Spin Doctors on Trial in New GCSE

OXFORD, England, May 27, 2010 - Rather than decide on future leaders by the colour of their tie, a new
GCSE exam unit will teach future voters to make a hard-headed analysis of
spoken language used in the media, including the carefully crafted rhetoric
peddled by political spin doctors.

From September the new OCR GCSE exam requires students to study real
spoken language from public figures such as David Cameron or Gordon Brown,
and Oxford University Press is publishing resources to give our future
electorate the tools to see through the spin.

Could the election result have been more clear-cut if young voters had
been better equipped with these skills? And will the new exam unit survive
the latest education cuts?

    Nick, Gordon, and Dave on the spot

    - Did Gordon Brown actually mean it when he said "If it is all about
      style and PR, count me out"?

    - What was David Cameron's specific point when he said, "that to me is
      the same old politics"?

    - Clegg Mania: what exactly did Nick Clegg say to attract a comparison to
      Winston Churchill?

    - What tactics do politicians use to avoid answering the question?

Students will learn how to cut through the rhetoric of spin doctors to
uncover the truth behind the talk and the policies behind the prattle.

Chris Barcock, examiner and author for the Oxford University Press GCSE
English Language for OCR textbook, says: "I'm expecting students to really
engage with this topic and this should be reflected in their answers. In
today's society young people need to understand how language works in
politics and the media."

To read a sample GCSE exam answer, or for more information, or an interview with Chris Barcock, please email rachel.iliffe at oup.com or helen.mcmanners at oup.com, or phone +44(0)1865-353971.