Legal Definitions - No signal

Definition: No signal is when you use a source in your writing without letting your reader know why it's important. This means you mention the source, like a book or website, but you don't explain how it supports your argument. In academic writing, you only use no signal if you're directly quoting the source, restating a claim or piece of data from the source, or referencing the source informally to give more information about where it can be found.

Example 1: According to a study, people who exercise regularly are healthier.

In this example, there is no signal to show why the study is important. The writer needs to add a signal to explain how the study supports their argument.

Example 2: "People who exercise regularly have lower rates of heart disease," says a study published in the Journal of Medicine.

In this example, the writer is directly quoting the study, so no signal is needed.

Example 3: In a recent article on WebMD, it was reported that exercise can improve mental health.

In this example, the writer is referencing the source informally to give more information about where the information can be found, so no signal is needed.