Which term refers to expressiveness in reading and speech?

The term that refers to expressiveness in reading and speech is prosody. Prosody encompasses the rhythm, intonation, pitch, and phrasing used when speaking or reading aloud. It plays a critical role in conveying meaning and emotion, allowing listeners to understand not just the words being said, but the nuances that indicate the speaker's feelings or intentions. When someone reads with prosody, they are often varying their pitch and using appropriate pauses, which helps make the reading more engaging and easier for an audience to follow.

In contrast, while fluency also relates to reading and speaking, it primarily focuses on the smoothness and speed of delivery rather than expressiveness. Phonemic awareness pertains to the ability to recognize and manipulate the individual sounds in spoken words, which is more foundational to literacy than expressiveness. Comprehension refers to understanding the meaning of the text, which is essential for effective communication but does not directly pertain to the expressiveness of delivery. Thus, prosody stands out as the correct answer because it specifically addresses the expressive quality that enhances both reading and speech.