One Hundred Essential Sight Words

Abstract

Sight word lists have been used since before 20 BC and have changed forms many times. Today sight word lists are numerous and are widely and variously used. They differ in terms of source, intended purpose and/or audience, and criteria for including specific words. Despite these differences, there is much agreement that they do reflect the most basic words in our language and that there is a high degree of commonality among them. This report identifies the one hundred sight words which appeared in sixteen major sight word lists.