What instructional method involves breaking down the word to decide its meaning?

The instructional method that involves breaking down a word to determine its meaning is most accurately characterized as explicit instruction. This approach focuses on direct teaching, where the teacher clearly explains and demonstrates how to analyze and decode words by examining their parts, such as prefixes, suffixes, and roots. This method emphasizes systematic instruction to help students understand the structure and meaning of words, which is crucial for vocabulary development and comprehension.

In contrast, implicit instruction relies more on students discovering meanings on their own through experience and context rather than through direct teaching. Contextual instruction involves teaching vocabulary through meaningful context and usage within sentences or stories, rather than focusing specifically on word breakdowns. Transformational instruction generally pertains to broader approaches in teaching that promote critical thinking and application, rather than specifically addressing word analysis.

Understanding the distinctions between these methods elucidates why explicit instruction is the suitable choice for breaking down words to ascertain their meanings effectively.