Eleanor Finch
The preamble to the US Constitution is an introductory statement that outlines the purpose and guiding principles of the document. When citing the preamble specifically, it is important to understand the different citation styles, such as MLA, APA, and Chicago, and their unique requirements. While the exact formatting may vary, there are general guidelines to follow when citing the preamble or any part of the Constitution in academic writing. This includes considerations for in-text citations, reference lists, and specific constitutional sections.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Citing the whole constitution | Generally, you do not need to cite the whole constitution. Instead, refer to it in the text. |
| Citing specific parts | Include in-text citations and reference entries for specific articles, amendments, and/or sections. |
| Reference list entries and in-text citations | Both should be included for specific pieces of constitutions in MLA style. |
| Article and amendment numbers | Given in Roman numerals (I, II, III). |
| Section and clause numbers | Given in Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3). |
| State constitutions | Use the abbreviated name of the state: N.C. Const., Ariz. Const., etc. |
| Amended provisions | Add the date of amendment in parentheses, e.g., U.S. Const. amend. XVIII (repealed 1933). |
| Title formatting | Italicize the title when citing as a self-contained document in the Works Cited list, but do not italicize when referring to it in the paper. |
| Parenthetical citation | (Constitution) |
| Narrative citation | As written in the Constitution of the United States, article 3... |
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What You'll Learn
Citing the US Constitution preamble
When citing the US Constitution preamble in MLA format, there are a few key guidelines to follow. Firstly, it is important to note that when citing any part of the US Constitution, including the preamble, you should generally avoid citing the entire document. Instead, focus on citing the specific sections or articles that are relevant to your work.
When citing the US Constitution preamble in MLA format, you can follow these guidelines:
In-Text Citations
When referring to specific articles, amendments, or sections of the US Constitution preamble, use in-text citations. The MLA handbook suggests using the abbreviation "U.S. Const." followed by the article number in Roman numerals and the section number in Arabic numerals. For example: "The right to free speech is guaranteed by the First Amendment (U.S. Const. amend. I, § 1)."
Works Cited Entry
If you are using a printed or digital copy of the US Constitution, you should include a works-cited list entry. The format will depend on the specific source type, such as a book or a website. For example, if you are citing a website that contains the US Constitution preamble, follow the MLA format for a website, including the title of the webpage, the website name, the publication date, and the URL. Here is an example:
The Constitution of the United States: A Transcription. National Archives, U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, 4 May 2020, www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution-transcript.
Formatting and Capitalization
When writing about the US Constitution preamble in your text, use the standard formatting and capitalization rules for titles of legal works in MLA style. Do not italicize or place the title in quotation marks. Instead, treat it like the title of an e-book and use italics only in the works-cited list. In your paper, simply refer to it as "The Constitution" or "The US Constitution."
Additional Considerations
When citing the US Constitution preamble, keep in mind that the MLA style may vary slightly depending on the specific edition you are using (such as MLA 8 or MLA 9). Additionally, always remember to update your citations if the US Constitution has been amended. Include the date of the amendment in parentheses to indicate the most recent version.
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Using article, amendment and section numbers
When citing the US Constitution in MLA style, it is important to cite the specific pieces you are using instead of the whole document. In the in-text citation, use article/amendment and section numbers instead of page numbers. The title of the constitution should be in quotation marks in the in-text citation and in italics in the Works Cited entry. For in-text citations, provide the abbreviated name of the constitution, followed by the amendment or article number, and the section, like so:
> "Constitution of the United States," art. 1, sec. 4
Use the abbreviations "art." (Article), "amend." (Amendment), and "sec." (Section) as appropriate in your citations. Convert any Roman numerals used in the text to Arabic numerals (e.g. "XIV" becomes "14"). For state constitutions, use the abbreviated name of the state: "N.C. Const." or "Ariz. Const.". When citing a provision that has been amended, add the date it was amended in parentheses. For example:
> "N.C. Const." amend. 1 (repealed 2023)
It is important to note that each citation style has specific rules for referencing legal documents like the Constitution. 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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Converting Roman numerals to Arabic
When citing the US Constitution in MLA style, it is generally recommended to cite the specific pieces you are using, such as articles and amendments, instead of the whole document. 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). For example, the citation for an amended provision would include the date it was amended in parentheses: "U.S. Const. amend. XVIII (repealed 1933)".
