What principle explains that words are made up of letters and letters represent sounds?

The principle that explains that words are made up of letters and letters represent sounds is the Alphabetic principle. This foundational concept in reading and writing illustrates how the alphabetic writing system functions: specific letters or groups of letters correspond to specific sounds, allowing readers to decode and construct words. Mastery of the Alphabetic principle is crucial for early literacy development, enabling learners to understand that written language corresponds systematically to spoken language.

Phonemic awareness, while closely related, specifically refers to the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate individual sounds (phonemes) in spoken words, without a direct focus on the letters that create those sounds. Reading comprehension involves understanding and interpreting text, which goes beyond the relationship between letters and sounds, while fluency development pertains to the speed and accuracy of reading, which builds on both phonemic awareness and the Alphabetic principle.