Eleanor Finch
Citing specific clauses of the Constitution in MLA style is crucial for students and academics in the humanities, especially in languages and literature. The Modern Language Association's (MLA) citation style emphasizes the authorship of the work. When citing a specific clause of the Constitution in MLA style, it is essential to follow the guidelines set by the association. This includes using the abbreviations art. for Article, amend. for Amendment, and sec. for Section, along with Arabic numerals for section and clause numbers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| In-text citation | Use article/amendment and section numbers instead of page numbers. Use "art." for Article, "amend." for Amendment, and "sec." for Section. Convert Roman numerals to Arabic numerals. |
| Work Cited entry | Include the title of the document, the article and section being referenced, and the publication details. Include information about where you accessed it. |
| Referencing | Always capitalise the "C" in Constitution. |
| Abbreviations | Use "U.S. Const." for the U.S. Constitution and "Ariz. Const." for the Arizona Constitution. |
| Amended provisions | Add the date it was amended in parentheses. |
| Date format | Day Month (shortened) Year, e.g. 5 Sept. 2012. |
| Author | Cite the author of the publication if identified. Otherwise, start with the name of the national government, followed by the agency. |
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What You'll Learn
Citing a print version
When citing a specific clause or amendment from a print version of the United States Constitution, the Modern Language Association (MLA) style is a common format to follow. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to create an MLA citation for a clause of the Constitution:
Begin with the name of the document: "U.S. Constitution." This is the title of the source and should be italicized. Follow the title with a period.
Next, indicate the specific clause or amendment you are citing. Use the standard name or title of the clause, such as "First Amendment" or "Establishment Clause." Place a comma after the clause name. If you are citing a specific section within an article, you can include it here, for example, "Article II, Section 2, Clause 2."
Provide the date of the document. Since the Constitution was enacted in 1789, this is the date you would include in your citation. Follow the date with a period. For example: "U.S. Constitution, First Amendment, 1789."
Now, specify the version of the print source you are using. If you are citing a print version of the U.S. Code, which contains the text of the Constitution, indicate this by adding "Printed in U.S. Code" followed by a comma. You can also specify other print versions, such as a particular book or collection of documents, by providing the title and a comma.
Finally, include the publication information. This could be the publisher and publication date of the print version you are using. If you are citing a specific volume or edition, include those details as well. For example, your complete citation might look like this: "U.S. Constitution, First Amendment, 1789. Printed in U.S. Code, Government Publishing Office, 2018."
Remember to consult the most recent MLA guidelines or style manuals for any updates or additional instructions when citing legal documents. This guide provides a basic structure for citing a clause of the Constitution in MLA style, ensuring that your readers can easily locate the source and understand the context of your references.
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Using in-text citations
When citing a clause of the Constitution in MLA style, it is important to follow the guidelines set by the Modern Language Association. Here are some detailed instructions for in-text citations:
Firstly, when referring to the Constitution in your text, you should generally write it as "Constitution" without any italics or quotation marks. However, always capitalize the "C" in Constitution. For example, "As noted in the Constitution (Art. 1, Sec. 8), Congress has the power to regulate commerce."
Secondly, use the appropriate abbreviations in your in-text citations. Use "art." for Article, "amend." for Amendment, and "sec." for Section. For example, "As stated in the Constitution (“Constitution of the United States,” art. 1, sec. 4)." Note that you should convert any Roman numerals used in the original text to Arabic numerals. So, "XIV" becomes "14".
Thirdly, when citing a specific clause, article, or amendment, include the relevant numbers in your in-text citation instead of page numbers. For example, "According to Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution..." or "The Fourth Amendment of the Constitution states that..."
Additionally, if you are citing a print version of the Constitution, you should indicate where you accessed it in your Works Cited entry. This is because the formatting and page numbers may vary between different print versions.
Finally, when citing a provision that has been amended, be sure to add the date it was amended in parentheses. For example, "U.S. Const. amend. XVIII (repealed 1933)". This is important for both reference entries and in-text citations.
By following these guidelines, you can effectively cite specific clauses, articles, and amendments of the Constitution in your academic writing using MLA style.
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Referencing style guides
When referencing the Constitution in MLA style, it is important to follow the specific guidelines to ensure proper academic integrity and credibility. Here is a detailed guide on how to structure your references:
In-Text Citations
When citing specific clauses, articles, or amendments of the Constitution, use the abbreviations "art." (Article), "amend." (Amendment), and "sec." (Section) along with their respective numbers. For example, ("Constitution of the United States," art. 1, sec. 4). Convert any Roman numerals used in the text to Arabic numerals (e.g., "XIV" becomes "14").
