Malcolm Rivera
Citing a constitutional amendment accurately in MLA style is crucial for students and academics in the humanities, especially in languages and literature. Proper citation gives credit to the original source, helps readers locate the original documents for reference, and maintains academic integrity. When citing a constitutional amendment in MLA style, you should include the specific article or amendment along with the section numbers, if applicable. The title of the constitution should be in italics in the Works Cited entry, and for in-text citations, the article, amendment, and section numbers should be included.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Title of the Constitution | Italicized in the Works Cited entry |
| Article, Amendment, Section Numbers | Included in in-text citations |
| Roman Numerals | Converted to Arabic numerals |
| Access Information | Included in the Works Cited entry |
| Capitalization | "C" in Constitution capitalized in print version |
| Abbreviations | "art." for Article, "amend." for Amendment, "sec." for Section |
| Bibliography Entry | Not required for Chicago-style |
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What You'll Learn
Italicise the title of the constitution in the Works Cited entry
When citing the Constitution in MLA style, it is important to include information about where you accessed it in the Works Cited entry. In the in-text citation, use article/amendment and section numbers instead of page numbers. For example, if you want to use MLA style to document title 17, section 304, of the United States Code—commonly abbreviated as 17 U.S.C. § 304 in legal citations—title 17 can be treated as the work and thus placed in the “Title of source” slot on the MLA template.
The Constitution has also been published in book form in various editions. To cite one of these, write the title of the book in italics and list any editors, annotators, or other main contributors to the edition after the title. However, when mentioning the Constitution in your paper, you can generally just call it the Constitution without italicization or quotation marks. In the parenthetical citation, you should specify the version cited to match the first words of the Works Cited entry.
If you are citing the Constitution as a whole and not a specific part, you do not need to include a citation in your bibliography or Works Cited list. This is because it is considered a well-known document. However, if you are citing a specific part, follow the format depending on the style guide you are using. For example, in MLA style, the in-text citation should include the title of the constitution in quotation marks along with the article, amendment, and section numbers. The title of the constitution should be italicized in the Works Cited entry.
It is important to note that each citation style has specific rules for referencing legal documents like the Constitution, so adhering to these guidelines demonstrates attention to detail and respect for academic standards. Proper citation gives credit to the original source, helps readers locate the original documents, and enhances the credibility and reliability of your work.
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Capitalise the C in Constitution in the body text
When citing the United States Constitution in MLA style, it is important to pay attention to the formatting guidelines. While the general rule is to use MLA capitalization style, there are specific considerations for citing the Constitution.
Firstly, when referring to the Constitution in the body of your text, it is indeed correct to capitalise the "C". This is a standard convention when mentioning the Constitution in your paper. For example, "The Constitution grants certain rights...".
However, when it comes to the in-text citation, the approach varies depending on the context. If you are citing a specific article or amendment, use the abbreviations "art." (for "Article"), "amend." (for "Amendment"), and "sec." (for "Section"). For example, ("Constitution of the United States," art. 1, sec. 4). Note that any Roman numerals should be converted to Arabic numerals.
On the other hand, if you are simply referring to the Constitution as a whole without referencing a specific section, you can just use the word "Constitution" without any italics or quotation marks. For example, "As stated in the Constitution,...".
Finally, in the Works Cited entry, the title of the Constitution should be in italics, followed by the relevant publication details, including where you accessed it. For example, "Constitution of the United States." Remember to specify the version or edition if there are multiple publications of the Constitution.
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Use Art. for Article, Amend. for Amendment, and Sec. for Section
When citing a constitutional amendment in MLA style, it is important to use the correct abbreviations and formats to ensure clarity and consistency. Here are some detailed guidelines and examples to help you cite amendments accurately:
Use "Art." for Article, "Amend." for Amendment, and "Sec." for Section:
These abbreviations are used in MLA citations to represent "Article", "Amendment", and "Section", respectively. For example, when citing a specific article, you would use "Art." followed by the article number. For instance, "Art. 1, Sec. 4" refers to Article 1, Section 4. Similarly, when citing an amendment, use "Amend." followed by the amendment number. For example, "Amend. XIV" refers to Amendment 14. Always use Arabic numerals instead of Roman numerals in your citations.
