Mississippi Foundations of Reading Practice Test

The onset of a syllable refers specifically to the part that comes before the vowel sound. In phonetics, the onset is crucial because it contributes to the overall structure and pronunciation of the syllable. For instance, in the word "table," the onset consists of the sound /t/, which occurs before the vowel sound /eɪ/. Recognizing the onset is important in teaching reading and phonemic awareness, as it helps learners break down words into manageable parts for decoding. Understanding that the onset precedes the vowel sound can aid in instruction on syllable structure and sound manipulation.