In academic writing, it’s essential to accurately integrate sources and give proper attribution when incorporating evidence from other scholars and researchers. Signal phrases allow you to smoothly blend this outside information with your own analysis and ideas.
What is the purpose of a signal phrase?
What is a signal phrase? A signal phrase is a brief phrase or clause that shows your reader where a piece of evidence is coming from. It acts as a signal, clearly attributing the information to a particular source.
Signal phrases serve two main purposes:
- They indicate that you are using someone else’s ideas, words, or findings, giving proper attribution and avoiding plagiarism.
- They provide context about the source and help your reader understand why that specific evidence is relevant and credible for making your point.
Properly using signal phrases creates a smooth flow between your own ideas and the evidence supporting them. This clarity strengthens your overall argument and shows readers that you can effectively analyze and synthesize source material.
How to use signal phrases
Once you’ve identified a relevant quote, theory, or study to include in your paper, a signal phrase allows you to smoothly integrate that source material. Signal phrases can be positioned at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence – varying their placement creates a sense of flow.
Using signal phrases effectively involves:
- Stating the author’s name or background of the study you are referencing
- Including an attributive verb like “argues,” “suggests,” or “according to”
- Presenting the specific quote or idea you want to incorporate
You may also choose to include details like the source’s title or the author’s credentials to establish their authority on the topic.
When using signal phrases, avoid misrepresenting the author’s intended meaning or stance. Your choice of signal phrase verbiage determines how accurately you characterize their position. For example:
- In his seminal text The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Joseph Campbell concedes that all myths derive from a single, earlier source myth.
- In his seminal text The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Joseph Campbell argues that all myths are variations originating from one primordial myth.
- Additionally, signal phrases allow you to contrast differing viewpoints using transition words like “however” or “although.”
Example of contrasting with signal phrases:
Literary critic Harold Bloom denounces theories that “connect the pleasures of solitary reading to the public good” (22). However, feminist and Marxist critics reject this notion, stressing instead the importance of…
Examples of signal phrases
| Function | Example sentence | Signal words and phrases |
|---|---|---|
| Propositional: The position is arguable rather than definitive, but the author isn’t necessarily responding to an existing debate. | Psychoanalyst Jacques Lacan posited that the unconscious mind has a structured linguistic basis. | Postulates, hypothesizes, theorizes, puts forth |
| Demonstrative: A positive or negative statement is made, which can be verified. | Rosalind Franklin’s X-ray imaging unequivocally revealed the double helix structure of DNA molecules. | Proves, demonstrates, shows, establishes |
| Argumentative: A position is taken for or against something, with the implication that the debate is ongoing. | Philosopher Thomas Nagel disputes the idea that subjective experiences can be fully explained by physicalist theories. | Argues against, challenges, contradicts, denies |
| Supportive: A position is taken in agreement with what came before. | Groundbreaking research at Fermilab has corroborated the existence of the Higgs boson particle. | Reinforces, substantiates, upholds, confirms |
| Demonstrative: A positive or negative statement is made which can be verified. | Though biographer Walter Isaacson concedes Steve Jobs’s personal flaws, he lauds Jobs’s vision at Apple. | Concedes, allows, grants, acknowledges |
| Neutral: You present the author’s position objectively, without forte or emphasis. | According to a recent Pew study, 54% of U.S. adults think artificial intelligence poses workforce risks. | Reports, observes, finds, states |
Signal phrases and citation styles
The appropriate tense for signal phrases often depends on the citation style. While some phrases like “according to” remain the same, those containing verbs must follow the prescribed tense for that style.
- In APA style, signal phrases typically use the past tense or present perfect tense.
- With MLA and Chicago styles, the present tense is required for signal phrases.
Examples in APA vs. MLA:
- APA Signal Phrases
- MLA Signal Phrases
Incorrect APA Example:
Psychologist Albert Bandura contends, “Learning would be exceedingly laborious if people had to rely solely on the effects of their own actions” (1977, p. 22).
Correct APA Example:
Psychologist Albert Bandura contended, “Learning would be exceedingly laborious if people had to rely solely on the effects of their own actions” (1977, p. 22).
Incorrect MLA Example:
In The Second Sex, Simone de Beauvoir has argued that “One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman” (1949, p. 293).
Correct MLA Example:
In The Second Sex, Simone de Beauvoir argues that “One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman” (293).
what is a signal statement
A signal statement is similar to a signal phrase but typically longer and more detailed. It might include additional context about the source or the author’s credentials.
For example: “In his widely acclaimed book ‘The Structure of Scientific Revolutions,’ philosopher of science Thomas Kuhn proposes that…”
What is the function of signal words and phrases?
Properly using signal phrases creates a smooth flow between your own ideas and the evidence supporting them. This clarity strengthens your overall argument and shows readers that you can effectively analyze and synthesize source material. The function of signal words and phrases is to guide the reader through your text, making connections between different ideas and sources clear.
what is a signal phrase in writing
In writing, a signal phrase means a phrase used to introduce a quote, paraphrase, or piece of information from another source. It helps readers understand where the information is coming from and how it relates to your argument or discussion.