In-Text Citations:
When citing a specific article, amendment, or section of the Constitution in the body of your text, use the appropriate abbreviations and numbers. For example: ("Constitution of the United States," Art. 1, Sec. 4). You can also simply use "Constitution" without quotation marks or italics when mentioning it in your text, specifying the version cited in the parenthetical citation.
Works Cited Entry:
For the Works Cited entry, include the title of the document ("Constitution"), the specific article and section being referenced, and the publication details, including where you accessed it. The title of the Constitution should be in italics, and you should include information about the specific version or edition you are citing. For example: "Constitution of the United States: A Transcription," Art. 1, Sec. 4. Web. Accessed 15 April 2025.
Print and Online Versions:
The format for citing the Constitution may vary depending on whether you are citing a print or online version. For a print version, always capitalize the "C" in "Constitution" when referring to it in your text. For an online version, include the URL and access date in your citation.
State Constitutions:
When citing state constitutions, include the name of the state, followed by the relevant article, amendment, or section information. For example: ("New York Constitution," Art. 7, Sec. 2).
By following these guidelines and using the appropriate abbreviations, you can accurately cite constitutional amendments in MLA style, ensuring proper credit to the source and providing clear references for your readers.
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Convert Roman numerals to Arabic numerals
When citing a constitutional amendment in MLA style, it is important to include specific information in your citation. Firstly, use the abbreviations "art." for "Article", “amend.” for "Amendment", and “sec.” for "Section". For example, instead of writing "Amendment XIV", you should write “amend. 14". This involves converting any Roman numerals used in the text to Arabic numerals.
Roman numerals have been used for over 2,000 years, dating back to ancient Rome, where they were used for counting, record-keeping, trade, commerce, legal documentation, and architectural inscriptions. Today, Roman numerals are still used for their aesthetic appeal, historical significance, and cultural resonance. For example, they are often used in numerical outlines in documents, presentations, and academic papers. They also frequently appear in areas such as education, media, monuments, cornerstones, and grandfather clocks.
While Roman numerals have been integral in various contexts, Arabic numerals are more commonly used today for mathematics and data due to their compactness and better suitability for arithmetic operations. Arabic numerals are more efficient for calculations, whereas Roman numerals are symbolic and additive. For instance, the number 1999 is represented in Arabic numerals as 1,999, which is more concise and easier to work with in mathematical equations.
Converting Roman numerals to Arabic numerals can be done using a simple conversion process. The basic symbols used in Roman numerals are I, V, X, L, C, D, and M, each representing a different value. For example, I represents 1, V represents 5, and X represents 10. To convert Roman numerals to Arabic numerals, you can use a Roman numeral converter tool, which allows you to enter a number in either format and instantly see the equivalent in the other format. This is especially useful for larger numbers or when you need a quick reference.
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Include the name of the state when citing state constitutions
When citing a state constitution in MLA style, it is important to include the name of the state. This is because, when referencing legal documents like constitutions, adhering to specific guidelines demonstrates attention to detail and respect for academic standards. The correct citation helps avoid misinterpretation and lends credibility to your work.
In addition to the state name, the specific article, amendment, or clause referenced should be included in the citation, along with section numbers, if applicable. For example, if you are citing the California State Constitution, Article 1, Section 4, your in-text citation might look like this: ("California Constitution,", art. 1, sec. 4). Note the use of the abbreviations "art." for article, "amend." for amendment, and "sec." for section.
It is also important to include information about where you accessed the state constitution, such as the URL if accessed online, in the Works Cited entry. If the state constitution has been published in book form, you would cite it like a book, writing the title in italics and listing any editors or contributors.
Remember, the country of origin should be specified if it is not indicated in the title. For example, "France. Le Constitution, 4 Oct. 1958, www.legifrance.gouv.fr/...". This ensures that readers can easily locate the referenced sections.
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Frequently asked questions
In MLA style, citing a constitutional amendment involves mentioning the specific amendment along with the section numbers, if applicable. Use the abbreviations "art." (Article), "amend." (Amendment), and "sec." (Section) as appropriate in your citations.
For in-text citations, provide the title of the constitution in quotation marks along with the article, amendment, and section numbers. For example, ("Constitution of the United States," amend. 1, sec. 4).
The title of the constitution should be in italics in the Works Cited entry. The citation should include the title of the document, the article and section being referenced, and the publication details. Also, list where you accessed the constitution.
