What does the alphabetic principle explain?

The alphabetic principle explains that words are composed of individual letters, each representing specific sounds. This principle is foundational for understanding how written language operates, as it highlights the connection between letters (graphemes) and sounds (phonemes). Recognizing that each letter in a word corresponds to a particular sound allows learners to decode unfamiliar words and enhances their reading skills.

Understanding the alphabetic principle is essential for developing strong literacy skills since it forms the basis for phonics instruction, where students learn to associate letters with their corresponding sounds to read and write effectively. This principle is especially critical for young readers and children learning to write, as it supports their ability to understand and manipulate the sounds and letters that create words.

The other options do not accurately represent the alphabetic principle. For example, stating that books are made up of pictures ignores the textual component necessary for reading and literacy. Claiming that letters make sounds independently does not reflect the interdependence of letters and sounds as they work together to form words. Finally, the idea that letters and sounds do not correlate contradicts the very essence of the alphabetic principle, which lies in their relationship.