Final answer:
The best definition of sight words is option b: any words a reader can recognize instantly and read, as they are common words that aid in fluent reading and comprehension.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best definition of the term sight words in the context of reading and literacy is option b: any words a reader can recognize instantly and read. Sight words are commonly encountered words in written texts that are recognized immediately without the need for phonetic decoding. For young readers especially, mastering a repertoire of sight words is essential for fluent reading and comprehension. These words often include pronouns, conjunctions, and prepositions that appear frequently in sentences, allowing readers to quickly understand the structure and meaning of the text.
Learning sight words enables students to focus less on the mechanics of reading and more on the meaning of the text. It is part of developing a holistic understanding of language where word choice, or diction, matters, and where visual aspects like headlines, boldface, and images play a role in enhancing textual comprehension.