For this reason, it’s a good idea to read the final draft of a piece of writing with an eye toward its transitions and signposts, to make sure that they support and clarify your argument. Summarize it briefly, but you don’t need to mention the earlier section.Įarly drafts of an essay are likely to include some extra signposting, because you may be developing and revising the essay’s structure as you write. ” If the point has been well made, your reader will remember it. Keep things interesting for your readers by switching up the language and placement of your signal phrases.

“ As I argued in the previous section, the symbolism of the white whale. ” If you’ve signposted your essay’s structure at its beginning, you don’t have to give directions throughout. “ I will now turn to the pulpit of Father Mapple. ” Skip the wordy opening lead with “In this passage. “ What I want to call attention to in this passage. “ It’s important to note that Melville’s treatment. Here are some signposts that may do more harm than good: Using signposts can improve your writing by giving it structure and direction, but excessive signposting creates unnecessary wordiness and can give the impression that you don’t trust the reader’s ability to follow your argument or that you’re grafting signposts on to compensate for a poorly articulated argument. Always be sure to consult your prompt to follow the acceptable formatting style. Signposts that identify the sequence or direction of your argument can also be effective: for example, first, next, then, finally or first, second, third, and so on. APA format uses past tense verbs, while MLA uses present tense for signal verbs. However should be used to pivot to an opposing idea or to acknowledge another side of an argument, and consequently indicates that an idea is a result or consequence of a previously discussed idea or point. 408) CBE/CSE uses the present perfect tense (has said) and. But make sure to use these words correctly. Verbs Used in MLA Style Signal Phrases (adapted from Diana Hackers Rules for Writers 5th ed., p. Single words and short phrases can be useful signposts, such as additionally, consequently, however, also, in contrast. ” This signpost clarifies the stakes of the author’s argument. “My purpose in focusing on Queequeg’s coffin. ” This signpost clarifies how the author’s focus is distinguished from previous scholarship. “After a review of recent scholarship on biblical symbolism, I consider how Melville relates funerary symbolism to both death and rebirth. ” This signpost states the focus of the essay. “This essay examines biblical symbolism in Moby-Dick. Here are some examples of helpful signposts: Signposting will flag the most important parts of an argument, signal transitions, and clarify the stakes of an argument. If you introduce the cited material with a signal phrase (including the author’s last name within the sentence), omit the surname from the parentheses. Signposts are words or phrases that help articulate the structure of a piece of writing and ensure that readers don’t get lost. Example: This psychological phenomenon has been previously demonstrated (Smith 178-85).

Mla signal phrases examples