Automaticity: The ability to read words with no noticeable effort. When people are able to read words automatically, they can then devote their attention to understanding what they are reading.

Clause: An arrangement of words containing a subject and verb that creates part, but not all, of a sentence. Clauses can be dependent or independent.

Echo reading: A procedure used to help build reading fluency. During this activity, the teacher or coach reads a section and, while reading, models the appropriate phrasing, pace, and expression. Students then "echo read" the same phrase or sentence trying to use the coach's phrasing, pace and expression. The teacher or coach gives corrective feedback when needed and tries to increase the number of sentences read each time. If the student makes errors, it may be necessary for the coach to read fewer sentences or to repeat what was read.

Explicit: Completely and clearly expressed without ambiguity or vagueness.

Fluency: In the area of reading, the skill of reading with accuracy, speed, and ease.

Phonetic analysis: The process of identifying specific letters, or graphemes, that are used to represent different phonemes in spoken words.

Prosody: The pitch, loudness, tempo, and rhythm patterns of spoken language that result in phrasing and expression.

Reading comprehension: The process or result of gaining intended and personal meaning from written material.

Semantic: Relating to the meaning of written or spoken words.

Sight word: A word that is instantly recognized as a whole when seen and requires no analysis for identification.

Syntax: The ordering of words within phrases, clauses, and sentences whereby the relations among the words are indicated. For example, in English, verbs usually follow nouns, and adjectives usually precede nouns.

Word recognition: The ability to identify and read a word and understand its meaning.