Which characteristic is key to developing fluency in reading?

Developing fluency in reading heavily relies on the ability to read with appropriate phrasing and a natural flow of speech. This characteristic allows readers to recognize words quickly, enabling them to group words into meaningful phrases rather than reading word by word. When a reader can achieve this natural flow, it enhances comprehension, as they can focus more on the meaning of the text rather than getting bogged down by decoding each word.

Phrasing is essential because it not only impacts how the text sounds when read aloud but also how the text is understood. Fluent readers can adjust their pacing, intonation, and expression based on the context, which further supports comprehension and engagement with the material.

While understanding complex text, practicing phonics and decoding, and having knowledge of punctuation rules are all important components of reading development, they serve different roles. However, phrasing and the natural flow of speech are particularly integral to fluency as they directly influence how effortlessly a reader can navigate and make sense of text as it is being read. This active engagement is what ultimately characterizes fluent reading.