{"id":335,"date":"2025-09-15T13:42:48","date_gmt":"2025-09-15T13:42:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/professionalandtechnicalcommunication\/chapter\/13-6-integrating-information-from-sources\/"},"modified":"2026-03-16T14:19:48","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T14:19:48","slug":"13-6-integrating-information-from-sources","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/professionalandtechnicalcommunication\/chapter\/13-6-integrating-information-from-sources\/","title":{"raw":"13.6 Integrating Information from Sources","rendered":"13.6 Integrating Information from Sources"},"content":{"raw":"
\n

Incorporating information from sources involves more than simply inserting quotations, paraphrasing, or a summary and including a bibliographic entry in your document. Introducing context for the information and integrating the information into your own sentences also forms a critical aspect of using sources successfully.<\/p>\n\n

Signal Phrases<\/h2>\n

Academic writing requires the use of\u00a0signal phrases\u00a0(or attributive tags) to properly document quoted, paraphrased, and summarized material. In APA, signal phrases require the use of the author\u2019s last name and a strong verb. These phrases may also emphasize different types of information related to the source, such as the source\u2019s title or publisher, to further contextualize and guide your reader\u2019s response to the cited material.<\/p>\n\n

Using Strong Verbs in Signal Phrases<\/h3>\n

To avoid repetition, you will want to vary your vocabulary. Rather than simply using \u201cstates\u201d back-to-back throughout your entire document, offer a more specific verb that signals to the reader just how you are using the source. See Table 13.1 below for examples of strong signal-phrase verbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Table 13.1 Strong Signal-Phrase Verbs<\/caption>\n
\n

Acknowledges<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

Counters<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

Notes<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Admits<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Declares<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Observes<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Agrees<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Denies<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Points out<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Argues<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Disputes<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Reasons<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Asserts<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Emphasizes<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Refutes<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Believes<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Finds<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Rejects<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Claims<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Illustrates<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Reports<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Compares<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Implies<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Responds<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Confirms<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Insists<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Suggests<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Comments<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Maintains<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Thinks<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Contends<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Mentions<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Writes<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Signal phrases provide the audience with valuable insight into how you, the writer, intend the quoted material to be understood. In addition to setting up how you use the source and its reliability, signal phrases can also be used as meaningful transitions moving your readers between your ideas and those of your support.<\/p>\n

While providing the <\/a>author credentials is the most common type of signal phrase, there are others you should be aware of. Table 13.2 below offers examples of common types of signal phrases and why you might use them in a document.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Table 13.2 Common Signal Phrases<\/caption>\n
\n

Type of Signal Phrase<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

Purpose<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

Example<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

The author\u2019s credentials are indicated.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Build credibility for the passage you are about to present.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Grace Chapmen, Curator of Human Health & Evolutionary Medicine at the Springfield Natural History Museum, explains\u2026<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

The author\u2019s lack of credentials is indicated.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Illustrates a lack of the source\u2019s authority on the subject matter and persuades the audience not to adopt the author\u2019s ideas. Pointing to an author\u2019s lack of credentials can be beneficial when developing your response to counterarguments.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Matthew Smythe, whose background is in marriage counseling and not foreign policy, claims\u2026<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Author\u2019s social or political stance, if necessary to the content, is explained.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Helps a reader to understand why the author expresses a particular view. This understanding can positively or negatively influence an audience.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Employing nonviolent civil disobedience, Roland Hayes, prominent civil rights activist, preaches\u2026<\/p>\n

Richard Spencer, who takes credit for the term \u201calt-right,\u201d denies\u2026<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Publisher of the source is identified.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Reinforces the credibility of the information presented by utilizing the reputation and credibility of the publisher of the source material.<\/p>\n

Note<\/strong>: When only referencing the publisher, make sure to include a parenthetical in-text citation identifying the author (or title, if no author is available) at the end of the cited material.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

According to a recent Gallup poll\u2026<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

The title of the source is included.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Informs the reader where the cited passage is being pulled from. This is especially useful if the author has multiple publications or if the publication is particularly well-known.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

In \u201cUnderstanding Human Behavior,\u201d Riley argues\u2026<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Information that establishes context is presented.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Clarifies the author\u2019s purpose. Offers more information on the original circumstances for the quotation.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

In a speech presented during the Boston Free Speech Rally, Elaine Wallace encourages\u2026<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

This section is <\/span>derived<\/span> from Using Sources in Your Document <\/span><\/a>in Howdy or Hello? Technical and Professional Communication<\/span><\/a>\u00a0Copyright \u00a9 2022 by\u00a0Matt McKinney, Kalani Pattison, Sarah LeMire, Kathy Anders, and Nicole Hagstrom-Schmidt\u00a0is licensed under a\u00a0Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License<\/span><\/a>, except where otherwise noted.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>","rendered":"

