Vague sentences

Pick out vague sentences from student work.  Write these on the board. Ask the students to rewrite these with detail so that they present a vivid picture.  I usually tell students to let themselves go if they wish and write small stories or paragraphs if they are so moved.  Some students get ideas for papers out of this exercise.
Go around and share answers. Comment on responses which are especially more vivid or interesting than the originals.  (See sample list of sentences below)

1. It was a pleasant day.
2. He was a strange-looking guy.
3. The class was boring.
4. She never listened to me.
5. Her room was a mess.
6. The view from the top of the mountain was awesome.
7. He was always there for me.
8. The street was busy at this hour.
9. She never pays attention.
10. The night was scary

Talk about when the use of this detail would be appropriate. Why would we want to use words to paint a more vivid picture? When might it not be appropriate?