Attributive phrases use verbs in the present tense. Continually using writes or says to attribute quotes throughout a paper can give it a monotonous tone. To vary attributive phrases, you might consider verbs such as these:

adds	denies	relates
agrees	derides	reports
argues	disagrees	responds
asks	disputes	reveals
asserts	emphasizes	says
believes	explains	sees
claims	finds	shows
comments	holds	speculates
compares	illustrates	states
concedes	implies	suggests
concludes	insists	thinks
condemns	maintains	warns
considers	notes	writes
contends	observes
declares	points out
defends	rejects

Compiled from The Allyn & Bacon Handbook, 3^rd edition, p. 587.

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