Using Signal Phrases in Academic Writing

In academic writing, writers use a variety of methods to include outside source material. One of the most important methods is the use of signal phrases. A signal phrase helps the writer introduce source material through the use of a simple phrase or clause.  At a minimum, a signal phrase includes a subject (the speaker, writer, or title being cited) and a verb.  For example:

Craig Jones said, ....

The Center for Disease Control wrote, ...

Good signal phrases utilize strong active verbs to introduce source material and set the tone for the author’s position.

Common verbs include:

The goal of the academic writer is to use a variety of active verbs to craft successful signal phrases. However, it is important to ensure that the verb matches the context of the writing. For example, when introducing an opposing opinion to the thesis of your essay, it wouldn’t make sense to say “Craig Jones agrees.”

Instead, select a strong active verb that hints at the writer’s attitude or point of view. In the case of Craig’s article that opposes the thesis of your own essay, try something like “Craig Jones opposes” or “Craig Jones disagrees.”

Signal phrases are a way of introducing other voices into the "conversation" of your paper.  A quotation or paraphrase from an outside source that appears suddenly in your paper, without a signal phrase, is like someone jumping into an actual conversation without introducing themselves.   

Whether you are quoting, paraphrasing, or summarizing a source, signal phrase work the same way:

Quotation:  According to Target’s 2018 sales report, “....” 

Paraphrase:  Carl Johnson explains in his article, …

Summary:  In her novel, Beth Jackson implies, ...

Quotations, paraphrases, and summaries assist writers in supporting claims, providing analysis, and building arguments. However, the source material being used is not always enough to establish credibility. Often, the credentials of the person being cited needs to be mentioned to create ethos.  For example, compare the following two signal phrases:

Martha Giotti explains that “Writers must revise their work.”

Martha Giotti, author and Professor of Writing Studies at Duke University, explains that “Writers must revise their work.”

While both examples include signal phrases that introduce source material, only one includes information that builds credibility.

Beyond introducing source material and establishing credibility, signal phrases help academic writers avoid plagiarism. Any material used in the crafting of a piece of writing that does not originate from the author’s own mind must be cited, and signal phrases help writers introduce and cite sources.

It is important to remember that while mentioning the author’s name or source title is the first step in avoiding plagiarism, depending on your selected citation method (MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.), other information might be needed in the form of a parenthetical or in-text citation.