\n

Incorporating information from sources involves more than simply inserting quotations, paraphrasing, or a summary and including a bibliographic entry in your document. Introducing context for the information and integrating the information into your own sentences also forms a critical aspect of using sources successfully.<\/p>\n

Signal Phrases<\/h2>\n

Academic writing requires the use of\u00a0signal phrases\u00a0(or attributive tags) to properly document quoted, paraphrased, and summarized material. In APA, signal phrases require the use of the author\u2019s last name and a strong verb. These phrases may also emphasize different types of information related to the source, such as the source\u2019s title or publisher, to further contextualize and guide your reader\u2019s response to the cited material.<\/p>\n

Using Strong Verbs in Signal Phrases<\/h3>\n

To avoid repetition, you will want to vary your vocabulary. Rather than simply using \u201cstates\u201d back-to-back throughout your entire document, offer a more specific verb that signals to the reader just how you are using the source. See Table 13.1 below for examples of strong signal-phrase verbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Table 13.1 Strong Signal-Phrase Verbs<\/caption>\n
\n

Acknowledges<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

Counters<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

Notes<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Admits<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Declares<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Observes<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Agrees<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Denies<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Points out<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Argues<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Disputes<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Reasons<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Asserts<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Emphasizes<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Refutes<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Believes<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Finds<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Rejects<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Claims<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Illustrates<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Reports<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Compares<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Implies<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Responds<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Confirms<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Insists<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Suggests<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Comments<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Maintains<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Thinks<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Contends<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Mentions<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Writes<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Signal phrases provide the audience with valuable insight into how you, the writer, intend the quoted material to be understood. In addition to setting up how you use the source and its reliability, signal phrases can also be used as meaningful transitions moving your readers between your ideas and those of your support.<\/p>\n

While providing the <\/a>author credentials is the most common type of signal phrase, there are others you should be aware of. Table 13.2 below offers examples of common types of signal phrases and why you might use them in a document.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Table 13.2 Common Signal Phrases<\/caption>\n
\n

Type of Signal Phrase<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

Purpose<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

Example<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

The author\u2019s credentials are indicated.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Build credibility for the passage you are about to present.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Grace Chapmen, Curator of Human Health & Evolutionary Medicine at the Springfield Natural History Museum, explains\u2026<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

The author\u2019s lack of credentials is indicated.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Illustrates a lack of the source\u2019s authority on the subject matter and persuades the audience not to adopt the author\u2019s ideas. Pointing to an author\u2019s lack of credentials can be beneficial when developing your response to counterarguments.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Matthew Smythe, whose background is in marriage counseling and not foreign policy, claims\u2026<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Author\u2019s social or political stance, if necessary to the content, is explained.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Helps a reader to understand why the author expresses a particular view. This understanding can positively or negatively influence an audience.<\/p>\n

\n<\/td>\n

\n

Employing nonviolent civil disobedience, Roland Hayes, prominent civil rights activist, preaches\u2026<\/p>\n

Richard Spencer, who takes credit for the term \u201calt-right,\u201d denies\u2026<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Publisher of the source is identified.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Reinforces the credibility of the information presented by utilizing the reputation and credibility of the publisher of the source material.<\/p>\n

Note<\/strong>: When only referencing the publisher, make sure to include a parenthetical in-text citation identifying the author (or title, if no author is available) at the end of the cited material.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

According to a recent Gallup poll\u2026<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

The title of the source is included.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Informs the reader where the cited passage is being pulled from. This is especially useful if the author has multiple publications or if the publication is particularly well-known.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

In \u201cUnderstanding Human Behavior,\u201d Riley argues\u2026<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Information that establishes context is presented.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Clarifies the author\u2019s purpose. Offers more information on the original circumstances for the quotation.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

In a speech presented during the Boston Free Speech Rally, Elaine Wallace encourages\u2026<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

This section is <\/span>derived<\/span> from Using Sources in Your Document <\/span><\/a>in Howdy or Hello? Technical and Professional Communication<\/span><\/a>\u00a0Copyright \u00a9 2022 by\u00a0Matt McKinney, Kalani Pattison, Sarah LeMire, Kathy Anders, and Nicole Hagstrom-Schmidt\u00a0is licensed under a\u00a0Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License<\/span><\/a>, except where otherwise noted.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"menu_order":9,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-335","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":318,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/professionalandtechnicalcommunication\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/335","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/professionalandtechnicalcommunication\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/professionalandtechnicalcommunication\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/professionalandtechnicalcommunication\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/professionalandtechnicalcommunication\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/335\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":336,"href":"https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/professionalandtechnicalcommunication\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/335\/revisions\/336"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/professionalandtechnicalcommunication\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/318"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/professionalandtechnicalcommunication\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/335\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/professionalandtechnicalcommunication\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=335"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/professionalandtechnicalcommunication\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=335"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/professionalandtechnicalcommunication\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=335"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/libraryresources.nse.org.ng\/professionalandtechnicalcommunication\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=335"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}