SIP Format
Signal PhrasesBefore any chunk of information (one of more sentences), introduce sources to readers using signal phrases. A signal phrase turns the valve on and lets readers know that information has now started "flowing." This creates a boundary between your own ideas (taking credit) and source ideas (giving credit).
Typically, a signal phrase will include the author and title, but often times it is best to emphasize the valuable/credible aspects of the source instead.
|
STICKY SIGNAL PHRASES: An effective signal phrase doesn't just tell us where information comes from; it prepares us, as readers, to believe/remember/listen more closely to the information. Emphasizing the strength of the source is akin laying down a string of glue that the information can stick to.
Samples:
Samples:
- According to a 2022 study published by the University of Washington chemistry department...
- So-and-so, a pediatric doctor who has worked in their field for 17 years, explained how...
- In a recent article published by National Geographic, journalist So-and-so reported that...
- This is confirmed by the most recent data collected by Pew Research Center regarding...
Keep in mind!
GO FOR VARIETY & FLOW!
- It's okay to mix things up with ISP instead of SIP when it flows smoothly.
- Use many different signal phrases within a piece of writing, rather than over-doing a favorite like "According to..."
- Read out loud to ensure you've composed a complete/smooth sentence. See a "choppy" example below:
- To quote Dr. Joanna Mosser, who graduated from Yale with a Ph.D. in Political Science, has found in her fifteen years as an educator that... should be Dr. JoAnna Mosser, who graduated from Yale with a Ph.D. in Political Science, has found in her fifteen years as an educator that...
- For source titles, use "quotation marks" or italics. Which ones? "Quotes for minor titles such as articles" and Italics for major titles such as films or books. *Unsure? Google search to see how others deal with the title in their writing.
- For names, use a full name when you first introduce someone, and then use just the last name throughout.
- Also: "It" does not say, and "the article" does not say :) The author does.
- After the signal phrase, if the chunk of information is lengthy, give readers some little reminders about who gets credit for the ideas using follow up signals like "So-and-so also notes how..."
- If you refer to a source multiple separate times within the same paragraph, page, or entire essay, provide a detailed signal phrase the first time you introduce the source to readers. After that, use your best judgment to re-introduce the source to readers.
- For example, in the same paragraph you might try a phrase such as "The author also believes" or "this same study showed." Pages later, you might need to help readers a bit more with a signal phrase like "This relates to what Smith, the author of "Blah, blah, blah," discovered in his research. While he believed that..."
- There is no need for page numbers or time signatures in your signal phrases; those will go in the parentheses where readers can follow up on the source if they're interested in that level of detail.