Whenever you include a paraphrase, summary, or direct quotation of another writer’s work in your paper, prepare your readers for it with an introduction called a signal phrase. A signal phrase names the author of the source and often provides some context for the source material.
When you write a signal phrase, choose a verb that is appropriate for the way you are supporting your argument. Are you providing background, explaining a concept, supporting a claim, lending authority, or refuting a belief?
You can use signal phrases to
Model signal phrases
In the words of researchers Greenfield and Davis, “. . .”
As legal scholar Jay Kesan has noted, “. . .”
The ePolicy Institute, an organization that advises companies about reducing risks from technology, reported that “. . .”
“. . . ,” writes Daniel Tynan, “. . .”
“. . . ,” claims attorney Schmitt.
Kizza and Ssanyu offer a persuasive counterargument: “. . .”
MLA style calls for present-tense verbs (argues) to introduce source material unless a date specifies the time of writing.
Typical verbs in signal phrases in MLA style
| acknowledges | Adds | admits |
| agrees | argues | asserts |
| believes | claims | comments |
| compares | confirms | contends |
| declares | denies | disputes |
| emphasizes | endorses | grants |
| illustrates | implies | insists |
| notes | observes | points |
| out | reasons | refutes |
| rejects | reports | responds |
| suggests | thinks | writes |
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