In a parenthetical: Modern poetry “has to find what will suffice” (Stevens 132). Signal phrases also give you a chance to make your writing more polished and professional by varying your sentence structure. These expressions, which usually occur in the parts of sentences that come just before quotes and paraphrases, are called signal phrases (or, in some cases, lead-in phrases). When you quote someone or paraphrase something you’ve read, you need to attribute the idea or quote to the person who said it. Keep things interesting for your readers by switching up the language and placement of your signal phrases. "'Yes,' she said, 'consider this just a warning. In the words of Peterson (2012), “…” As Johnson and Allen (2006) have noted, “…” Einstein and Yvanovich (1956), researchers in physics, pointed out that, “…” “…,” claimed Carter (1998). Dr. Richard Nordquist is professor emeritus of rhetoric and English at Georgia Southern University and the author of several university-level grammar and composition textbooks. They are important to use when you are paraphrasing or quoting someone's ideas other than your own, as at best it's intellectually dishonest if not plagiarism to do so, depending on the amount of text used and how closely it mirrors the original text. The way you do that is by using a signal phrase. Because cable news success often seems to rest as much on the presentation of the programs as the... Citation . Use one of the following if you are writing about this type of situation: Using a variety of signal phrases is helpful, but it’s also important to use them properly. Vary the placement of the phrase to make your writing more professional. Copyright © 2020 LoveToKnow. she asked. Style guides like MLA and APA have different rules for how to use signal phrases. The following signal phrases work in a variety of situations in your writing, whether you are quoting directly or paraphrasing: Some signal phrases indicate uncertainty on the part of the source, a personal belief of the source, or an interpretation you are making based on the words of the original source. Many signal phrases indicate something about the source. Difference Between "Quote" and "Quotation": What Is the Right Word? Often, choosing the right signal phrase is about knowing how you plan to use it. These signal phrases are a bit more ambiguous or opinion-based than the general examples: Some signal phrases work only for situations in which the source disagrees with something or someone else. Signal phrases serve an important role in writing. These examples can help you expand your repertoire. Common signal phrase verbs include the following: argue, assert, claim, comment, confirm, contend, declare, deny, emphasize, illustrate, imply, insist, note, observe, point out, report, respond, say, suggest, think, and write. "Start loving yourself before you ask someone else to love you," Maya Angelou said. Keep these tips and guidelines in mind as you write. "Start loving yourself," Maya Angelou said, "before you ask someone else to love you." Definition and Examples of Direct Quotations. A signal phrase includes a verb (such as said or wrote) along with the name of the person who's being quoted. Editors and style guides generally advise writers to vary the positions of signal phrases to improve readability throughout a text. I answered excitedly. Often, signal phrases can be distinguished by the presence of a verb like "indicate" or "argue" that references what the author is doing in the original source. Basic Signal Phrase: Author’s name + verb (present/present perfect) Elizabeth Warren claims “… ” or Elizabeth Warren has claimed “...” Some tell the reader the quote or paraphrase is the source’s opinion. Broccoli has significant nutritional value. "'You mean I can go!' With signal phrases, readers are not surprised by quotes or paraphrases that are randomly dropped into paragraphs. Think of signal phrases as academic alternatives to “said.” These words and groups of words tell the reader that what he or she is about to read comes from a specific source. You’ll find that having a variety of signal phrases lets you vary the sentence structure in your writing, making your work sound more polished. Although signal phrases usually come at the beginning of the quote or paraphrase, it can also come in the middle or at the end. Use these 40 signal phrases examples to help give credit for quotes and paraphrases. All Rights Reserved, Woman writing a signal phrase for a story, Examples of Signal Phrases and How to Use Them, draws attention to/has drawn attention to. New Sentence With Signal Phrase. In English grammar, a signal phrase is a phrase, clause, or sentence that introduces a quotation, paraphrase, or summary. With a signal phrase: Stevens claims modern poetry “has to find what will suffice” (132). Signal phrases usually include the author’s name but can also include the author’s job title or background (“reporter for Washington Post,” “researcher,” “senator,” “scholar,” and so on) and/or the title of the source. In nonfiction, signal phrases are used to give attribution rather than set off dialogue. Ph.D., Rhetoric and English, University of Georgia, M.A., Modern English and American Literature, University of Leicester, B.A., English, State University of New York, "Start loving yourself before you ask someone else to love you,", Undernourished children have long been India’s scourge—“a national shame,”. "If the quotation begins the sentence, the words telling who is speaking ... are set off with a comma unless the quotation ends with a question mark or an exclamation point. What Are Endnotes, Why Are They Needed, and How Are They Used? Make your writing more professional by using signal phrases correctly. Here are some example signal phrases: argues asserts believes claims comments disputes illustrates implies points out reports suggests thinks writes Punctuating signal phrases in a sentence is simple and straightforward. MLA uses signal phrases in the present tense, while APA uses past tense. Signal phrases usually come at the beginning of a sentence before the source material, but they can also occur in the middle of a source or at the end. You can see the difference in these examples: Before you decide on a signal phrase to use, consider its tone. "'Do you have any questions?' But when a quotation is interrupted by a signal phrase, the second part doesn't begin with a capital letter unless the second part is a new sentence. Consider these examples of varying the placement: Using a signal phrase helps avoid plagiarism by properly attributing information to the correct source. "(Paige Wilson and Teresa Ferster Glazier, The Least You Should Know About English: Writing Skills, 12th ed. Use signal phrase examples like “according to” and “indicates” to introduce quotes and paraphrased text in your writing. Cengage, 2015). ', "Notice that most of the previous quotations begin with a capital letter. With practice, your essays and academic writing will give credit to your sources with style and variety. If you’re in doubt, read it aloud to make sure it makes sense. However, a few select signal phrases contain no verbs (e.g., "According to … Signal Phrase Example Original Source:. General Signal Phrase Examples. Add variety and a professional tone to your writing by using a variety of signal phrases. Signal Phrases Like a blinking arrow sign on the side of a highway that tells drivers the right lane is closed up ahead, signal phrases in an academic essay notify your readers that quotes or paraphrases are approaching. Examples of How to Vary Signal Phrases Maya Angelou said, "Start loving yourself before you ask someone else to love you." Although a signal phrase most often appears before a quotation, the phrase may instead come after it or in the middle of it. Model Phrases. It's also called a quotative frame or a dialogue guide. Others show that the source did research to come up with a conclusion. Definition and Examples of Interrupting Phrases, Definition and Examples of Quotation in English Grammar, 100 Key Terms Used in the Study of Grammar, Guidelines for Using Quotation Marks Correctly. ... "'I didn't even know it was broken,' I said. Learn more about signal phrases and how to use them effectively in essays and papers with different style guides. The following signal phrases work in a variety of situations in your writing, whether you are quoting directly or paraphrasing: according to; acknowledges/acknowledged; adds/added; addresses/addressed; argues/argued; asserts/asserted; comments/commented; concedes/conceded; concludes/concluded; confirms/confirmed; contends/contended When you choose a phrase, make sure it matches the meaning you intend.