the easier side of this assignment. However, with these original descriptive writing topics, an essay about an ordinary thing can be just as impressive and sophisticated as a description of unique experiences.

  • My notebook
  • Describe a tool you use every day and its importance
  • The thing that has shaped your childhood
  • Describe your most treasured possession
  • Describe a piece of jewelry you wish you owned
  • Describe a thing that has a story attached to it (a family heirloom, a museum exhibit, a memento, etc.)
  • Describe your favorite piece of furniture
  • Describe a thing that used to scare you as a child
  • Judge a book by its cover: pick up and describe a book you've never read
  • Describe a remarkable door
  • You are living in the Iron Age. Describe the most valuable thing you own
  • Describe an item that belongs to a friend or a family member. What can it tell about its owner?

Topics for a Descriptive Essay About an Experience

Speaking of experiences. If you are tired of well-thumbed issues like triumphs and defeats, choose your next topic for a descriptive essay from the list below. Write a different story that is meaningful and impactful.

  • Describe how you tried something for the first time
  • Describe a music concert or a festival you've been to
  • Describe the feelings of an unfairly incarcerated person
  • Describe a difficult situation that taught you something valuable
  • Describe living through a natural disaster
  • Describe the feeling of sorrow
  • Describe your experience watching a classic movie
  • Describe how you combat stress
  • Describe the sadness of leaving
  • Describe recovering from an illness
  • Do you remember how you learned reading? Tell about the experience
  • Describe your visit to a beauty salon or a barbershop

Examples of Descriptive Essay Topics About a Place

Descriptive paper topics suggested below give you only a general direction for your thoughts. In contrast, a sample attached to each title describes a concrete and very specific place. That is why we advise you to explore the attached pieces for more inspiration.

  • Write about a public place that continues to evoke powerful, emotional memories for you
  • Describe a restaurant in your area
  • Describe a house
  • Describe your hometown
  • Describe ocean shore
  • Describe a museum or an art gallery you've attended
  • Describe a park or a natural spot you like
  • Describe your favorite place on earth
  • Describe the best place to study
  • Imagine a public space designed for teens. Describe it. Where would you place it?
  • Do you remember your first trip out of town? Where did you go? Be descriptive.
  • Describe a place where you feel most safe

Interesting Descriptive Essay Topics About a Person

Describing a person is not an easy task, especially if you need to remain neutral and objective. These topics for descriptive essays about people will be an excellent exercise for you.

  • Describe a person from your class that you find interesting
  • Describe a person you have helped recently
  • Describe a stranger who showed you kindness
  • Describe one of your parents
  • The most unforgettable person in your life
  • Describe a person you can call your mentor
  • Describe your professor
  • Describe someone you see often but not acquainted with (a cash-desk clerk, a bus driver, a dog-walker from your street, etc.)
  • Describe a celebrity you find the most inspiring
  • Describe a fictional character you had a crush on
  • Describe an influential political figure of today
  • If you could interview any historical personality, who would it be? Describe them

Descriptive Essay Topics About Art, Culture, and Esthetics

The area we have outlined in the subheading is vast, so these topics are there to give your creativity a little nudge. Play with them and transform them to suit your assignment.

  • Describe a cultural artifact (a sculpture, a painting, a museum exhibit, etc.)
  • Describe a creative work you have produced
  • A documentary that fascinated you
  • Describe an impact of a poetic work on you
  • Describe characters on your favorite TV show
  • Describe a dance show
  • Describe a thing you would call kitschy. Explain your choice
  • Describe a ceremony or a ritual you partook in
  • Describe a night in a movie theater from the perspective of a first-time goer
  • Describe a consumer good from the point of view of its esthetic value
  • Describe a building. What's its purpose? How is it conveyed through architecture?
  • Describe a historical costume representative of a particular era

Imaginative Topics for a Unique Descriptive Essay

How about running away with your imagination and creating something that doesn't exist? No one said that your description must be documental.

  • If you could rule the world, how would it look like? Describe your perfect vision
  • Describe the art to an alien
  • Describe how your childhood experiences have formed your personality
  • Describe a magical creature you wish existed
  • Describe a robot you could befriend
  • Describe an ordinary day from the point of view of an inanimate object
  • Describe a technological artifact from another planet
  • Describe a day in a park without using sight
  • Describe a sci-fi landscape
  • Describe an immortal being
  • Describe flying over your hometown
  • Describe turning into an animal

Descriptive Essay Topics About Business and Technology

Serious topics can be approached creatively as well. Descriptive essays give a human dimension to business and tech – which is always good for a better understanding their purposes.

  • Internet hoaxes you've come across
  • Describe a product to a potential consumer
  • Describe your short-term (3 years) career goals
  • Describe customer experience in a chain restaurant or reseller's
  • Describe an innovative shop window display
  • Describe your workday or shift
  • Describe a place of work you see yourself in 5 years
  • Describe an ergonomic design you admired
  • Describe a perfect gadget that doesn't exist yet
  • Describe your first computer
  • Describe a technology that should replace human labor. Why would it be better this way?
  • Describe an item that will be in each household twenty years from now

If one of the topics above caught your fancy, but there is no sample, don't despair. We can write one exclusively for you. Moreover, if you have written a draft but you think it could be more expressive and vivid, send it to us for editing, and we will make it shine!

Jana Rooheart

Jana Rooheart

Jana Rooheart came to WOWESSAYS™ with a mission to put together and then slice and dice our vast practical experience in crafting all kinds of academic papers. Jana is an aspired blogger with rich expertise in psychology, digital learning tools, and creative writing. In this blog, she willingly shares tricks of pencraft and mind-altering ideas about academic writing any student will find utterly beneficial.

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100 descriptive essay topics for easy writing.

July 18, 2019

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

descriptive essay topics

What Is a Descriptive Essay?

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

How to Start a Descriptive Essay

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

100 Good Descriptive Essay Topics

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

Easy Essay Topics

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

Essay Topics about Sports

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

Topics on Politics and Government

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

Topics on Information Technology

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

Topics on the Globalization and Environment

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

Topics on Local Government and Public Issues

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

Topics on Space Exploration and More

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

Topics on Educational Issues in Public Schools

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

Topics on Descriptive Personal Experiences

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

Topics about Travelling to Distant or International Places

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

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

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Picture Prompts

Over 140 Picture Prompts to Inspire Student Writing

By Natalie Proulx

  • May 23, 2019

Sign up for our free Learning Network newsletter. Receive new writing prompts in your inbox every week.

Updated: May 31, 2019

Think The New York Times is only for readers at a high-school reading level? Think again.

Besides written articles, The Times also offers a rich collection of visuals — photos, illustrations, graphics, GIFs and short videos — that are accessible to learners of all levels. Since 2016, we’ve been featuring these images in our daily Picture Prompts : short, image-driven posts that invite a variety of kinds of student writing.

Teachers tell us they use these prompts in all kinds of ways. Some use them to encourage students to develop a daily writing habit . Others as an exercise to practice inferences , spark discussion or support reading . This year, one elementary school music teacher told us how her class used the visuals as inspiration for writing short stories accompanied by music .

For more ideas, we have a lesson plan on how to teach with Picture Prompts and other Times images, as well as a free, on-demand webinar that explores how to use our thousands of writing prompts for everyday low-stakes writing practice across the curriculum.

Below, we’ve categorized the 140+ prompts we published during the 2018-19 school year based on the type of writing they primarily ask students to do — whether it’s penning short stories and poems, sharing experiences from their own lives, telling us their opinions, or interpreting an image’s message. All are still open for comment.

You can find even more images in our Picture Prompt roundups for the 2016-17 and 2017-18 school years.

If you use this feature with your students, or if you have other ideas for how to use photos, illustrations and graphics to encourage writing, let us know in the comments section.

What story could this image tell? Use your imagination.

Three Dots Balloon Face Oars and S’mores Conversation Spaceship at the White House Around the Campfire Special Key Computer Screen 17-Foot Python Batman on a Couch Hanging With Friends Hole in the Ceiling In a Crowd Opossum Among Shoes Your Food Obsession Tech Gadgets Carrying a Letter Reaching Through the Wall Sledding in the Mountains Trees, River, Cottage and Sheep The Ride Headphones Leap In the Stands Shade Under the Table Security Line At Their Computers Tiny Stories Tarot Cards Haunted House? Driver and Bicyclist Red Ball Kneeling and Reaching A Letter in the Mail Campfire

Share experiences from your own life.