If you are referencing an online or electronic version of the Constitution, include information about where you accessed it and any relevant details in the Works Cited entry.
Works Cited Entry
For the Works Cited entry, the title of the Constitution should be in italics. Provide the title of the book in italics if you are citing a published book version of the Constitution, and list any editors or contributors. For example, "The Constitution of the United States: A Transcription."
When citing state constitutions, use the abbreviated name of the state followed by the relevant article, section, or amendment information. For example, "Mass. Const. art. IX, pt. IV."
General Guidelines
Each citation style, such as MLA, APA, or Chicago, has its own specific rules for referencing legal documents. Therefore, it is important to adhere closely to the guidelines to demonstrate attention to detail and respect for academic standards.
Additionally, always cite the specific pieces of the Constitution you are using instead of the entire document. When mentioning the Constitution in your paper, you can generally refer to it as “the Constitution" without the need for italics or quotation marks.
For congressional documents, be sure to include the Congress number, session details, and report number. The date of access is optional but recommended for frequently changing pages or those without a fixed date.
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Understanding AOA
The acronym "AOA" can refer to a wide range of topics, depending on the context. Here is an in-depth look at some of the most common meanings of AOA:
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The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) is a professional organisation that represents over 197,000 osteopathic physicians and medical students. The AOA promotes the unique philosophy and practice of osteopathic medicine. It holds influence in the world of medicine, especially concerning health policy and physician reimbursement. The organisation also offers research grants and funding opportunities for osteopathic doctors and students.
Articles of Association
Articles of Association (AOA) are essential documents that outline the rules, regulations, and bylaws governing a company's internal management and conduct. They act as a "rulebook" for the company, providing regulations on various aspects such as shareholder rights, director qualifications, and the binding effect of contracts. The AOA is subordinate to the Memorandum of Association, which serves as the "Constitution" of the company. All subscribers must sign the AOA, and their personal details, such as name, occupation, and address, must be included.
Airport Operators Association
The Airport Operators Association (AOA) is a trade association for airport operators in the United Kingdom. It represents and promotes the interests of UK airport operators, ensuring their voices are heard in the aviation industry.
Angle of Attack
AOA stands for Angle of Attack in the context of aviation. It refers to the angle formed between the chord line of an aircraft's wing and the vector representing the relative motion between the aircraft and the atmosphere. This angle is crucial in aerodynamics and aircraft performance.
Analysis of Alternatives
Analysis of Alternatives (AOA) is a trade study method used by the Department of Defense. It involves evaluating different options or alternatives to make informed decisions.
Understanding the specific context and field in which AOA is being used is essential to interpreting its meaning accurately.
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Documenting legal works
When documenting legal works in MLA style, it is important to follow the MLA format template to cite laws, public documents, court cases, and other related material. Here are some detailed guidelines on how to do this:
Citing Laws and Documents
When citing laws, acts, and political documents, treat them as titles and capitalize their names. Set the names of laws and similar documents in roman font. Italicize the names of court cases. For example: *Marbury v. Madison*.
Citing Online Sources
When a legal source is contained within another work, such as a website with a separate title, treat the source as an independent publication. Style the title as you would in prose—in italics if it is the name of a court case, in roman font if it is a law or similar document. Do not use quotation marks around the title. For example: *United States Code*. Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School, www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text.
Citing Specific Sections
When referring to a specific section of a legal document, such as the United States Code, it is clearest to create an entry for the entire document and then cite the title and section number in the text. This is especially useful if you are referring to multiple sections of the code. For example, to cite Title 17, Section 304 of the United States Code, you can use the common abbreviation: 17 U.S.C.
Citing Government Authors
When citing a government document, start with the name of the national government, followed by the agency or subdivision that serves as the organizational author. For congressional documents, include the Congress number, session, and report number. US government documents are typically published by the Government Printing Office. Here is an example:
> United States, Congress. Public Law 104-191, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. govinfo.gov, 1996. U.S. Government Printing Office, https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/PLAW-104publ191.
Citing the Constitution
When citing a specific clause of the Constitution of the United States in MLA style, use article/amendment and section numbers instead of page numbers. Convert any Roman numerals to Arabic numerals. For example: ("Constitution of the United States," art. 1, sec. 4). When mentioning the Constitution in your text, you can simply refer to it as the "Constitution" without using italics or quotation marks.
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Frequently asked questions
Use "Art." for Article, "Amend." for Amendment, and "Sec." for Section in your citations. For example: ("Constitution of the United States," Art. 1, Sec. 4).
Always capitalize the "C" in Constitution when referring to it in the body of your text.
Include the title of the document (the Constitution), the article and section being referenced, and the publication details. If you accessed the Constitution online, include information about where you accessed it.
