signal phrase

plural signal phrases

1. An indication that something is a paraphrase or direct quote.

   "Smith suggests that..." and "In Smith's words..." are both signal phrases.

   1 more example

   Introduce the material being cited with a signal phrase, usually the authors name, and use a parenthetical citation stating the page number of the sentence.

   1993, Sheila Cooper, Rosemary Patton, Ergo: Thinking Critically and Writing Logically, page 220

2. A phrase that signals a particular meaning or stance.

   To identify an opinion, look for signal phrases such as “I think,” “I consider,” “I'm convinced,” “I guess,” “I believe,” or “I feel.”

   1996, Mary Ann Christensen, Interpreting Literature & the Arts, page 76