One Last Adventure Amusement Park Dog in a Backpack Generation Z Breakfast A New App Met Gala Tidying Up Take Your Child to Work Day New Homes Photos From Space Social Media Star Signs of Spring Literary Protagonists The Story of Your Name Dream Home Momo Gym Class Nostalgic Places Price Tags Night Owl or Early Bird Lunar New Year Rescue Pets Polar Vortex Facing Rejection Dreams Superstitions Holiday Season Astrology Favorite Books Journaling Caffeine Giving and Getting Candy Around the World Journeys Saying Thank You Nutrition ‘The Simpsons’ Man, Seal, Octopus Weddings The Night Sky Remembering 9/11 World’s Largest Prairie Dog

What do you think this image, chart or cartoon is saying?

Falling Bottles Focus Here Emojis Eagle and Gender Symbols Hand and Fist Jungle Gym Stacks of Money Magnifying Glass ‘Freedom From Want’ ‘The Writer’s Block’ Watching Walking Down the Street Gun Parts Globe and Books Head Full of Stuff Tight Rope Adventure New Faces Leaping Over Binoculars Brexit Floating Coins Giant Machine Blue Water Other People’s Burdens In a Maze Chalk Outline Hands on Their Shoulders Past and Future Pieces of a Flag From a Hole to a Balloon

What’s your opinion on this issue?

Spy Cams Jack-of-all-trades Gender Expectations Game Show Winner Royal Baby Movie Theaters Tiger Woods Wins ‘The Image of the Revolution’ Final Four Referees $430 Million Deal Student Climate Strikes Women’s History Month Legos and Battlebots Cash Reward Brushing Beagle Book Covers Super Bowl Commercials Math Fast-Food Buffet The ‘Bird Box’ Challenge Hands-On Parenting 2018 in Pictures The Outspoken N.B.A. Online Video Games Standout Steer California Wildfire Election Day Public Libraries Champions A Computer in Everything Snail Mail Fashion Trends Sleep Deprivation Household Chores Gymnastics on Horseback Song of Summer Giant Ice Disk

Want more writing prompts?

You can find our full collection of writing prompts, added as they publish, here . We also have a list of over 1,000 writing prompts for narrative and persuasive writing gathered from our daily Student Opinion questions . Plus, we have a collection of “ 40 Intriguing Images to Make Students Think ,” taken from four years of our weekly “ What’s Going On in This Picture? ” feature.

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descriptive essay topics for high school students

100 Interesting Research Paper Topics for High Schoolers

What’s covered:, how to pick the right research topic, elements of a strong research paper.

  • Interesting Research Paper Topics

Composing a research paper can be a daunting task for first-time writers. In addition to making sure you’re using concise language and your thoughts are organized clearly, you need to find a topic that draws the reader in.

CollegeVine is here to help you brainstorm creative topics! Below are 100 interesting research paper topics that will help you engage with your project and keep you motivated until you’ve typed the final period. 

A research paper is similar to an academic essay but more lengthy and requires more research. This added length and depth is bittersweet: although a research paper is more work, you can create a more nuanced argument, and learn more about your topic. Research papers are a demonstration of your research ability and your ability to formulate a convincing argument. How well you’re able to engage with the sources and make original contributions will determine the strength of your paper. 

You can’t have a good research paper without a good research paper topic. “Good” is subjective, and different students will find different topics interesting. What’s important is that you find a topic that makes you want to find out more and make a convincing argument. Maybe you’ll be so interested that you’ll want to take it further and investigate some detail in even greater depth!

For example, last year over 4000 students applied for 500 spots in the Lumiere Research Scholar Program , a rigorous research program founded by Harvard researchers. The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project . The program actually does not require you to have a research topic in mind when you apply, but pro tip: the more specific you can be the more likely you are to get in!

Introduction

The introduction to a research paper serves two critical functions: it conveys the topic of the paper and illustrates how you will address it. A strong introduction will also pique the interest of the reader and make them excited to read more. Selecting a research paper topic that is meaningful, interesting, and fascinates you is an excellent first step toward creating an engaging paper that people will want to read.

Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is technically part of the introduction—generally the last sentence of it—but is so important that it merits a section of its own. The thesis statement is a declarative sentence that tells the reader what the paper is about. A strong thesis statement serves three purposes: present the topic of the paper, deliver a clear opinion on the topic, and summarize the points the paper will cover.

An example of a good thesis statement of diversity in the workforce is:

Diversity in the workplace is not just a moral imperative but also a strategic advantage for businesses, as it fosters innovation, enhances creativity, improves decision-making, and enables companies to better understand and connect with a diverse customer base.

The body is the largest section of a research paper. It’s here where you support your thesis, present your facts and research, and persuade the reader.

Each paragraph in the body of a research paper should have its own idea. The idea is presented, generally in the first sentence of the paragraph, by a topic sentence. The topic sentence acts similarly to the thesis statement, only on a smaller scale, and every sentence in the paragraph with it supports the idea it conveys.

An example of a topic sentence on how diversity in the workplace fosters innovation is:

Diversity in the workplace fosters innovation by bringing together individuals with different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, which stimulates creativity, encourages new ideas, and leads to the development of innovative solutions to complex problems.

The body of an engaging research paper flows smoothly from one idea to the next. Create an outline before writing and order your ideas so that each idea logically leads to another.

The conclusion of a research paper should summarize your thesis and reinforce your argument. It’s common to restate the thesis in the conclusion of a research paper.

For example, a conclusion for a paper about diversity in the workforce is:

In conclusion, diversity in the workplace is vital to success in the modern business world. By embracing diversity, companies can tap into the full potential of their workforce, promote creativity and innovation, and better connect with a diverse customer base, ultimately leading to greater success and a more prosperous future for all.

Reference Page

The reference page is normally found at the end of a research paper. It provides proof that you did research using credible sources, properly credits the originators of information, and prevents plagiarism.

There are a number of different formats of reference pages, including APA, MLA, and Chicago. Make sure to format your reference page in your teacher’s preferred style.

  • Analyze the benefits of diversity in education.
  • Are charter schools useful for the national education system?
  • How has modern technology changed teaching?
  • Discuss the pros and cons of standardized testing.
  • What are the benefits of a gap year between high school and college?
  • What funding allocations give the most benefit to students?
  • Does homeschooling set students up for success?
  • Should universities/high schools require students to be vaccinated?
  • What effect does rising college tuition have on high schoolers?
  • Do students perform better in same-sex schools?
  • Discuss and analyze the impacts of a famous musician on pop music.
  • How has pop music evolved over the past decade?
  • How has the portrayal of women in music changed in the media over the past decade?
  • How does a synthesizer work?
  • How has music evolved to feature different instruments/voices?
  • How has sound effect technology changed the music industry?
  • Analyze the benefits of music education in high schools.
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  • Does affirmative action help minorities?
  • Can a capitalist system effectively reduce inequality?
  • Is a three-branch government system effective?
  • What causes polarization in today’s politics?
  • Is the U.S. government racially unbiased?
  • Choose a historical invention and discuss its impact on society today.
  • Choose a famous historical leader who lost power—what led to their eventual downfall?
  • How has your country evolved over the past century?
  • What historical event has had the largest effect on the U.S.?
  • Has the government’s response to national disasters improved or declined throughout history?
  • Discuss the history of the American occupation of Iraq.
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  • Discuss how fiction can be used for propaganda.
  • How does literature teach and inform about society?
  • Explain the influence of children’s literature on adulthood.
  • How has literature addressed homosexuality?
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  • Does the media reinforce stereotypes?
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  • Will streaming end traditional television?
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  • What are the pros and cons of global citizenship?
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  • What are the responsible limits on abortion, if any?
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  • Elderly populations
  • The education system
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  • How do anti-vaxxers affect the health of the country?
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  • Should companies allow employees to exercise on company time?
  • What is an adequate amount of exercise for an adult per week/per month/per day?
  • Discuss the effects of the obesity epidemic on American society.
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  • What departures has the internet made from its original design?
  • Has digital downloading helped the music industry?
  • Discuss the benefits and costs of stricter internet censorship.
  • Analyze the effects of the internet on the paper news industry.
  • What would happen if the internet went out?
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  • What are the pros and cons of cryptocurrency?
  • How has social media affected the way people relate with each other?
  • Should social media have an age restriction?
  • Discuss the importance of source software.
  • What is more relevant in today’s world: mobile apps or websites?
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  • How is text messaging affecting teen literacy?

