Which component of fluency involves converting letters into words?

The component of fluency that involves converting letters into words is decoding. This process is fundamental to reading because it requires the reader to recognize the letters and understand the relationship between those letters and the sounds they represent. As readers decode words, they transform written text into spoken language, allowing for the interpretation and understanding of the material.

Decoding is essential for fluency because it builds the foundation for effective reading. When a reader is proficient at decoding, they can focus on comprehension rather than getting bogged down with the mechanics of reading individual words. The quicker and more accurately a person can decode, the smoother their reading will be, which in turn enhances overall fluency.

Other options provided are distinct concepts that do not directly refer to the conversion of letters into words. Encoding, for example, involves the process of writing or spelling words based on sounds and is the opposite of decoding. Reading comprehension refers to understanding and interpreting text, which relies heavily on both decoding and fluency but does not specifically involve the conversion of letters to words. Phonics is related to teaching reading through the relationship between letters and sounds but does not describe the act of converting letters into words.