Descriptions that show your reader instead of telling him are a good way to involve your reader. When I was editing travel articles, some of the least interesting articles used overworked adjectives that did nothing to show the reader what the writer was seeing.
What do you see when you read this statement? I was sitting on a spectacular beach by the gorgeous blue water. Do you have any idea what the writer is trying to show you? Where is the beach? What does the sand look like? Is the beach full of people or is it secluded? What time of day is it? Why is the writer on this beach? What color is gorgeous blue? Is it turquoise, or emerald, or pale? Are there waves?
You get the idea. Show, don’t tell. Involve your reader.