Mental Health

  • What are the benefits of daily exercise?
  • How has social media affected people’s mental health?
  • What things contribute to poor mental and physical health?
  • Analyze how mental health is talked about in pop culture.
  • Discuss the pros and cons of more counselors in high schools.
  • How does stress affect the body?
  • How do emotional support animals help people?
  • What are black holes?
  • Discuss the biggest successes and failures of the EPA.
  • How has the Flint water crisis affected life in Michigan?
  • Can science help save endangered species?
  • Is the development of an anti-cancer vaccine possible?

Environment

  • What are the effects of deforestation on climate change?
  • Is climate change reversible?
  • How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect global warming and climate change?
  • Are carbon credits effective for offsetting emissions or just marketing?
  • Is nuclear power a safe alternative to fossil fuels?
  • Are hybrid vehicles helping to control pollution in the atmosphere?
  • How is plastic waste harming the environment?
  • Is entrepreneurism a trait people are born with or something they learn?
  • How much more should CEOs make than their average employee?
  • Can you start a business without money?
  • Should the U.S. raise the minimum wage?
  • Discuss how happy employees benefit businesses.
  • How important is branding for a business?
  • Discuss the ease, or difficulty, of landing a job today.
  • What is the economic impact of sporting events?
  • Are professional athletes overpaid?
  • Should male and female athletes receive equal pay?
  • What is a fair and equitable way for transgender athletes to compete in high school sports?
  • What are the benefits of playing team sports?
  • What is the most corrupt professional sport?

Where to Get More Research Paper Topic Ideas

If you need more help brainstorming topics, especially those that are personalized to your interests, you can use CollegeVine’s free AI tutor, Ivy . Ivy can help you come up with original research topic ideas, and she can also help with the rest of your homework, from math to languages.

Disclaimer: This post includes content sponsored by Lumiere Education.

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descriptive essay topics for high school students

191+ Descriptive Research Topics for High School Students [2024]

descriptive-research-topics-for-high-school-students

  • Post author By Ankit
  • February 2, 2024

As we all know, descriptive research topics for high school students are like the door that helps them to learn how and why things occur. Descriptive research is like being a detective, where we deeply watch and talk about what is happening.  

This blog will find the top 191+ descriptive research topics for high school students that will help them build essential skills for their future.

But the main question is why these topics matter the most. Descriptive research is something we do for school and a skill that allows us to observe and share specific information. 

Understanding what’s happening around you, noticing how people behave, or explaining scientific stuff – being good at explaining these things is like having a superpower. Let’s go and find the descriptive research topics for high school students.

Also Read: 130+ Mental Health Research Topics for High School Students: Unlocking Minds

Table of Contents

Importance Of The Descriptive Research Topics For High School Students

Learn the importance of descriptive research topics for high school students.

  • Helps students learn research skills – Describing things, like surveys and watching people, lets students practice basic skills like making research questions, collecting and studying data, and making conclusions. Mastering these crucial skills prepares them for more advanced research.
  • Gets students interested – Describing topics often focuses on real-world stuff important to students’ lives, which helps get them curious. Surveys about what students think or watching food waste in the cafeteria are more fascinating than theoretical topics.
  • Teaches critical thinking – Defining and learning about things requires students to think hard about causes, effects, biases, reliability of where information comes from, other reasons, and more. This thinking supports their overall reasoning abilities.
  • Allows for creativity – Unlike more strict number experiments, describing research leaves room for students to get creative with topics, research design, ways to gather data, and presentation of findings. This sparks new ideas in their mind.
  • Simpler to do – Describing research is generally simpler than true experimental research, making it more possible for high school students to complete projects alone within limited time and resources. This helps them to build their confidence.

What Makes A Perfect Descriptive Research Paper?

Check out the top traits that make a perfect descriptive research paper that you must know.

The topic of study should have clear definitions and boundaries so that both the student and teacher fully understand the scope of the research. Ambiguous topics lead to confusion and ineffective research.

Originality

The student should select a novel topic that has not been fully researched. Exploring new territory or examining a familiar topic from an innovative lens furthers knowledge more than repetitive research.

The topic should connect to the student’s background knowledge, interests, and available resources. Familiarity and access to information facilitate more meaningful and efficient research.

The student must consider the ethical importance of the research to avoid causing harm to people, animals, or the environment. Unethical practices waste resources and reflect poorly on the researcher’s integrity.

Thus, these are the ways that make a descriptive research paper perfect.

191+ Great Descriptive Research Topics for High School Students

Check out the latest descriptive research topics for high school students in 2024.

  • Evolution of Teaching Methods
  • School Choice and Student Performance
  • Impact of Multilingual Education
  • Integrating Technology in Classroom Learning
  • Homeschooling: Trends and Results
  • Assessment of Project-Based Learning
  • Teacher Burnout and Retention
  • The Role of Educational Leadership
  • Homeschooling vs. Traditional Schooling
  • Innovative Approaches to Homework
  • Impact of Social Isolation on Mental Health
  • Relationship Between Personality Traits and Academic Success
  • The Psychology of Procrastination
  • Cognitive Benefits of Bilingualism
  • Role of Emotional Intelligence in Academic Achievement
  • Effects of Peer Pressure on Decision-Making
  • Parenting Styles and Adolescent Behavior
  • Influence of Music on Mood and Productivity
  • Social Comparison and Self-Esteem
  • Impact of Positive Reinforcement on Behavior

Social Issues

  • The Digital Divide in Education
  • Socioeconomic Disparities in Educational Opportunities
  • Representation of Minorities in Curriculum
  • Gender Equity in STEM Education
  • Bullying in the Age of Social Media
  • Impact of Immigration Policies on Student Communities
  • Access to Education for Refugee Children
  • LGBTQ+ Inclusivity in School Curricula
  • Teenage Pregnancy and Educational Attainment
  • Perceptions of Racial Diversity in Schools
  • E-learning Platforms and Student Engagement
  • Impact of Augmented Reality in Education
  • Cybersecurity Education in High Schools
  • Gamification in the Classroom
  • Student Attitudes Towards Online Assessments
  • The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Education
  • Blockchain in Academic Credentialing
  • Digital Literacy and Information Retrieval Skills
  • Online Collaboration Tools in Group Projects
  • Accessibility of Technology in Underprivileged Schools

Health and Wellness

  • Relationship Between Physical Activity and Academic Success
  • Nutrition Education and Healthy Eating Habits
  • Sleep Hygiene and Academic Performance
  • Mental Health Education in Schools
  • The Impact of School Gardens on Student Health
  • Substance Abuse Education and Prevention
  • Role of Physical Education in Holistic Development
  • Cyberbullying and Mental Health
  • Effectiveness of Stress Management Programs
  • Peer Counseling and Mental Health Support

Environmental Education

  • Eco-Friendly Practices in School Buildings
  • Impact of Environmental Education on Attitudes
  • Biodiversity Education in High Schools
  • Sustainable Living Education for Students
  • The Role of Schools in Climate Change Awareness
  • Green Initiatives in School Curricula
  • Environmental Justice Education
  • Recycling Programs in Educational Institutions
  • Outdoor Education and Environmental Stewardship
  • The Impact of Nature-Based Learning on Academic Performance

Arts and Culture

  • Influence of Arts Education on Academic Achievement
  • Cultural Competence Education in High Schools
  • Music Education and Cognitive Development
  • Integration of Cultural Diversity in Literature Courses
  • The Role of Theater Arts in Education
  • Visual Arts Education and Creativity
  • Impact of Media Literacy Education on Critical Thinking
  • Cultural Heritage Education in High Schools
  • Literature-Based Learning and Reading Proficiency
  • The Effectiveness of Museums in Supplementing Education

STEM Education

  • Robotics Education and Problem-Solving Skills
  • Coding Education in High Schools
  • Gender Disparities in STEM Enrollment
  • Project-Based STEM Learning
  • Impact of STEM Extracurricular Activities
  • 3D Printing in STEM Education
  • Cybersecurity Education for High School Students
  • The Role of STEM Competitions in Skill Development
  • Engineering Education and Creativity
  • STEM Education for Sustainable Development

