Which of the following best describes fluency as a component of reading?

Fluency in reading primarily refers to the ability to read words accurately and quickly. This involves not only recognizing words effortlessly but also maintaining a natural pace and rhythm while reading. When a reader is fluent, they can focus their cognitive resources on comprehension rather than decoding individual words. This seamless transition from word recognition to understanding is what makes fluency a critical component of effective reading.

While understanding complex texts is certainly an important skill, it falls under comprehension rather than fluency. Recognizing sentences is part of reading but does not encapsulate the speed and accuracy aspect intrinsic to fluency. Creative writing, although valuable in its own right, is unrelated to reading fluency. Thus, the ability to read words accurately and quickly is the most comprehensive definition of fluency in the context of reading.