What is a syllable?

A syllable is defined as a word part that contains a vowel sound. This understanding is fundamental in phonetics and reading instruction, as syllables form the building blocks of pronunciation in words. Each syllable typically includes a vowel sound, which may be accompanied by consonants. For example, in the word "banana," there are three syllables: ba-na-na. Each syllable has its own vowel sound, highlighting the importance of vowels in the structure of syllables.

The other options do not accurately capture the essence of what a syllable is. For instance, "any spoken sound" is too broad and could refer to a range of phonetic elements not specifically related to syllables. The phrase "the final sound in a word" also limits the definition inappropriately, as syllables can occur in the middle or beginning of words, not just as final sounds. Finally, "a written letter" doesn't connect to the concept of syllables, which are units of sound rather than individual letters. Thus, recognizing that a syllable must contain a vowel sound is key to understanding its role in language and literacy development.