Sports and Physical Education

  • Influence of Sports Participation on Academic Achievement
  • The Role of Physical Education in Character Development
  • Team Sports vs. Individual Sports in School Programs
  • Impact of Competitive Sports on Leadership Skills
  • Adapted Physical Education for Special Needs Students
  • Sports-Based Youth Development Programs
  • Sportsmanship Education in High Schools
  • Benefits of Intramural Sports Programs
  • Integrating Technology in Sports Education
  • Influence of Coach-Student Relationships on Academic Performance

Career and Technical Education

  • Perceptions of Vocational Education in High Schools
  • The Effectiveness of Apprenticeship Programs
  • Role of Career Guidance Counselors in Decision-Making
  • The Impact of Internships on Career Preparedness
  • Entrepreneurship Education and Innovation
  • Technical Skills Education for the Future Workforce
  • The Perception of Trade Schools in High School
  • Importance of Financial Literacy Education
  • Role of Soft Skills in Career Success
  • The Effectiveness of Job Shadowing Programs

Parental Involvement

  • The Effect of Parental Involvement on Task Completion
  • Parent-Teacher Communication and Academic Success
  • Parental Engagement in School Governance
  • The Effect of Parental Involvement on Extracurricular Activities
  • Cultural Influences on Parental Involvement
  • Parental Perspectives on School Policies
  • Parental Support for Special Education Programs
  • The Impact Of What Parents Expect On The Jobs Their Children Choose.
  • Parental Involvement in the College Application Process
  • Parental Involvement in Anti-Bullying Initiatives

Inclusion and Special Education

  • The Effectiveness of Inclusive Education Programs
  • Attitudes Toward Inclusion of Students with Disabilities
  • Assistive Technology in Special Education
  • Inclusive Physical Education Programs
  • The Impact of Special Education Labels on Student Perceptions
  • Teacher Preparedness for Inclusive Classrooms
  • The Role of Paraeducators in Special Education
  • Parental Perspectives on Inclusive Education
  • Access to Extracurricular Activities for Special Needs Students
  • The Effect of Inclusive Education on Social Integration

School Safety

  • Student Perceptions of School Safety Measures
  • The Impact of School Security Measures on Learning
  • Bullying Prevention Programs in High Schools
  • School Emergency Preparedness and Response
  • The Role of School Resource Officers in Safety
  • Mental Health Support in School Safety Programs
  • Student Perspectives on School Security Drills
  • School Safety Education for Students
  • Security Measures for Cyber Threats in Schools
  • How the design of a building affects safety in schools.

Student Motivation

  • Factors Affecting Student Motivation in High School
  • The Role of Goal Setting in Student Achievement
  • Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation in Learning
  • Student Perspectives on Teacher Encouragement
  • Impact of Student Recognition Programs on Motivation
  • The Relationship Between Motivation and Attendance
  • Peer Influence on Academic Motivation
  • The Impact of Positive Feedback on Motivation
  • Parental Support and Student Motivation
  • The Role of Extracurricular Activities in Student Engagement

Peer Relationships

  • Effects of Peer Mentoring Programs on Academic Success
  • Peer Relationships and Emotional Well-being
  • The Influence of Peer Pressure on Academic Choices
  • Student Perspectives on Peer Conflict Resolution
  • The Role of Peer Tutoring in Learning
  • Peer Relationships in Virtual Learning Environments
  • Cross-Grade Peer Relationships in High Schools
  • Impact of Social Media on Peer Interactions
  • The Effect of Inclusive Education on Peer Relationships
  • Student Perspectives on Diversity in Peer Groups

Teacher-Student Interactions

  • Impact of Teacher-Student Relationships on Academic Achievement
  • The Role of Positive Reinforcement in Teacher-Student Interactions
  • Teacher Communication Styles and Student Engagement
  • Student Perspectives on Fairness in Classroom Interactions
  • Teacher Use of Humor and Its Effect on Learning
  • The Influence of Teacher Diversity on Student Achievement
  • The Role of Nonverbal Communication in Classroom Interactions
  • Teacher Expectations and Student Performance
  • How Teacher Feedback Affects Student Motivation
  • Cross-Cultural Teacher-Student Interactions

Classroom Environment

  • Impact of Classroom Design on Student Learning
  • Learner Perspectives on Classroom Rules and Discipline
  • The Role of Classroom Norms in Academic Success
  • Classroom Seating Arrangements and Interaction Patterns
  • Student Perspectives on Classroom Technology
  • The Effect of Classroom Lighting on Focus
  • The Role of Classroom Decor in Learning
  • Classroom Noise Levels and Concentration
  • Student Perspectives on Group Work in Classrooms
  • The Impact of Flexible Seating on Student Engagement

Standardized Testing

  • Student Attitudes Toward Standardized Testing
  • The Effect of Test Stress on Test Performance
  • Teacher Perspectives on Standardized Testing
  • Standardized Testing and Its Influence on Curriculum
  • The Effectiveness of Test Preparation Programs
  • Gender and Racial Disparities in Standardized Testing
  • The Relationship Between Standardized Testing and Accountability
  • Student Perceptions of Standardized Testing Policies
  • The Impact of Standardized Testing on Teacher Instruction
  • The Future of Standardized Testing in Education

Educational Policies

  • Impact of Educational Policies on Classroom Practices
  • Teacher Perspectives on Education Reform
  • Student Perspectives on Grading Policies
  • The Role of Standardized Testing in Educational Policies
  • Inclusive Education Policies and Implementation
  • The Effectiveness of Zero-Tolerance Policies
  • The Effect Of No Child Left Behind On How Well Students Do In School
  • School Choice Policies and Student Outcomes
  • Teacher Evaluation Policies and Teacher Morale
  • The Influence of Education Funding Policies on Student Opportunities

Global Perspectives

  • International Student Exchanges and Cultural Understanding
  • The Impact of Global Education Initiatives on Local Curricula
  • Cross-Cultural Views on Education
  • Global Competency Education in High Schools
  • Student Perspectives on Global Issues Education
  • The Effectiveness of Global Citizenship Education
  • The Role of Technology in Connecting Global Classrooms
  • Cultural Exchange Programs and Their Educational Impact
  • Global Perspectives on Inclusive Education
  • The Influence of International Assessments on Educational Practices

Now, you have understood the trending descriptive research topics for high school students. It’s time to move on to how to choose the best one for you.

How To Choose Descriptive Research Topics For High School Students?

Read the top ways you can choose the descriptive research topics for high school.

1. Pick a Topic That Interests You

Selecting a research topic you find truly exciting makes the research process more fun. Discuss issues you feel strongly about or subjects you want to learn more about. Your excitement will show in your writing.

2. Look at Current Events and News

As we all know, researching something happening in the world right now can give us many fascinating details. Pay attention to big news stories and trends to get timely topic ideas.

3. Consider Your Class Subjects and Curriculum

Your school courses cover many exciting topics worth exploring in a research paper. Think about class lectures or textbook chapters you enjoyed learning about. Describing a topic tied to your classes shows what you have learned.

4. Research Different Viewpoints on an Issue

Picking a controversial issue and describing people’s views leads to an insightful paper. Look at all angles of complex social, political, or ethical dilemmas.

5. Select a Local Topic to Study

A descriptive study of something happening in your local community allows first-hand research. People, places, events, or businesses in your hometown offer great topic options to describe from experience.

6. Find a Topic With Available Data To Analyze

Look for a research topic with surveys, statistics, experiments, or other data sources you can describe in detail. Quantitative data gives descriptive papers more sense.

7. Identify Something To Observe and Describe

An observational study describes the details of what you witness happening. Watch people’s behavior in public or study a place or activity you can observe directly.

8. Choose A Specific Topic

Broad topics must be narrowed into a focused descriptive study. Pick ideas that can be honed into a specific angle or research question to describe in your paper thoroughly.

9. Talk to Your Teacher About Ideas

Your teacher can help steer you towards manageable topics tied to your studies and guide you away from too broad subjects. Discuss your interests.

10. Make Sure You Can Describe the Topic Thoroughly

Finally, ensure your descriptive research topic allows for plenty of in-depth, sensory details. Pick ideas with ample aspects, perspectives, and data to describe at length.

After this, let’s learn top tips to craft descriptive research topics for high school students.

Top Benefits of Descriptive Research Topics for High School Students

Here are the top benefits of descriptive research topics for high school students.

