What does structural analysis focus on when teaching students to read words?

Structural analysis is an important instructional strategy in reading that specifically focuses on understanding how the components of words contribute to their meanings. This includes the analysis of prefixes, suffixes, and root words. By teaching students to recognize these elements, they can decode unfamiliar words more easily and improve their vocabulary comprehension.

When students learn about prefixes and suffixes, they can break down complex words into manageable parts, which aids in both reading fluency and comprehension. For example, knowing that the prefix "un-" means "not" can help a student understand that "unhappy" means "not happy." This skill is essential as it equips students with tools to tackle new words they encounter, facilitating a deeper understanding of language and enhancing their overall reading skills.

The other options do not center on the analysis of word structure. Focusing on the meaning of entire sentences is more about comprehension rather than the mechanics of the words themselves. The structure of individual letters focuses on orthography rather than their function within words. Finally, while the context of stories is vital for understanding narratives, it doesn't directly address how individual words are constructed and understood. Therefore, the emphasis of structural analysis is rightly placed on the understanding and use of prefixes and suffixes.