Skip to Main Content

DP Core Class: Signal Phrases & Language of Analysis

This guide contains resources for our DP Core class.

Using Attributions and In-Text Citations

MLA Style

"MLA-style in-text citations include the author's name and exact page reference" (Palmquist 262). However, if as in the example above, the author of the source is clearly identified in the body, then only the page number appears at the end of the sentence in the quotation

Attributions and signal phrases

In the example above, the verb which serves to attribute the source is "reiterates". Note that it is in the present tense which is recommended in MLA style. Some (but by no means all) attributions include:

according to claims expresses reports
acknowledges comments inquires says
affirms confirms interprets states
alleges declares muses suggests
asks denies notes thinks
asserts describes observes wonders
assumes disputes points out writes
believes emphasizes remarks reiterates

Palmquist, Mike. The Bedford Researcher, 5th ed., Bedford/St. Martin's, 2015.

Transitions

Introducing Standard Views

Introducing Ongoing Debate

Disagreeing With Reasons

Introducing Your Rebuttal

Introducing What an Author Says

Explaining a Quotation

Backing Up Your Argument With Proof

Establishing Why Your Claims Matter