  • Builds Critical Thinking Abilities

Doing descriptive research means students must ask queries, monitor, analyze info, and make conclusions. This process supports their critical thinking skills.

  • Shows How to Collect Data the Right Way

Descriptive research teaches students how to gather data in an organized manner. They learn to do surveys, interviews, and experiments to collect helpful data.

  • Inspires Curiosity and Interest in Learning

Students get to pick topics they find interesting for descriptive research projects. This makes them more curious and enthusiastic to learn.

  • Allows Exploration of Real-World Problems

These let students explore real issues in their towns and the world. This makes learning more relevant.

  • Develops Research and Writing Abilities

Descriptive projects help improve research, writing, and communication skills, from research to final reports.

  • Promotes Teamwork and Working Together

Students can unite on descriptive research topics. It allows them to practice teamwork, responsibility, and working together.

  • Provides Hands-On Learning Experiences

These topics are active processes that give students first-hand experience, not just book knowledge.

  • Develops Time Management and Organization Abilities

There are many steps in descriptive research. Following deadlines and organizing information teaches valuable time management abilities.

  • Allows Customization Based on Interests

Students can choose descriptive research topics that match their interests and passions. This makes projects more meaningful.

  • Prepares for College and Future Jobs

The research and analytical skills used in descriptive projects will be valuable in college and careers.

Final Words,

From the blog, it is clear that students from descriptive research topics for high school can learn by observing and describing things at school. The main goal is to pick something at school and observe it closely. 

This research teaches students to gather facts in an organized way. It’s good practice for more advanced research later. Students can do exciting projects with thoughtful planning by observing and describing their daily school lives.

Can high school students work together on a descriptive research project?

Yes, it’s a good idea! Teaming up with classmates means you can combine your thoughts, resources, and skills, making the research project more vital and more complete.

How can descriptive research projects be part of high school lessons?

Teachers can mix descriptive research into science, social studies, or English. This encourages students to ask questions and think critically.

Are there things to help high school students with descriptive research projects?

Yes, there are lots of things! You can use library books and online databases and get guidance from teachers or mentors to help you develop and carry out your descriptive research project.

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Descriptive Essay Examples

Barbara P

Amazing Descriptive Essay Examples for Your Help

Published on: Jun 21, 2023

Last updated on: Mar 1, 2024

Descriptive Essay Examples

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Interesting Descriptive Essay Topics - 2024

Writing a Descriptive Essay Outline - Tips & Examples

Descriptive Essay: Definition, Tips & Examples

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Descriptive essays are very commonly assigned essays. This type of essay enhances students' writing skills and allows them to think critically. 

A descriptive essay is often referred to as the parent essay type. Other essays like argumentative essays, narrative essays, and expository essays fall into descriptive essays. Also, this essay helps the student enhance their ability to imagine the whole scene in mind by appealing senses.

It is assigned to high school students and all other students at different academic levels. Students make use of the human senses like touch, smell, etc., to make the descriptive essay more engaging for the readers. 

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Examples make it easy for readers to understand things in a better way. Also, in a descriptive essay, different types of descriptions can be discussed. 

Here are some amazing examples of a descriptive essay to make the concept easier for you. 

Descriptive Essay Example 5 Paragraph

5 paragraphs essay writing format is the most common method of composing an essay. This format has 5 paragraphs in total. The sequence of the paragraphs is as follows;

  • Introduction
  • Body Paragraph 1
  • Body Paragraph 2 
  • Body Paragraph 3
  • Conclusion 

Following is an example of a descriptive essay written using the famous 5 paragraph method. 

5 Paragraph Descriptive Essay

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Descriptive Essay Example About A Person

Descriptive essays are the best option when it comes to describing and writing about a person.  A descriptive essay is written using the five human senses. It helps in creating a vivid image in the reader’s mind and understanding what the writer is trying to convey. 

Here is one of the best descriptive essay examples about a person. Read it thoroughly and try to understand how a good descriptive essay is written on someone’s personality.

Descriptive Essay Example About a Person

Descriptive Essay Example About A Place

If you have visited a good holiday spot or any other place and want to let your friends know about it. A descriptive essay can help you explain every detail and moment you had at that place. 

Here is one of the good descriptive essay examples about a place. Use it as a sample and learn how you can write such an essay. 

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Descriptive Essay Example for Grade 6

Descriptive essays are frequently assigned to school students. This type of essay helps the students enhance their writing skills and helps them see things in a more analytical way.

If you are a 6 grader and looking for a good descriptive essay example, you are in the right place.  

Descriptive Essay Example for Grade 7

Here is one of the best descriptive essay examples for grade 7. 

Descriptive Essay Example for Grade 8

If you are looking for some amazing descriptive essay examples for grade 8, you have already found one. Look at the given example and see what a well-written descriptive essay looks like. 

Descriptive Essay Example for Grade 10

Essay writing is an inevitable part of a student's academic life . No matter your grade, you will get to write some sort of essay at least once. 

Here is an example of a descriptive essay writing for grade10. If you are also a student of this grade, this example might help you to complete your assignment.

Descriptive Essay Example for Grade 12

If you are a senior student and looking for some essay examples, you are exactly where you should be. 

Use the below-mentioned example and learn how to write a good essay according to the instructions given to you. 

Descriptive Essay Example College

Descriptive essays are a great way to teach students how they can become better writers. Writing a descriptive essay encourages them to see the world more analytically.

Below is an example that will help you and make your writing process easy.

College Descriptive Essay Example

Descriptive Essay Example for University

Descriptive essays are assigned to students at all academic levels. University students are also assigned descriptive essay writing assignments. As they are students of higher educational levels, they are often given a bit of difficult and more descriptive topics. 

See the example below and know what a descriptive essay at the university level looks like. 

Short Descriptive Essay Example

Every time a descriptive essay isn't written in detail. It depends on the topic of how long the essay will be.  

For instance, look at one of the short descriptive essay examples given below. See how the writer has conveyed the concept in a composed way. 

Objective Descriptive Essay Example

When writing an objective description essay, you focus on describing the object without conveying your emotions, feelings, or personal reactions. The writer uses sight, sound, or touch for readers' minds to bring life into pictures that were painted by words.

Here is an example that you can use for your help. 

Narrative and Descriptive Essay Example

A narrative descriptive essay can be a great way to share your experiences with others. It is a story that teaches a lesson you have learned. The following is an example of a perfect narrative descriptive essay to help you get started.

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How to Start a Descriptive Essay? - Example

If you don't know how to start your descriptive essay, check this example and create a perfect one. 

How to Start a Descriptive Essay - Example

Subjective Descriptive Essay Example

It is a common concept that a descriptive essay revolves around one subject. Be it a place, person, event, or any other object you can think of. 

Following is one of the subjective descriptive, easy examples. Use it as a guide to writing an effective descriptive essay yourself. 

Writing a descriptive essay is a time-consuming yet tricky task. It needs some very strong writing, analytical, and critical thinking skills. Also, this is a type of essay that a student can not avoid and bypass. 

But if you think wisely, work smart, and stay calm, you can get over it easily. Learn how to write a descriptive essay from a short guide given below. 

How to Write a Descriptive Essay?

A writer writes a descriptive essay from their knowledge and imaginative mind. In this essay, the writer describes what he has seen or experienced, or ever heard from someone. For a descriptive essay, it is important to stay focused on one point. Also, the writer should use figurative language so that the reader can imagine the situation in mind. 

The following are some very basic yet important steps that can help you write an amazing descriptive essay easily. 

  • Choose a Topic

For a descriptive essay, you must choose a vast topic to allow you to express yourself freely. Also, make sure that the topic you choose is not overdone. An overdone will not grab the attention of your intended audience. Check out our descriptive essay topics blog for a variety of intriguing topic suggestions.

  • Create a Strong Thesis Statement

A thesis statement is the essence of any academic writing. When you select the descriptive essay topic, then you create a strong thesis statement for your essay.  

A thesis statement is a sentence or two that explains the whole idea of your essay to the reader. It is stated in the introductory paragraph of the essay. The word choice for creating the thesis statement must be very expressive, composed, and meaningful. Also, use vivid language for the thesis statement.  

  • Collect the Necessary Information

Once you have created the thesis statement and are done writing your essay introduction . Now, it's time to move toward the body paragraphs. 

