What are "high-frequency words"?

High-frequency words are those that appear frequently in written texts and are critical for reading fluency. These words often include common sight words such as "the," "and," "is," and "it," which make up a significant portion of the texts that early readers encounter. Because these words are so common, recognizing them quickly can enhance a reader's ability to understand sentences and paragraphs without getting bogged down in decoding each individual word.

Many high-frequency words are also difficult to decode phonetically; they may not follow typical phonetic rules or patterns. This makes them challenging for young readers who are still developing their decoding skills. Therefore, focusing on these words is essential in early literacy instruction, as it helps students build confidence and fluency, allowing for smoother reading experiences.

The other options do not accurately describe high-frequency words. Some may suggest that these words are infrequent, hard to decode, or only related to poetry, but these assertions do not align with the recognized definition and practical significance of high-frequency words in developing reading skills.