A pioneer journalist, Nellie Bly's exploits included

A pioneer journalist, Nellie Bly's exploits included circling the globe faster than Jules Verne's fictional Phileas Fogg

A A pioneer journalist, Nellie Bly's exploits included --> first sentence modifies exploits
B The exploits of Nellie Bly, a pioneer journalist, included --> CORRECT a pioneer journalist modifies Preceding NOUN Nellie Bly - don't mix it up with the NOUN + NOUN Modifier
C Nellie Bly was a pioneer journalist, included --> included modifies journalist (should modify exploits)
D Included in the pioneer journalist Nellie Bly's exploits are --> what is included in the pioneer journalis - nothing...
E The pioneer journalist's exploits of Nellie Bly included --> pioneer jouralist's exploits included...where is the connection to Nellie Bly....


Here are some exceptions to the TOUCH RULE for noun modifiers:

1. A “mission-critical” modifier falls between. This modifier is often an Of-phrase that defines the noun. The less important modifier refers to the noun plus the first modifier.

- He had a way OF DODGING OPPONENTS that impressed the scouts
dodging opponents defines the noun way; that impressed the scouts modifies the entire
noun phrase a way of dodging opponents

2. A very short predicate falls between, shifting a very long modifier back.
- Right: A new CEO has been hired who will transform the company bv decentralizing authority to various division heads while increasing their accountability through the use of public scorecards.

3. A short non-essential phrase intervenes and is set off by commas.
- Right: Our system of Presidential elections favors states, such as Delaware, that by population are over-represented in the Electoral College ( That modifies -> States)

4. The modifier is part of a series of parallel modifiers, one of which touches the noun

- In heraldry, the term "tincture" refers to a color emblazoned on a coat of arms and labeled with a special French word. (here, 2 Modifiers are placed fort he noun Color , it’s ok)

5. Normally a relative clause should touch the noun that it modifies, but we are generally allowed to place an appositive between a relative clause and the modified noun.

- Mary buys cookies made with SugarFree, an artificial sweetener, which tastes as sweet as the corn syrup that her brother loves but where there are fewer calories than in an equivalent amount of corn syrup.


APPOSITIVE PHRASE

An appositive is a re-naming or amplification of a word that immediately precedes it.

My favorite teacher, a fine chess player in her own right, has won several state-level tournaments. [Noun phrase as appositive]
The best exercise, walking briskly, is also the least expensive. [Gerund phrase as appositive]
Tashonda's goal in life, to become an occupational therapist, is within her grasp this year, at last. [Infinitive phrase as appositive]

ABSOLUTE PHRASE

Usually (but not always, as we shall see), an absolute phrase (also called a nominative absolute) is a group of words consisting of a NOUN or PRONOUN and a PARTICIPLE as well as any related MODIFIER. Absolute phrases do not directly connect to or modify any specific word in the rest of the sentence; instead, they modify the entire sentence, adding information. Notice that absolute phrases contain a subject (which is often modified by a participle), but not a true finite verb.

Their reputation as winners secured by victory, the New York Liberty charged into the semifinals.
The season nearly finished, Rebecca Lobo and Sophie Witherspoon emerged as true leaders.
The two superstars signed autographs into the night, their faces beaming happily.