Collect all necessary information related to your topic. You would be adding this information to your essay to support your thesis statement. Make sure that you collect information from authentic sources. 

To enhance your essay, make use of some adjectives and adverbs. To make your descriptive essay more vivid, try to incorporate sensory details like touch, taste, sight, and smell.

  • Create a Descriptive Essay Outline

An outline is yet another necessary element of your college essay. By reading the descriptive essay outline , the reader feels a sense of logic and a guide for the essay. 

In the outline, you need to write an introduction, thesis statement, body paragraphs and end up with a formal conclusion.

Proofreading is a simple procedure in which the writer revises the written essay. This is done in order to rectify the document for any kind of spelling or grammatical mistakes. Thus, proofreading makes high-quality content and gives a professional touch to it. 

You might be uncertain about writing a good enough descriptive essay and impress your teacher. However, it is very common, so you do not need to stress out. 

Hit us up at CollegeEssay.org and get an essay written by our professional descriptive essay writers. Our essay writing service for students aims to help clients in every way possible and ease their stress. Get in touch with our customer support team, and they will take care of all your queries related to your writing. 

You can always enhance your writing skills by leveraging the power of our AI essay writing tools .

Place your order now and let all your stress go away in a blink! 

Barbara P (Literature)

Barbara is a highly educated and qualified author with a Ph.D. in public health from an Ivy League university. She has spent a significant amount of time working in the medical field, conducting a thorough study on a variety of health issues. Her work has been published in several major publications.

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117 Great Persuasive Essay Topics for High School Level Students

persuasive essay topics

When working on any essay, the first thing you’ll have to figure out is your topic. In high school, you are supposed to pick the kind of topic you will be able to dig into — that is, you have to make sure you can find enough info on the subject. Sure, today it seems that getting your hands on any kind of information is simple and question how long is a thesis isn't on the table yet. Still, you have to remember that apart from being available, the info you discuss should be engaging. So, that’s something to think about.

Argumentative and persuasive essays are most commonly assigned to high school students. So, there are plenty of papers in public domains that are written in one of these styles — and you can take a look at those if you need some inspiration. When working on an argumentative paper, for example, a student is supposed to present two polar different opinions on the subject and present enough evidence to support each point of view. But simply discussing two sides of the argument is not enough — a writer should also come up with a comprehensible conclusion. The same goes for persuasive essays — after all, the student’s primary goal here is to persuade the reader in his/her point of view.

In fact, a lot of argumentative essays are actually persuasive papers. So, if you’ve written at least one of those, you'll know how to write the other one. If you haven’t, here is a tip for you: choose a topic you feel strongly about. This is the certain way to make sure you will have enough ideas for a truly engaging paper; and, since you feel strongly about the subject, it will be way easier to prove your point of view to the reader.

Another word of advice while choosing a persuasive essay topic is to pick something that would be neither too broad, nor too narrow. Remember that most high school papers are no longer than five pages (often, even shorter than that), so it’s best to choose just one question and focus on it in your work. Also, remember that you will have to provide some factual evidence for your opinion (after all, any academic paper should be supported by academically recognized sources), so do not go for subjects that are purely opinionated and do not have any chance of justification.

Now that we’ve highlighted how important choosing a persuasive topic is for a student, let’s give you some great topic ideas to get you started.

50 Simple Essay Topics for High School

  • How can a person overcome fear?
  • Describe a piece of art (book, painting, poem) that changed your life.
  • Should students evaluate their teachers?
  • Do standardized tests really reveal student knowledge?
  • Should there be extra incentives for good grades at school?
  • Should Gym classes be obligatory?
  • Should we make our school calendar longer?
  • Can a class size influence student performance?
  • Should schools punish inappropriate student behavior?
  • Is there a connection between real-life violence and video games?
  • Should illegal immigrants’ children get an education?
  • Is there a way to deal with bullies in schools?
  • How reality TV is enforcing dangerous stereotypes
  • Is pop culture encouraging students not to pursue education?
  • White lies: what are they and should we really believe them to be innocent?
  • Should violent video games be sold to minors?
  • Using cell phones for education: the pros and cons
  • Should we conceal our real identities on the web?
  • Technology: distraction or a bonus?
  • Educational apps: how helpful are they?
  • Should everyone go for a college education?
  • The role of affirmative action in the modern world
  • College admission criteria: is there anything else apart from SAT?
  • The skinny model stereotype and its pressure on average girls
  • Do we really have equal rights for men and women?
  • Why so few girls pursue careers in exact sciences?
  • Stopping sexual abuse against young women
  • Should sports bets be legalized?
  • Can cheerleading be considered a sport?
  • Homosexual rights for sportsmen
  • The role of sports in our world
  • Are sports in the US too commercialized?
  • The benefits of local sports franchises
  • Should colleges pay their baseball players?
  • The debate of the naming rights
  • How should we treat juvenile offenders?
  • Pros and cons of death penalty
  • Leadership and the moral obligations that come with it
  • A cure against mass shootings
  • Should we change our gun control policy?
  • Is there too much digital censorship these days?
  • Should rich people pay higher taxes?
  • Government and the confidence we place in it
  • Privacy Vs. Security: which one comes first?
  • Should the US monitor its allies and citizens?
  • Should students be able to pick their teachers?
  • Is it reasonable to lower the voting age?
  • How important is fashion?
  • The appropriate dating age
  • Can older generation learn from the new one?

50 Persuasive topic ideas for high school

  • The pros and cons of allowing cell phones in schools
  • Free state college attendance for the state residents
  • The pros and cons of marijuana treatment
  • Is death penalty justifiable for violent offenders?
  • Should illegal immigrants be granted same rights as citizens?
  • Airport security: do we really need that many screenings?
  • Should we allow birth control for minors?
  • Free condoms at schools: atrocity or necessity?
  • Should schools separate gym grades from the grade list?
  • Free wi-fi in the cities: pros and cons
  • How often should teachers pass qualification tests?
  • Universal wealthy: how reasonable it is in the US realia?
  • Animal product testing: ethical vs. practical
  • Civil unions: should the government recognize them?
  • Is it reasonable to keep suspected terrorists under custody?
  • Should students be allowed to bring their music players to school?
  • Can we charge plus size citizens double ticket fair?
  • Corporate lobbyists and political campaigns: is their support legal?
  • Should school dedicate more attention to world religions?
  • Introducing obligatory community service in schools
  • Is it safe to keep exotic pets?
  • Cellphones in the classroom: should the teachers have them?
  • Violent crimes and minors: should the government treat them as adults?
  • Should we legalize euthanasia?
  • Should federal government control and restrict certain content on the Internet?
  • Sexual education as an obligatory subject in high schools
  • Should ESL students pass state tests in their native languages?
  • Can digital devices replace traditional textbooks?
  • Is it reasonable to test professional sportsmen for drugs?
  • Should corporate advertising be allowed in schools?
  • Can students and over be friends on social media?
  • How ethical it is to use stem cells from aborted children for the research?
  • Should the USA spend more time on internal affairs and less on overseas issues?
  • Drunk driving: should we enforce stricter punishment?
  • Is it ethical for a rape victim to go for an abortion?
  • Driving without a seat-belt: should it be considered a crime?
  • Is it necessary for high school sportsmen to take drug tests?
  • Should schools increase their budgets by selling food and drinks to students?
  • Is it ethical to advertise alcohol on TV?
  • Should foreign goods be taxed higher than internal products?
  • Free bus rides for seniors: do we need them?
  • Should the government ban sports betting?
  • Should the government lower the budget for schools that show weak results on SAT?
  • Would it be reasonable to euthanize dogs that have shown aggressive behavior towards people?
  • Should we introduce government censorship on certain online content?
  • Should we lower the minimal working age to 14 years old?
  • The pros and cons of wearing uniforms in schools
  • Should we allow getting a driving permit starting the age of 21?
  • Should schools introduce fast food in their menus?
  • Should booster seats for children be made obligatory?

12 Controversial Topics for School

  • Are there any moral grounds that can justify torture?
  • Should we consider police cameras an invasion of our privacy?
  • Should we ban tobacco once and for all?
  • Is the access to condoms affecting teenage irresponsible behavior?
  • Is the mankind really responsible for global warming?
  • Is it reasonable to teach creationism in schools?
  • How fair is our election process?
  • Should fathers get a paternity leave just as mothers do?
  • Are parents disrupting their children’s privacy by posting photos online?
  • Is advertising to children ethical?
  • Is average CEO salary justifiable?
  • Should the army promote their programs to high school students?

