Skilled readers of English primarily rely on which factor for word recognition?

Skilled readers primarily rely on their ability to attend to a word's component letters and letter units because this process is fundamental to recognizing and decoding words efficiently. This method involves breaking down words into their individual letters and groups of letters, enabling readers to make connections between sounds (phonemes) and their corresponding letters (graphemes).

As readers gain experience and become more proficient, they develop an automaticity in recognizing familiar letter patterns. This process allows them to decode unfamiliar words quickly by applying their phonological knowledge. The recognition of these letter units, such as common prefixes, suffixes, and spelling patterns, plays a critical role in becoming a fluent reader.

While context clues, phonetic cues, and visual memory are all valuable strategies used by readers, they often serve as supplementary aids rather than the primary mechanism for word recognition among skilled readers. A strong foundation in letter recognition and understanding how letters combine to form sounds is essential for accurate and rapid reading, particularly as it helps in tackling new vocabulary and complex texts.