Call for Nominations: Orwell Society/NUJ Young Journalists Award (UK)

The prestigious, UK-wide Young Journalists Award supports Orwell’s legacy and is also a great opportunity for up-and-coming journalists to boost their portfolios, CVs, profiles and industry networks.

Benefits

• Young Journalists Award 2025 offers a cash prize for each winner of the two categories: columns and reviews.
• In addition, each winner will receive an NUJ membership.
• The runner-up in each category will also receive a prize.
• Winners and runners-up will also receive a three-year free membership of The Orwell Society.

Eligibility Criteria

• You are eligible to enter if you are:
  • A student journalist (i.e. a university undergraduate, post-graduate or a vocational trainee).
  • Currently employed or self-employed as a journalist and in both cases, your date of birth falls in or after 1995.
  • You are a full-time resident in the UK.

Judging Criteria

• Subject Knowledge (20%) — Demonstration of knowledge and understanding of the chosen subject. Attention to details which are both valid and relevant such as terms, concepts, theories, events, people, texts, contexts and information. Depth and range of background awareness and comprehension of issues pertinent to the topic indicated by judicious incorporation of facts, quotes, definitions and explanations.
• Intellectual Skills (20%) — Ability to articulate a clear and compelling position through cogent and coherent argumentation. Analysis and evaluation rather than mere description. Questioning and critical thinking rather than assumptions and platitudes. Overall command and synthesis of ideas and reasoning.
• Evidential Skills (20%) — Substantiation of points and arguments by reference to relevant examples. Marshalling of evidence to illustrate and illuminate. Credible sources and research underpinnings rather than dubious claims and unsupported opinion.
• Writing Skills (20%) — Standard of language usage (including grammar, punctuation, spelling and diction) as well as writing style (including expression, clarity, fluency and power). Structure supporting logical and methodical progression. Adherence to the specified word count and form of journalism.
• Overall Cohesion (20%) — The judges will be particularly attentive to four key qualities: 1) originality, 2) emergence of a clear and unique voice, 3) indications of Orwell’s influence, and 4) readiness for publication.

Application Requirements

• An arts review on a subject of your choice (e.g. book, film, play, art exhibition, etc) of no fewer than 600 and no more than 700 words. Your review should include a headline and an indication of the target audience/publication.
• A column on a political subject of your choice of no fewer than 600 and no more than 700 words. Your column should include a headline and an indication of the target audience/publication.
• A reflection of no fewer than 250 and no more than 300 words, on how your review or column is informed by Orwell’s influence. You should explain which aspects of Orwell’s life and works have had an important bearing on your piece.
• A covering email to include the following: full name, address, date of birth, journalistic qualifications, and experience.

For more information, visit The Orwell Society.