A Textbook Case: Aligning Orwell and NCTJ Teaching.

Abstract

This paper reflects on the appearance of two extracts from Orwell’s essay ‘Politics and the English Language’ (1946), which are framed as excellent advice on developing a writing style in the latest National Council for the Training of Journalists’ (NCTJ) guide for trainee journalists. Noting that attention to these extracts arises briefly towards the back of the expanded new guide, this paper nevertheless highlights three positives for both Orwell scholarship and journalism education. Firstly, Orwell’s inclusion is a noteworthy difference from the previous, longstanding guide which did not mention him at all. Secondly, Orwell’s inclusion provides licence for his incorporation into NCTJ teaching practice, opening up creative possibilities for tutors to enhance learning for their UK and international students. Lastly, Orwell’s inclusion is, in fact, a significant development in the context of NCTJ publications historically. Through archival research, this paper finds a general absence of reference to Orwell (who died in 1950) in NCTJ literature since the organisation’s inception in 1951.