How to Use Signal Phrases in Your Essays
Finding research is only part of the process of essay writing; merging your quotes requires a crafty signal phrase!
If your essay feedback has phrases like “no context” or “dropped quote.” You may need to up your game on how to merge your research into your essay. The signal phrase is your solution!
Let’s consider you have been assigned an essay on the topic of sandwich meats. You have located a great article by a research names O. Meyer and you want to use this article in your essay.
Here are three easy solutions to merging your research with your own analysis, transitions, and ideas by using signal phrases:
- Make them thorough. Open with the who and where. Something like this will work:
- A research article in Religious Journal of Processed Foods by O. Meyer confirms that, “Bologna is a staple food both here on earth and likely in heaven and should be trusted” (2007, p. 14).
- Note that the who and the where are there to give context to the “what.”
- Note also that, since you mention the author in the signal phrase, you don’t need to list it in the parenthetical citation again.
- Keep it simple. Simply note the author and his/her qualification to add value to your essay. Something like this works in a simple form:
- Noted researcher O. Meyer writes that, “The favorite bologna on earth as well as likely in heaven has a first name; it is spelled ‘oscar'” (2007, p. 8).
- Your reference page will include the author, title, and location of your quote.
- Use them everywhere. Each time you insert research, whether it’s through quotes, summaries, or paraphrases, include a signal phrase. This simple phrase merges each item of research. Worded well, the signal phrase give both context and a sense of veracity to your essay.
Keep writing well!