Some Rules Really Aren't Made to Be Broken

One reason for the necessity of AP Style procedures is uniformity.  After all, we can't have one journalist writing the date as November, 1, and another writing it as Nov. 1....That would obviously lead to mass confusion.  I can see where it would look better if each paper followed the same form, but I do think as writers we sometimes get a little crazy attentive.  Regardless of my opinion, the blog must go on, so I'll just give you an example of a rule that I found logical.

Use quotations when you want to communicate the emotions of your readers.  When you want to communicate facts, paraphrase.  There does seem to be a more resounding ring of authority on a phrase that is printed sans quotation marks.  Why is that?  Because as journalists, as writers, we are the voice of the story; we're the authority on the subject we're discussing.  We even surpass the person we're interviewing.  For example, if a man commented on his red shirt, but as the reporter you included a sentence after his quote that said he was actually wearing a blue shirt, your word will be taken over the man's.  Other more practical reasons for this rule include the concept that facts need to be printed plainly, without being cluttered with the emotions or unnecessary words of the speaker.  Things should remain concise and crisp, in true journalistic form.