Non-dynamic verbs - Stative verbs

A good sentence will have a strong and expressive and dynamic verb in it. 

Bear these two facts in mind when writing.

Certain verbs are non-dynamic and expressive of no action. These are known as stative verbs, the most important of which is the verb to be.

To get anything out of the verb to be, you need an adjective.  The same applies to appear, seem, become, get (when used as become), sound, feel, and look. In the examples below, the second solution is the better one. Sure, the meanings change a little, but notice how it is easier to squeeze more meaning and information into the revised sentence that avoids these non-dynamic  verbs. A dynamic verb will also force you to think about who or what the real subject of your sentence is.

Sarah is pleasant and delightful for everyone -->
Sarah  delights everyone she meets.

Sarah is a great writer -->
Sarah writes brilliantly

John was feeling sick -->
Nausea swept over John

We became tired-->
Tiredness descended on us
Exhaustion seized us...

The President is a force for evil-->
The President embodies/incarnates/spreads/propels evil (with an SVO construction and a strong verb, you will find you have a greater choice)

The book is hard to write-->
The book resisted every attempt I made to finish it

 Grammar is difficult to teach -->
 I struggle to teach grammar.

She sounds happy-->

She cried for joy

 America seems to be turning against democracy-- >
America is turning its back on democracy.

My town looks like a disused shopping mall -->
My town resembles/reminds me of...

They seem nice-->
They come across as nice

Polarization leads to autocracy -->
Polarization generates/engenders/causes/breeds...

 The knife feels cold in my hand -->
The knife chilled/cooled my hand