Signal Phrases Introducing Quotes

What’s a signal phrase? A phrase that leads into a quote or paraphrase Requires: Speaker/author’s name and title of the piece Indication as to why they are considered reliable Power verb *Possibly* Context of the quote/paraphrase Example: Sarah Smith, New York Times columnist and author of “Using Signal Phrases,” explains, “The best way to introduce a quote is to use a signal phrase.”

Why do I need a signal phrase? Shows your audience you are introducing an outside source Prevents “drop quotes” A sentence can never be just a quote Proves you found your evidence from a reliable source Ensures you no longer need parenthetical citations

A signal phrase is not An entire sentence The quote itself Anything in parentheses

Requirements: Speaker/author’s name and title of the piece Full name Indicate any important title they hold: Dr. Johnson John Johnson, Ph. D Senator Johnson President Johnson Title of the article, book etc. “Articles are in quotation marks” Long works like books or newspapers are in italics

REQUIREMENT: INDICATION AS TO WHY THEY ARE CONSIDERED RELIABLE Any important job title Dr. Robert Campbell… What source they write for Robert Campbell, author for the New York Times Life experience Robert Campbell, a lawyer with 20 years of experience…

Requirements: Power Verb List

Example: Speaker/author’s name and title of the piece Indication as to why they are considered reliable Power verb Sarah Smith, New York Times columnist and author of “Using Signal Phrases,” asserts that, “The best way to introduce a quote is to use a signal phrase.”

Possible requirement: Necessary when explaining a quote from the middle of a story (the audience needs to know what action is going on in the story) OR A statement made under specific circumstances

Example with context for a story: Speaker/author’s name and title of the piece Indication as to why they are considered reliable Power verb Context In To Kill a Mockingbird Atticus gives his closing argument to the jury responsible for the verdict of Tom Robinson’s trial, and he pleads, “In the name of God, do your duty.”

Example with context for specific circumstances: Speaker/author’s name and title of the piece Indication as to why they are considered reliable Power verb Context When speaking at the 2017 Convention for Gardeners, Charlie Beach, renowned butterfly expert, explains, “Gardens with milkweed and at least six colors of flowers will attract a plethora of species.”

Example Speaker/author’s name and title of the piece Indication as to why they are considered reliable Power verb Context Kanye West, Grammy award- winning songwriter and rapper, shares his opinion about the results of the Video Music Awards by insisting, “Beyoncé has one of the best videos of all time!”

Outlines of Types of Signal Phrases Author, author of “Title,” power verb, “Quote.” “Title,” an article/book/etc by Author, power verb, “Quote.” “Quote,” power verb author in “Title.”

Articles Articles may have interviews If you are using a quote from something someone other than the author said, you must include the person who said the quote AND who the author of the article is

Stories Quotes said by a character must give the character credit

Write your own! Use info from one of your hero articles