Integrating Quotations: Signals You Must Know 

Here is a technique that all good research writers use: Signal your source. Signal your commentary. This technique helps you avoid the single most common problem when using sources in papers: the failure to make a clear distinction between what belongs to you and what belongs to your sources. The failure to make that distinction can lead to the charge of plagiarism.

Here is another important reason to signal your source and signal your commentary: The signals help your paper to flow more smoothly and to be more convincing.

Since your sources can only support your points (not make them for you), the signals help the reader see exactly how the experts support your arguments.

Signal Your Source

Whether you are quoting from a source or summarizing information from it in your own words, signaling your source means to introduce it:

When it comes to hiring, the teaching profession offers a decent outlook. According to the U.S. Department
of Labor (2010), "Job opportunities for teachers over the next 10 years will vary from good to excellent, depending on the locality, grade level, and subject taught." 

The quotation is preceded by the signal phrase "According to the U.S. Department of Labor." This signal phrase clearly says to your reader: Here is an expert source to back up what I just said! 

Signal Verbs (Keep this list handy):
Your sources can: address, admit, analyze, believe, confess, confirm, contribute, critique, debate, debunk, defend, define, discover, disprove, establish, evaluate, examine, extend, finish, formulate, identify, prepare, propose, question, recommend, reiterate, report, suggest, think, urge--and a lot of other things. Examples:

A report by Richard Rodderick defends the practice of xenotransplantation by pointing to the 97 lives saved during one year in California.

A report by Richard Rodderick recommends the practice of xenotransplantation, pointing to the 97 lives saved during one year in California by the procedure.

A report by Richard Rodderick establishes a baseline of successful xenotransplantation cases with 97 lives saved during one year in California by the procedure.

Signal Your Commentary

After you have signaled your source and cited it, you have one more task as a research writer: Now you must comment on the source you just used. The comment that you make allows you to transition to your next point or source and to further integrate the quotation with your own thoughts and words. The comment should provide a clear connection between the source and the point you are making.

The follow-up comment also serves as the second of two brackets at either end of your source. Here are the two brackets in red, with the source sandwiched between:

Integrating Sources Video 
If you experience problems playing the video, try copying and pasting this URL in a new browser window:
https://youtu.be/rfvxKRH0KmU