NYSTCE English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Practice Test

What is referred to as the organizational pattern used in a written piece, such as argumentative or cause and effect?

1. Text Structure

2. Rhetorical Pattern

3. Narrative Style

4. Writing Format

The correct answer is: Rhetorical Pattern

The organizational pattern used in a written piece is best described as "Text Structure." Text structure refers to how information in a written work is organized. Recognizing text structure helps readers understand the relationships between ideas and the main points being made, whether it be through methods like chronological order, comparison and contrast, problem and solution, or other patterns such as cause and effect. Rhetorical patterns, while related to how arguments are structured and presented, do not encompass the full variety of organizational patterns found in all types of writing. Narrative style pertains to how a story is told, focusing on elements like point of view and character development rather than the overall organizational scheme. Writing format generally refers to the physical presentation of a text, including layout and citations, rather than the conceptual patterns that govern the structure of arguments or analyses within the text.