Whenever you include a paraphrase, summary, or direct quotation of another writer in your paper, prepare your readers for it with an introduction called a signal phrase. A signal phrase usually names the author of the source and gives the publication date in parentheses.
You can use signal phrases to
mark boundaries between your words and the words of a source
introduce summaries and paraphrases
put direct quotations in context
integrate statistics and other facts
When you write a signal phrase, choose a verb that is appropriate for the way you are supporting your argument. Are you arguing a point, making an observation, reporting a fact, drawing a conclusion, or refuting an argument? By choosing an appropriate verb, you can make your source’s role clear.
The American Psychological Association requires using past tense or present perfect tense in phrases that introduce quotations and other source material: Davis (2005) noted that or Davis (2005) has noted that, not Davis (2005) notes that. Use the present tense only for discussing the results of an experiment (the results show) or knowledge that has clearly been established (researchers agree).
It is generally acceptable in the social sciences to call authors by their last name only, even on a first mention. If your paper refers to two authors with same last name, use initials as well.
Using signal phrases in APA papers
Exercise: Integrating sources in APA papers 1
Exercise: Integrating sources in APA papers 2
Exercise: Integrating sources in APA papers 3
Exercise: Integrating sources in APA papers 4
Related topic:
Authors with the same last name (in-text citation)
signal phrase A phrase that cues and introduces the use of source material, usually by naming the author of the material.
present perfect tense A verb tense indicating an action that began in the past and continues to the present: has saved.