Question

What functions do signal phrases have when you include information from sources in your writing?
Select all that apply.
They can include background information to establish context and credibility.
1. They signal that you will be starting a new paragraph.
2. They introduce a quotation.
3. They introduce the main idea of your essay.
4. They are placed at the end of quoted passages to identify the author and page number of
a source.

Answer 1

Correct choices:
- They can include background information to establish context and credibility.
- 2. They introduce a quotation.

Brief explanation: Signal phrases identify or introduce a source (author, role, credentials) and help integrate quotations or paraphrases into your prose. They do not indicate paragraph breaks, they don’t introduce your essay’s main idea, and they are not the same as end-of-quote citations (those are parenthetical or footnote citations).