Whether you are quoting, summarizing, or paraphrasing, you can use signal phrases to tell readers that you are about to introduce a source. Signal phrases usually contain the following:
- Author's Name
- Verb that indicates the author's attitude or approach
The table below shows a list of commonly used signal phrases:
Author is neutral
|
Author suggests
|
Author argues
|
Author agrees
|
Author disagrees
|
comments
describes
explains
writes
says
|
concludes
finds
predicts
suggests
supposes
|
claims
contends
defends
insists
maintains
|
admits
agrees
concedes
concurs
grants
|
complains
deplores
disagrees
laments
warns
|
Aaron, J.E. (2016). The little, brown compact handbook: Research and writing. Pearson Education Inc.