What does "structural analysis" involve?

Structural analysis involves breaking down words into their component parts—such as prefixes, suffixes, inflectional endings, and base words—to understand their meanings and assist with decoding. This approach is essential in language arts as it enables students to make sense of unfamiliar words by recognizing these familiar elements.

For instance, if students encounter a complex word, they can analyze the prefixes and suffixes to uncover clues about its meaning. This skill not only aids in vocabulary development but also enhances overall reading comprehension. Understanding the structure of words empowers readers to approach texts with greater confidence and effectiveness.

The other options relate to different aspects of literacy and reading skills but do not specifically align with the concept of structural analysis. Identifying the main idea focuses on comprehension, summarizing chapters pertains to synthesis of information, and assessing student performance evaluates overall skills without delving into the mechanics of word structure.