(MLA) Signal Phrases

Signal Phrases

Signal phrases let your reader know that you are quoting or summarizing from another source.

Examples:

In the words of researchers Redelmeier and Tibshirani, " . . . "

As Matt Sundeen has noted, " . . . "

Patti Pena, mother of a child killed by a driver distracted by a cell phone, points out that " . . . "

" . . . " writes Christine Haughtney.

" . . . " claims wireless spokesperson Annette Jacobs.

Taken from the Bedford Handbook (583)

Verbs in Signal Phrases

acknowledges adds admits agrees argues asserts believes claims

comments compares confirms contends declares denies disputes emphasizes

endorses       grants illustrates implies insists notes observes points out

reasons refutes rejects reports responds suggests thinks writes