Signal Phrase:  a phrase, clause, or even sentence which leads into a quotation or statistic.  These generally include the speaker/author’s name and some justification for using him or her as an expert in this context; it may also help establish the context for the quotation.

Model Signal Phrases:

         In the words of researchers Redelmeier and Tibshirani, “…”

As Matt Sundeen has noted, “…”

 Patti Pena, mother of a child killed by a driver distracted by a cell phone, points out that “…”

 “…” writes Christine Haughney, “…”

 “…” claims wireless spokesperson Annette Jacobs.

Radio hosts Tom and Ray Magliozzi offer a persuasive counterargument:  “…”

Verbs in Signal Phrases