Keep Like Things Together . . .

Misplacing modifiers and other such errors make for awkwardness or -- even worse -- the compromising of CLARITY. Remember: clarity wins the day above all else. Once again, no one every complains that a piece of writing is too clear.

Now, take a look at these two passages. The first one was how it actually appeared in an online news story. The second is how I re-wrote it.

In the first instance, it sounds like the guy's nasty deeds were done while in prison! Not true. I hope you agree and see why the second version is better:

The disgraced and former football hero who’s serving a 33-year sentence for assault, robbery and kidnapping in a Nevada prison has reportedly asked President Obama to set him free so he can treat his life-threatening brain cancer outside prison.

The disgraced and former football hero who’s serving a 33-year sentence in a Nevada prison for assault, robbery and kidnapping has reportedly asked President Obama to set him free so he can treat his life-threatening brain cancer outside prison.