What Is Reading Fluency?

Reading fluency is the ability to read smoothly and expressively with clear understanding. Fluent readers are able to better understand and enjoy what they read. Use the strategies that follow to build your fluency in these four key areas:

• • accuracy and rate

• • intonation

• • phrasing

• • expression

How to Improve Accuracy and Rate

Accuracy is the correctness of your reading. Rate is the speed of your reading.

How to read accurately:

• • Use correct pronunciation.

• • Emphasize correct syllables.

• • Recognize most words.

How to read with proper rate:

• • Match your reading speed to what you are reading. For example, if you are reading an exciting story, read slightly faster. If you are reading a sad story, read slightly slower.

• • Recognize and use punctuation.

Test your accuracy and rate:

• • Choose a text you are familiar with, and practice reading it aloud or silently multiple times.

• • Keep a dictionary with you while you read, and look up words you do not recognize.

• • Use a watch or clock to time yourself while you read a passage.

• • Ask a friend or family member to read a passage for you, so you know what it should sound like.

Use the formula below to measure a reader’s accuracy and rate while reading aloud. For passages to practice with, see Reading Fluency Practice, pp. 568–591.