Phonics #12

Summary: Structural analysis is a word identification skill that involves studying all aspects of the words, such as affixes, root words, "words" within compound words, etc. Prefixes are placed before a root word and can change the meaning or make it more specific, but do not change the spelling. Suffixes are added to the end of a word and can: change the number, affect the verb tense, indicate comparisons, denote possession, affect meaning or change grammatical category (ex. from a noun to a verb). Below, I will discuss the various reasons or rules for a spelling change when adding a suffix:

1. The spelling of a root word does not change when adding a suffix that begins with a consonant to a root word that ends in a consonant. (gladly)
2. Add -es to words that end in a y preceded by a consonant and to words that end in s, sh, ch, x or z. If the word ends in f or fe, change it to a v and add s or es.
3. Usually, change the y to an i before adding a suffix to a word that ends in a y preceded by a consonant. Do not change y to an i when the word ends in a y preceded by a vowel. And if adding -ing to a word that ends in y preceded by consonant, do not change y to i.
4. When a root wrd ends in a final e, drop the e before adding a suffix that begins with a vowel. Keep the final e when a suffix begins with a consonant.
5. When a one-syllable word contains a short vowel phoneme and ends in a single consonant, double the final consonant before adding a suffix that begins with a vowel.
6. Double the final consonant before adding a suffix to a one-syllable word that ends in a single vowel followed by a single consonant. Do not double when a one-syllable word ends in more than one consonant or has two vowels. Double final consonant when the last syllable of a two-or-more syllable word receives the greatest stress or accent. Do not double the final consonant when the last syllable of a two or more syllable word is not accented.

This section is really beneficial because it helps you see how each aspect of a word impacts the word as a whole. It really forces you to study each individual part of the word and recognize patterns that occur. Even though there are a lot of rules when it comes to phonics, I have really enjoyed studying this because I always have wondered questions such as, "how do you know when to add -s vs. -es" or "under what conditions do you double a consonant when adding -ing"? This book has helped me really see that yes, the English language may be extremely complicated, but there are typically rules and patterns to follow. And even when it doesn't seem like there are patterns, there usually are if you search hard enough.