Eleanor Finch
The US Constitution is a key document in the country's legal framework and is often referenced in legal and academic contexts. When writing about the Constitution, it is important to provide proper citations to ensure academic integrity and enable readers to locate the source. The citation style can vary depending on the formatting guidelines, such as APA, MLA, or Chicago style. This variation in citation styles raises the question of whether a footnote is necessary when referencing the US Constitution. Understanding the requirements for footnotes and citations is essential for anyone writing about the US Constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| APA style | Requires reference list entries and in-text citations |
| MLA style | Requires reference list entries and in-text citations |
| Chicago style | Requires footnote citations; no bibliography needed |
| Bluebook style | Cite the United States federal constitution by "U.S. Const." |
| Basic form | Abbreviated name of Constitution art. Article number in Roman numerals. § Section number. |
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What You'll Learn
When to use a footnote
Footnotes are a crucial tool for providing additional context, sources, or explanations in a document without disrupting the flow of the main text. They are particularly useful when you need to include detailed information that may be supplementary to your main points. Here are some scenarios where using a footnote is appropriate:
- Citing Sources: One of the most common uses of footnotes is to cite sources and references. When you directly quote or paraphrase ideas from a source, such as the US Constitution, you need to provide a citation to give credit to the original author or source of information. Footnotes are an effective way to do this without interrupting the main text. For example, in Chicago style, you would use a footnote for in-text citations of the US Constitution.
- Additional Information: Footnotes can be used to provide additional information or context that supports your arguments or statements in the main text. This could include definitions, explanations, or interesting but non-essential facts that enhance the reader's understanding.
- Legal Documents: When using legal documents as references, footnotes are often employed to provide specific citations. In the Chicago style, for instance, it is recommended to use footnotes when dealing with several legal documents, ensuring that the narrative flow of the text is maintained.
- Multiple Citations: If you are citing multiple sources or references within a single sentence or paragraph, using footnotes can help you avoid a cluttered appearance in the main text. Footnotes allow you to provide a concise in-text indication of the source while moving the full citation details to the bottom of the page.
- Clarifications and Corrections: Footnotes can be used to clarify or correct information presented in the main text. For instance, if you need to explain a potential ambiguity or provide an updated piece of information, a footnote allows you to do so without disrupting the flow of the main content.
- Style and Formatting Requirements: Different writing styles and formatting guidelines may specify the use of footnotes. For example, when citing the US Constitution, the Bluebook rules specify a particular citation method, including the use of footnotes.
In summary, footnotes are a versatile tool that helps enhance the readability of your document and provides a means to include supplementary information, citations, and clarifications. They are an essential element of academic and professional writing, ensuring the integrity of your work and providing additional context for interested readers.
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Chicago style footnotes
When using Chicago style footnotes for the US Constitution, there are a few key guidelines to follow. Firstly, according to Chicago style, government documents may be authored by an individual or the name of the agency that created the document. If there is no known author, the citation should start with the title of the document.
For the US Constitution, the standard format for the first footnote or endnote is:
> US Constitution, art. X, sec. Y, cl. Z
For example:
> US Constitution, art. 2, sec. 1, cl. 3
This format includes the article, section, and clause numbers to specify the referenced portion of the document.
It is important to note that the US Constitution is typically not cited in the bibliography, reference list, or works cited list. Instead, it is only cited in the footnotes or within the text of the paper. This is because the US Constitution is considered a widely known legal document.
When citing a specific amendment to the US Constitution, the format is as follows:
> US Constitution, amend. XIV, sec. 2
This format includes the amendment number, followed by the section and clause if needed.
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APA and MLA in-text citations
When citing the US Constitution in an academic paper, you will need to include in-text citations and reference list entries. The style you choose—such as APA or MLA—will dictate the specific formatting.
In-text citations for the US Constitution in APA and MLA styles should include article/amendment and section numbers. For example, in MLA style, a citation of the US Constitution might look like this:
> "As stated in the Constitution (“Constitution of the United States,” art. 1, sec. 4)..."
Note the use of "art." for "Article", "amend." for "Amendment", and "sec." for "Section". Also, note that in MLA style, you should use Arabic numerals (e.g. 1, 2, 3) instead of Roman numerals.
