Which term best describes the overarching plan or organization of a narrative?

The term that best describes the overarching plan or organization of a narrative is text structure. Text structure refers to how information is organized in a piece of writing, including elements like the sequence of events, the arrangement of ideas, and the relationships between them. Understanding text structure is essential for comprehending narratives, as it helps readers follow the plot, recognize key components like the introduction, conflict, climax, and resolution, and appreciate how the author conveys themes and character development. This foundational knowledge supports critical reading skills by enabling readers to analyze how the structure influences the narrative's meaning and effectiveness.

In contrast, summarizing involves condensing the primary ideas and details of a text into a brief overview, rather than focusing on the organization of the story. Spelling patterns relate to phonetics and word formation, which do not pertain to narrative organization. Strategy generally refers to approaches or techniques employed for a specific purpose, such as reading comprehension, rather than specifically dealing with the structure of a narrative. Thus, text structure is the most accurate term for the overarching organization of a narrative.