The information you gather from sources cannot speak for itself. 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 names the author of the source and often provides some context for the source material.
When the signal phrase includes a verb, choose a verb that is appropriate for the way you are using the source. 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.
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
In a Chicago-style paper, use the present tense or present perfect tense in phrases that introduce quotations or other source material from nonfiction sources: Foote points out that or Foote has pointed out that (not Foote pointed out that). If you have good reason to emphasize that the author’s language or opinion was articulated in the past, however, the past tense is acceptable.
The first time you mention an author, use the full name: Shelby Foote argues. . . . When you refer to the author again, you may use the last name only: Foote raises an important question.
Signal phrase verbs in Chicago (CMS) papers
Exercise: Integrating sources in Chicago (CMS) papers 1
Exercise: Integrating sources in Chicago (CMS) papers 2
Exercise: Integrating sources in Chicago (CMS) papers 3
Exercise: Integrating sources in Chicago (CMS) papers 4
signal phrase A phrase that cues and introduces the use of source material, usually by naming the author of the material.