Final answer:
Syntax is the term that refers to the arrangement of words in phrases and sentences, crucial for forming coherent and well-structured language.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term that refers to the arrangement of words in phrases and sentences is syntax. This is the part of grammar that dictates how words are organized to convey meaning effectively in a sentence. Different elements such as vocabulary, tone, and viewpoint are important in writing, but when it comes to the actual order of words, syntax is the key component that enables us to form coherent and well-structured sentences. Writers often manipulate syntax for rhetorical effect, for example, Shakespeare's character Polonius in Hamlet says "To thine own self be true," which disrupts the more commonly used syntax to stand out. Syntax, in combination with a language's lexicon, helps to determine how the intended meaning is communicated.