If you are citing a provision that has been amended, be sure to include the date it was amended in parentheses. For example, in APA or MLA style, this would look like:
> U.S. Const. amend. XVIII (repealed 1933)
The formatting for reference list entries is generally the same as for in-text citations in both styles.
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Citing foreign constitutions
The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation is the standard guide for legal citations, and it is recommended that this be consulted directly for further guidance on citing the US Constitution. The Bluebook also covers how authors should cite from treaties, and the formation of the citation is based on whether the USA is a party to the treaty.
When citing foreign constitutions, Rule 11 of the Bluebook states that you cannot use a short cite other than "Id." for constitutions. All foreign constitutions should be cited by name.
For the US Constitution, the basic form is:
> U.S. Const. art. [Article number in Roman numerals] § [Section number]
For example:
> U.S. Const. art. I, § 9, cl. 2
If citing a specific amendment, use the following form:
> U.S. Const. amend. [Amendment number in Roman numerals] § [Section number]
For example:
> U.S. Const. amend. XIV, § 2
Note that the terms "article," "amendment," "section," and "clause" are always abbreviated as "art.," "amend.," "§," and "cl.," respectively. Preamble is abbreviated as "pmbl." Article and amendment numbers are given in Roman numerals (I, II, III), while section and clause numbers are given in Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3).
If referring to a part of the Constitution that has been repealed or amended, include the year that the part in question was repealed or amended in parentheses. For parts of the Constitution currently in force, do not include a date.
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Bluebook rules for citations
The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation is used in the American legal profession for citation of all relevant sources. It is a style guide that prescribes how to cite a variety of legal documents. The Bluebook isn't always clear, and there are too many rules to cover in an introductory guide. However, it is an essential resource for law students and professionals.
- Citing the US Constitution: When citing the US Constitution, use "U.S. Const." followed by the relevant article, section, and clause. For example: "U.S. Const. art. IV, § 1" refers to Article IV, Section 1 of the US Constitution, also known as the Full Faith and Credit Clause.
- State Constitutions: When citing state constitutions, use the abbreviated state name followed by "Const." and the relevant article, section, and clause. For example, "Tex. Const. art. 9, § 1, cl. 2" refers to the Texas Constitution, Article 9, Section 1, Clause 2.
- Capitalization and Typeface: When citing subdivisions and names of the US Constitution, use capital letters and regular typeface. For state constitutions, do not use capital letters and use regular typeface.
- Short Forms: According to Rule 11, do not use a short form other than "id." when citing constitutions. Only abbreviate words in Tables 10 and 16 when the citation is used in a footnote. If referring to the constitution in a textual sentence, write out the full citation or refer to the provision by name.
- Amended or Repealed Sections: When citing a section of the constitution that has been amended or repealed, note the date of that change in parentheses at the end of the citation. For example: "U.S. Const. amend. XVIII (repealed 1933)".
- Citing Specific Pages: When referencing a specific page within a case, separate the page reference with a comma. For example, if the case starts on page 100, but you want to highlight a statement on page 106, the citation would be "100, 106".
- Short-Form Citations for Cases: When using a short-form citation for a case, you may shorten the case name to the first party or an abbreviated form of that party's title. Avoid using a short-form citation if the first party is a governmental entity, geographical unit, or similar.
These rules provide a guide to citing the US Constitution and state constitutions using The Bluebook. It is important to consult the latest edition of The Bluebook for the most up-to-date and comprehensive guidelines.
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Frequently asked questions
No, you don't need a footnote for the US Constitution in APA style. Instead, you should use an in-text citation inside the sentence where you reference or quote the Constitution.
Similar to APA, MLA style requires an in-text citation inside the sentence where you reference or quote the Constitution. You also need to know the amendment, section, article, or clause for your citation.
Yes, Chicago style requires a footnote citation for the US Constitution. You can add a footnote by placing your cursor at the end of the sentence and using your word processing software to insert a footnote.
Your footnote should include "U.S. Constitution" and the relevant "amend." number in Roman numerals. For example, "U.S. Constitution, amend. 1".
