Order child to return tawdry articles (6)
I believe the answer is:
diktat
'order' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'child to return tawdry articles' is the wordplay.
'child' becomes 'kid' ('kid' can be a synonym of 'child').
'to return' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'tawdry articles' becomes 'tat' (I've seen this before).
'kid' written backwards gives 'dik'.
'dik'+'tat'='DIKTAT'
(Other definitions for diktat that I've seen before include "Dogmatic statement" , "Autocratic decree" , "Order allowing no opposition" , "Harsh order given by someone with authority" , "Harsh authoritative order" .)