What tendency is associated with poor orthographic awareness in writing?

Poor orthographic awareness is often characterized by using different spellings for the same word. This tendency reflects a lack of understanding of the conventions and rules of spelling, which are fundamental components of orthographic awareness. When a person does not have a solid grasp of spelling patterns, they may resort to phonetic spellings or arbitrary choices, leading to inconsistencies in how they write the same word on different occasions. This variability can hinder effective communication and disrupt the flow of writing.

In contrast, consistently correct spelling indicates a strong orthographic awareness, as it reflects an understanding of the standard rules of spelling. Fluent handwriting is unrelated to orthographic awareness, focusing instead on the physical act of writing. Advanced vocabulary usage might suggest a strong command of language, but it doesn’t necessarily correlate with how well someone understands and applies spelling conventions. Therefore, the correct answer emphasizes the common phenomenon of inconsistent spelling as a clear indicator of challenges in orthographic awareness.