1971 NCTE Annual Business Meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada

Background

This resolution grew out of NCTE members’ concern about evidence of the widespread use of deceptive and misleading language by the public spokespersons of various interests in American society (advertisers, business and industry, government, and other groups seeking to persuade the public). They pointed out that it is their duty as teachers of English to foster clarity, directness, and honesty in the use of language and to combat the use of deceptive public language. Be it therefore

Resolution

Resolved, that the National Council of Teachers of English find means to study dishonest and inhumane uses of language and literature by advertisers, to bring offenses to public attention, and to propose classroom techniques for preparing children to cope with commercial propaganda.

This position statement may be printed, copied, and disseminated without permission from NCTE.