Leadins and Signal Phrases Using Direct Quotations What

Lead-ins and Signal Phrases Using Direct Quotations

What are Lead-Ins? Lead-ins, also called signal phrases and tag lines, introduce direct quotations in a research paper. u They can appear at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of the direct quotation from an outside source. u They are generally set off with a comma or commas depending upon their location in the sentence. u

Parenthetical/In-text Citations These citations indicate the source of the direct quotation. u They appear inside parentheses at the end of the borrowed material. u They include the source’s author’s last name and page number(s). u If there is no author, then they use the article title inside quotation marks and the page number(s). u

Parnethetical/In-Text Citations (cont’d. ) u Place a period after the last parenthesis to indicate the end of the sentence. u The exception to this punctuation placement is in the longer block indented quotation in which the period is placed BEFORE the parentheses.

1. Samples of Lead-ins u According to Jane Doe, “. . . ” (#). u In the words of researcher Jane Doe, “. . . ” (#). u As biologist Jane Doe puts it, “. . . ” (#). u Jane Doe points out that “. . . ” (#) # = page number(s) on which the source material can be found

2. Samples of Lead-ins u Jane Doe, well-known scientist, argues that “. . . ” (#). u Jane Doe, a professor at X University, admits that “. . . ” (#). u Jane Doe has concluded that “. . . ” (#). u Jane Doe reports that “. . . ” (#). u Jane Doe writes that “. . . ” (#).

3. Samples of Lead-ins u Jane Doe stated in an interview that “. . . ” (#). u “. . . , ” remarks Jane Doe, “. . . ” (#). u “. . . , ” claims attorney Jane Doe (#). u Jane Doe offers an intriguing argument for this view: “. . . ” (#).

Block indented quotations u Jane Doe’s conclusions are somewhat questionable. Consider, for example, the following passage: Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah. (23 -24)

Some Exceptions For INTERNET SOURCES u It is not necessary to list any page numbers for electronic sources including databases and web pages. u Use only the author’s last name or article title inside quotation marks.

CREDITS Prepared for ENG 101, ENG 102, and ENG 109 u Sarah Dye, Professor u March 2004 u