Signal Phrases for In-text Citations

When writing a paper, it is critical that you provide a citation to show where you have included
any outside research. To accomplish this, you can use a signal phrase to indicate work being
discussed comes from an outside source.

Commonly Used Signal Phrases

according to
acknowledges
adds
admits
agrees
analyzes
argues
confirms
contradicts
declares
defines
demonstrates
denies
describes

discusses
disputes
documents
estimates
explains
hypothesizes
insists
in the words of
notes
observes
presents
proposes
proves
recommends

rejects
remarks
replies
reports
reveals
says
shows
states
suggests
supports
theorizes
thinks
verifies
writes

Signal Phrase/Internal Citation Examples

Ken Mueller, longtime media professional, claims, If youre not online, you dont exist.
National Geographic contributor John Smith notes, travel in the desert can be challenging for even
the most experienced survivalist.
"Frilled lizards are frightening when they unfurl their flaps," explains reptile expert Raven Blunt.
Boyd and Nelson describe that social network sites stand out in the hiring industry.