Which of the following is a key component of structured literacy?

Phonemic awareness is indeed a key component of structured literacy because it focuses on the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate individual sounds (phonemes) in spoken words. This skill is foundational for learning to read and write, as it directly correlates with recognizing the connection between sounds and their corresponding letters or letter patterns.

Structured literacy emphasizes explicit, systematic instruction in phonemic awareness to help students develop the skills they need for reading success. By strengthening phonemic awareness, students are better equipped to decode words, which is essential for fluent reading and comprehension. This targeted approach is particularly beneficial for struggling readers, as it lays the groundwork for further literacy development by integrating phonics and comprehension strategies.

In contrast, creative writing focuses more on the expression of ideas and imagination rather than foundational literacy skills. Critical analysis pertains to evaluating texts, which comes after a reader has developed foundational skills. General knowledge assessment measures a wide range of information but does not specifically address the essential skills required for literacy development.