Best Topics for high school that are interesting and fun to read

  • The positive aspects of rivalry
  • The matter of age in a relationship
  • Is boredom is the surest way to trouble?
  • Should we increase or lower the drinking age?
  • Are the college tuition fees too high?

Those are some of the most interesting, opinionated essay topics for high school level. The biggest perk of the above examples is that most of them are based on a student’s opinion. At the same time, most of these topics presuppose some research — so any idea you’re proving will not be without confirmation. If you want to get more inspiration check out exploratory essay topics as well.

The final word of advice would be to pay your attention not only to the topic you choose but also to the way you present and organize your ideas. Do not forget that any essay should have an intro, main body and conclusion. The main body should be divided into a series of logically connected paragraphs, each presenting a certain point.

Finally, if you are to write and essay but have little knowledge or interest in the subject, do not forget that there are plenty of custom essay writers that will gladly do the job for you. Perhaps, the toughest thing to do when looking for an essay writing service or lab report example is determining which of them are reliable and which are not. But, with a little bit of time and patience (and attention to detail, of course), you will have no problem figuring out which service is worth a shot. A tip: these companies usually have a great number of positive customer reviews, are available through multiple support channels and have no problem sharing useful information for free.

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The 10 Best Descriptive Essay Topics For High School Students

One of the assignments that you may be asked to write in high school is a descriptive essay. When you are writing a descriptive essay, the point is to describe something in detail. You will want to give so much information regarding you topic that your audience is able to see it through your words. It aims to paint a portrait through details. It is a great way of practicing how to use details in your writing to express certain things.

Choosing a topic for your descriptive essay is not always easy. You will need to make sure that it has a few different characteristics. The topic that you choose should be something that you have lived through and something that you have experienced so that you can write about your experience first-hand. You should also write about something that you remember vividly because your paper has to be vivid, which will be hard to accomplish if your memories are foggy. You want to be able to write a paper that follows the sequences of an event so if you don’t remember everything or it was when you weren’t paying attention to detail, it won’t be effective. Here are some really good ideas to help you choose the best topic for this paper.

  • Beautiful autumn day
  • Last day of school for the year
  • Scariest place you have been
  • Place you went
  • Favorite family heirloom
  • Worst accident you have been in
  • Dream diverted
  • Natural disaster’s devastating effects
  • Most romantic moment
  • Graduation day

Once you have chosen a topic, you will want to write down the main events that occurred that you will want to discuss in your paper. They will help you remember the things that you may have forgotten. For example, you may remember what happened before something else happened or you will read through the sequence of events and it will bring back some memories of what happened.

If you chose to write about a trip you took to Italy, you would start to write down the many different events that you will want to discuss. One of the best ways to start this step in the process is by writing the event descriptions on index cards. You can line them up in the order that you will write your paper. If you think of something that should go in between two other events, you can stick the card in that spot.

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60 Senior Project Ideas for High School Students – 2024

May 13, 2024

senior project ideas for high school students

Many high school students look forward to the exciting moment of choosing a senior project. This makes sense since senior projects provide opportunities for students to direct what they’ve learned into something they care about, and to take their academic interests beyond the classroom. At the same time, deciding what to pursue can be nerve-wracking. After all the anticipation, when it finally comes time to decide on a project, students might ask themselves, now what ? If you find yourself in this dilemma, or if you could just use some further inspiration, continue reading for a list of 60 senior project ideas for high school students. Once you find a senior project idea that catches your eye, you can always put your own spin on it, or use it to inspire projects on topics outside this list.

What is a senior project?

Put simply, a senior project is a semester-long project you take on in your final year of high school. So, what counts as a senior project? This can vary widely. While different schools have different requirements (for example, some high schools expect students to focus specifically on internship experiences), the assignments tend to be pretty flexible. In the senior project ideas listed below, you will find suggestions ranging from assisting a science researcher, to interning at a local museum, to organizing an academic tutoring program, to helping with community voter registration. The final outputs for senior projects may also vary in form, from guidebooks, to plays, to research papers, and apps.

Considerations when choosing a senior project

Because a senior project is often seen as the culmination of your high school experience, you should choose a topic that reflects your passions and interests. At the same time, it’s an opportunity to develop new skills and challenge yourself as you prepare for your next steps after graduation. Whether you have plans to begin a 4-year university program, enroll in a 2-year degree program , take a gap year , or start a new job, a senior project can prepare you with experience that you wouldn’t receive in your high school classes in an ordinary semester.

Here are a few questions you can ask yourself when thinking of a senior project idea:

  • What field or career do you wish to pursue? If you’re not sure, what are 2-3 fields that you could possibly see yourself pursuing at this point in your life?
  • What world issues do you care most about? Climate change? LGBTQIA+ rights? Accessible healthcare? If thinking about a particular issue sparks a passion, this could be a great place to start.
  • Based on your high school coursework experience, could you see yourself spending extra time on an artistic project? A science-based one? A research paper with a political theme?
  • What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Volunteering with kids? Hiking and camping? Dancing? Cooking? Perhaps you can orient your senior project to something that you already know brings you joy.

60 senior project ideas

Below you can find 60 high school senior project ideas, divided into some general categories that might help you focus your search. As you read through, feel free to stick to these exact ideas or use them to inspire other ones.

Business – Senior Project Idea

  • Write a printed or virtual guidebook to small local businesses in your area, including descriptions, photographs phone numbers and social media accounts.
  • Help a local business with an advertising campaign, through local news outlets and social media.
  • Develop a mentorship program to help those who are searching for jobs with resumes, interviews, and cover letters.
  • Intern at a start-up based in your area.
  • Write a research paper about models for sustainable businesses.
  • Organize an after-school program that helps students learn financial literacy.

Community service

  • Organize a ride service to bring elderly community members to and from doctor’s appointments, or to provide them with groceries and other needs.
  • Volunteer at a local soup kitchen.
  • Organize a food drive at your school.
  • Create a social media campaign for a local animal shelter to raise awareness.
  • Collaborate with a local charity or non-profit with a mission you believe in to organize a fundraiser.
  • Collect school supplies and art supplies for families in need.

Creative writing – Senior Project Ideas

  • Write and illustrate a children’s book.
  • Create a handmade poetry book.
  • Intern at a small local publisher or magazine.
  • Work to translate a short story or poem to another language.
  • Write a screenplay for a short film.
  • Start a school literary magazine that accepts student submissions of poems, essays, and short stories. Organize a team so that the magazine can continue after you graduate.
  • Organize a peer tutoring program at your school for students who need extra help with writing, languages, or math.
  • Construct a free library box in your neighborhood so that more people have access to books.
  • Volunteer at a local elementary school to help children with their homework after school.
  • Work with a local senior center to teach a foreign language to residents.
  • Develop a website or app for students to match with language partners for practicing conversation skills.
  • Start a visual or performing arts class for children in your community.

Environmentalism- Senior Project Ideas

  • Design and build a sustainable garden.
  • Organize a community clean-up day, or a series of community clean-up days, at a local park or waterfront.
  • Organize an Earth Day festival at your school. This could involve live music and performance, environmental art displays, local vegetarian food, and sustainable clothing swaps.
  • Write a research paper on one thing that contributes to climate change, as well as potential solutions.
  • Write a guidebook to local parks and hiking trails so that locals and visitors alike can appreciate these outdoor spots.
  • Create a fashion line with all reused materials.
  • Research historic sites in your neighborhood or town, and write a printed or online guidebook to these points of local history.
  • Record a podcast on the history of one of your hobbies (fashion? sports?) Contact an expert on this history to ask if you can interview them on the podcast.
  • Write a research paper on the history of a particular protest movement.
  • Write and direct a short play with a contemporary take on a historical event that interests you.
  • Create a documentary film on the history of your community (school, town, etc.), and organize a community screening.
  • Intern at a local history museum.

