Systematically incorporated into classroom instruction in word analysis, word sorts provide a sensible alternative to phonics or whole-word approaches and are congruent with the meaning-based direction of today's basal reading programs. A word sort is an activity in which the learner arranges words printed on cards into groups. This technique can be manipulated in many ways to help children draw conclusions about how words are related. The basic activity consists of sorting a deck of word cards and grouping them on the basis of similarities. There are two types of word sorts: open-ended and closed-ended. In the latter the common property of the words to be grouped is stated in advance. These sorts help children develop comparison and convergent reasoning. The common property of the words is not stated in an open-ended sort; the learner discerns relationships among the words while sorting them. In this way, the learner forms tentative rules for including words in that group, and redefines the dimensions of the group by adding and removing words. Few other techniques for word study are so flexible, retain students' interest so long, or engage them in such high-level thinking as word sorts. (FL)