What skill do students use when they identify the pronunciation of a spelling of an unfamiliar word through similar-sounding words?

The skill being described is the use of analogies, which involves comparing the spelling or pronunciation of an unfamiliar word to a more familiar, similar-sounding word. When students recognize that two words share similar phonetic patterns, they are able to predict how to pronounce an unfamiliar word based on their knowledge of the familiar word. This strategy helps in decoding new vocabulary by drawing connections to words they already know, enhancing their ability to read and comprehend text.

In this context, analogies serve as a powerful tool for promoting literacy, as they allow students to leverage their existing knowledge of language to make educated guesses about new words. This not only aids in pronunciation but can also support broader comprehension skills by contextually linking new vocabulary to familiar concepts.