Performing Arts – Senior Project Ideas

  • Write and record an original song.
  • Write, direct, and show a one-act play.
  • Organize a community dance performance with student choreographers and performers, featuring a range of different styles.
  • Volunteer to help with accessibility needs (theater access, live captioning, etc.) at a local theater.
  • Organize a school comedy night or talent show that benefits a charity of your choice.
  • Research the history of a film genre, and direct a short film that reflects this genre.
  • Intern for a local political newspaper or magazine.
  • Volunteer on the campaign of a local candidate.
  • Create an online blog to write on a political issue you care about, or write a series of op-eds for a local newspaper.
  • Write a research paper on a local problem (housing prices, green space, voting access) that discusses possible solutions to this problem.
  • Create a Model UN or Mock Trial team at your school if one doesn’t already exist.
  • Help teens and other community members register to vote.

Science and medicine – Senior Project Ideas

  • Build a Rube Goldberg machine .
  • Work in the lab of a STEM professor at a nearby university who works on a topic you’re interested in.
  • Research a community health problem (drug safety, air/water quality, nutritional food access) and develop solutions with the help of local politicians and/or medical experts. Create a research paper, blog, or documentary film on your findings.
  • Assist at a doctor’s office or hospital by helping to translate for patients who are non-native English speakers.
  • Design an architectural structure (for example, a house or bridge) and build a 3D model.
  • Organize a technology support group at your school to make technology more accessible and help with easy tech repairs.

Visual arts

  • Design a mural for your school to highlight an aspect of the school culture or commemorate an important moment in its history.
  • Intern at a local art museum and learn how to give a tour of its current exhibits.
  • Organize the collaborative building of a sculpture at your school made of all reused or found objects.
  • Offer to take wedding or senior photographs for those who might not be able to afford a professional photographer.
  • Study a famous painter, and then create a series of paintings (or art of another medium) based on, or in response to, their works.
  • Create a school-wide photography exhibition, with a theme of your choosing.

Senior Project Ideas – Final thoughts

We hope that this list has sparked inspiration for your high school senior project. Remember that while senior projects are important (and hopefully fun) opportunities to culminate your high school experience, you don’t need to do it all in one project! If you’re inspired by more than one of these project ideas, hold onto them for years to come or pursue them as summer internships .

If you’re interested in more project ideas for high school students, we recommend the following articles:

  • 100 Examples of Community Service Projects
  • 98 Passion Project Ideas
  • 100 Best Clubs to Start in High School
  • Persuasive Speech Topics
  • High School Success

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Sarah Mininsohn

With a BA from Wesleyan University and an MFA from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Sarah is a writer, educator, and artist. She served as a graduate instructor at the University of Illinois, a tutor at St Peter’s School in Philadelphia, and an academic writing tutor and thesis mentor at Wesleyan’s Writing Workshop.

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  3. 🏷️ Example of a descriptive essay about a picture. 20+ Engaging

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COMMENTS

  1. 120+ Fascinating Essay Topics for High School Students

    The following ideas work well for compare-contrast essays. ( Find 80+ compare-contrast essay topics for all ages here.) Public and private schools. Capitalism vs. communism. Monarchy or democracy. Dogs vs. cats as pets. WeAreTeachers. Paper books or e-books. Two political candidates in a current race.

  2. 120 Unique Descriptive Essay Topics for Students

    While writing this type of descriptive essay, you have to compose the text using your own experience and thoughts. No researches, no outer opinions, just your mind, and your head. Only sensory information is used to understand the descriptive topic. The description of the things is clear and simple. Imagination, though, creates pictures in the ...

  3. 50 Great Essay Topics for High School Students (Updated)

    Here are some themes they could explore from their unique point of view: Internet (see 50 privacy essay topics here) Climate change and global warming (see our list of 53 Earth and Environmental prompts) Fake news. Obesity in the United States. Immigration, illegal immigrants, and a path to becoming a citizen.

  4. 260+ Trending Descriptive Essay Topics for Students

    Descriptive Essay Topics for Students. Before selecting the topic for a descriptive essay, make sure it tells the reader about the essay. Here, we have compiled a list of topics for students from different academic levels to write a good essay. ... The sounds of a high school cafeteria. Describing the journey of a historical figure. A walk ...

  5. 100 Descriptive Essay Topics

    The list of descriptive essay topics I provided is designed to offer a wide range of subjects for writers to explore. Each category—Place, People, Objects, and Memories—has its own set of unique and thought-provoking topics aimed at sparking creativity and providing an opportunity to practice descriptive writing. Check out our narrative essay topics and writing…

  6. 220 Descriptive Essay Topics & Ideas for Every Student

    Here are some of the examples of descriptive essay topics for high school students: Importance of summer school. How I trained my dog. How the solar system works. Kobe Bryant: the mamba mentality. ... Learn some of the descriptive essay topics for college students to get your creative juices flowing: My online virtual learning experience in ...

  7. 30 Captivating Descriptive Essay Topics for Students

    These descriptive essay topics for grade 9 (and beyonare sure to inspire some great works! 30 Descriptive Essay Topic Ideas. Encourage your writers to choose their personal favorite topic from these descriptive writing topics to help your high school students build upon their existing writing skills and learn to love the writing process.

  8. 50 Descriptive Essay Topics

    We've collected 50 descriptive essay topics to sprout some flowery language. Our descriptive essay topics are designed to spark creative thinking and can be modified for students in elementary, middle and high school. They are grouped by topic for easy student and teacher reference. Feel free to print the entire list for plenty of inspiration ...

  9. Over 170 Prompts to Inspire Writing and Discussion

    During the 2020-21 school year, we asked 176 questions, and you can find them all below or here as a PDF. The questions are divided into two categories — those that provide opportunities for ...

  10. How to Write a Descriptive Essay

    Descriptive essay example. An example of a short descriptive essay, written in response to the prompt "Describe a place you love to spend time in," is shown below. Hover over different parts of the text to see how a descriptive essay works. Descriptive essay example. On Sunday afternoons I like to spend my time in the garden behind my house.

  11. 100+ Best Descriptive Essay Topics for Your Essay

    Descriptive Essay Topics for Middle School Students. Finding the best writing topics for a descriptive essay is an important task to accomplish. Also, keep in mind that you will easily create the thesis statement if your topic is good. Here are some of the great essay topics for different grades. Descriptive Essay Topics for Grade 7

  12. 110 Fresh Essay Topics for High School (Expanded List)

    What Essay Topics Are Suitable for HighSchool Students. High school is a time of self-discovery, exploration, and development, and your essay topics should reflect these important years in your life. Good essay topics for high school students cover a full range - from analyzing classic literature to researching contemporary social issues.

  13. 60 Descriptive Essay Topics Categorized

    Descriptive essay topics for high school students. Students start to write a lot of essays in high school. Teachers give their students these tasks of different issues to test their writing skills. This is when your passion for writing should start to grow before you even enroll in college. Before students select their topics, they should be ...

  14. 120 Descriptive Essay Topics to Spark Your Creativity

    10 min read. 29 Jul 2021. Writing a descriptive essay is a creative task. It requires using sensory language and expressive means, such as similes, metaphors, personifications, etc., for creating a vivid description of an object, place, person, or experience. The best descriptive essays are usually based on the writer's personal lived reality.

  15. 100 Great Free Descriptive Essay Topics For College

    These 100 topics for descriptive essay writing assignments are excellent for high school or college-aged students alike. Use them as is or as inspiration. Questions? Call us: Toll Free +1(888) 462-2522. Email: [email protected]. ... The above descriptive essay topics for college students are completely free to use. Share them with your ...

  16. Ultimate List Of 100+ Descriptive Essay Topics

    Ultimate List Of 100+ Descriptive Essay Topics. 2021-03-13. Impressions and feelings, imaginative situations, memories, composing a descriptive paper are fun for most university or college students. They get an opportunity to use their creativity, making this essay type be such fun! You are not supposed to do a lot of reading or research ...

  17. Over 140 Picture Prompts to Inspire Student Writing

    Below, we've categorized the 140+ prompts we published during the 2018-19 school year based on the type of writing they primarily ask students to do — whether it's penning short stories and ...

  18. 50 Engaging Narrative Essay Topics for High Schoolers

    A good narrative essay will begin with an attention-grabbing opening line. But make sure to avoid common clichés, such as "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.". Instead, come up with something original and specific to you and your situation. For example: "My pre-calc teacher was obsessed with circles.

  19. 100 Interesting Research Paper Topics for High Schoolers

    For example, last year over 4000 students applied for 500 spots in the Lumiere Research Scholar Program, a rigorous research program founded by Harvard researchers. The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. The program actually does not require you to have a research topic in ...

  20. 191+ Descriptive Research Topics for High School Students [2024]

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