Karakters vir jeugdige lesers

Abstract

Characters for young readers
In discussions on the nature of children and youth literature, various aspects occur repeatedly. The presumption that these aspects are also factors that exert a meaningful influence on the characters in the genre is largely confirmed by research. Based on developmental characteristics, 11-14 year-olds are identifiable as a group with a unique profile. From this it follows that a relationship between the reader profile en genre conventions can be indicated and that it can be applied specifically to character as an element of the narrative. Characteristic genres and genre conventions establish a framework of expectations within the reader, which co-determines the selection, creation and portrayal of characters. The social cognitive development of the young reader appears to be of special importance in character portrayal. Reader identification with characters largely contributes to reader involvement and to the pleasure a young reader derives from the reading of stories. As a result of the educational situatedness of the young reader, ideology plays an important role in literature for the young. Successful characters have always been regarded as important in ensuring the success of a story. Through selection and the equipping of characters, and by means of portrayal, the writer can work towards this aim.