CORDEL LITERATURE: CONTRIBUTIONS TO LITERACY AND READER TRAINING

Abstract

This article reflects on the importance of incorporating ‘cordel’ literature into Portuguese language lessons, given its potential to stimulate pupils’ interest in reading and writing, as well as to contribute to cultural appreciation and a sense of identity. The aim of this study was to explore the integration of cordel literature as an interdisciplinary teaching resource within the teaching and learning process, with a view to fostering the development of critical and creative readers. From this perspective, the following question was posed: How can the integration of cordel literature into Portuguese language lessons contribute to the development of readers in lower secondary education? Nevertheless, the study was guided by the works of Antunes (2003), Freire (2005), Geraldi (2006), Linhares (2005), Marcuschi (2008) and Santos (2006); in this regard, the research was carried out at the Santa Verônica Nursery and Primary School, in the Quilombo community of Sítio Arruda, in Araripe, Ceará, with classes from Years 6 to 9 of lower secondary education. The study was therefore carried out in the first semester of 2025, adopting a qualitative, descriptive approach based on activities involving reading, discussion and the production of cordel literature, culminating in the creation of a collective work entitled *O Arruda em versos*. The results indicate that the incorporation of cordel literature into everyday school life enhances the teaching and learning process, fostering the development of pupils’ reading skills, creativity, critical thinking and authorship. It is concluded that cordel, as a popular literary genre, constitutes an effective pedagogical tool for reader development, by combining cultural tradition, textual simplicity and thematic diversity with classroom teaching.