Those of you who have worked closely with me know I am a stickler about writing. We must write clear and easy-to-understand sentences.
Sometimes, we sabotage that effort with the words we choose. That’s why, from time to time, you will receive COPYPOINTS from me. Here is the first:
Let’s avoid starting sentences with the age of the subject of the sentence. i.e. “26‑Year old Kevin Hirschfield was shot to death while..”
Its a non‑starter.
No one talks like that. (Except on TV and at the police station!)
If age is important, take the time to explain why.
Example: Hirschfield, who is 26, is much older than the teens who attacked him.
Unless someone is very old, or very young, their age probably can be relegated to a place deeper in the sentence, or the story.
Outside the News Box 