Now, onto the topic of converting Roman numerals to Arabic numerals. This process can be done using various programming languages, such as Java. Here's an example of how to approach this conversion:
First, it's important to understand the basic values of Roman numerals. The symbols and their corresponding values are as follows: I = 1, V = 5, X = 10, L = 50, C = 100, D = 500, and M = 1000.
When converting more complex Roman numerals to Arabic, there are a few rules to consider. For example, if a smaller numeral comes before a larger numeral, you subtract the smaller from the larger. So, "IV" equals 4 because you subtract 1 (I) from 5 (V). On the other hand, if a larger numeral comes before a smaller one, you add their values together. So, "VI" equals 6 because you add 5 (V) and 1 (I).
When dealing with more elaborate Roman numerals, such as "XI", "CCC", or "IX", the process can become more intricate. In Java, one approach is to use a while loop or a combination of for loops to iterate through each character in the Roman numeral string and match it with the corresponding value. By comparing the current character with the previous one and applying the subtraction or addition rule, you can build the Arabic numeral equivalent.
Here's an example of Java code that converts Roman numerals to Arabic numerals:
Java
Import java.util.Scanner;
Public class RomanToArabic {
Public static void main(String[] args) {
Scanner keyboard = new Scanner(System.in);
Int[] numbers = {1000, 500, 100, 50, 10, 5, 1};
String symbols = "MDCLXVI";
System.out.print("Enter a Roman numeral: ");
String roman = keyboard.next();
Roman = roman.toUpperCase();
If (!roman.matches("[M|D|C|L|X|V|I]*")) {
System.out.println("Invalid input. Please enter a valid Roman numeral.");
Return;
}
Int arabic = 0;
For (int i = 0; i < roman.length(); i++) {
Char letter = roman.charAt(i);
Int number = 0;
Switch (letter) {
Case 'I':
Number = 1;
Break;
Case 'V':
Number = 5;
Break;
Case 'X':
Number = 10;
Break;
// Add more cases for other Roman numerals
Default:
System.out.println("Invalid Roman numeral input.");
Return;
}
If (i > 0) {
Char previousLetter = roman.charAt(i - 1);
Int previousNumber = numbers[symbols.indexOf(previousLetter)];
If (number > previousNumber) {
Arabic -= 2 * previousNumber; // Subtract previous number twice
}
Arabic += number;
} else {
Arabic += number;
}
}
System.out.println("Arabic equivalent: " + arabic);
}
}
In this code, the program takes user input for a Roman numeral, converts it to uppercase, and then iterates through each character, converting it to its Arabic numeral equivalent. The `switch` statement can be expanded to include all the Roman numerals and their values. The program also handles cases where the input is invalid or not a Roman numeral.
Remember, when dealing with more complex Roman numerals, there may be additional rules and exceptions to consider. The provided code is a basic example, and more sophisticated algorithms can be developed to handle all possible cases.
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Citing a specific state constitution
When citing a specific state constitution in MLA format, there are a few key guidelines to follow. Firstly, it is generally recommended to cite specific pieces or provisions within the constitution rather than the whole document. This involves indicating the specific article, amendment, section, and/or clause numbers that are relevant to your reference. The terms "article," "amendment," "section," and "clause" are abbreviated as "art.," "amend.," "§," and "cl.," respectively. These abbreviations are followed by the relevant numbers, with article and amendment numbers in Roman numerals (I, II, III) and section and clause numbers in Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3). For example, "Mass. Const. art. IX, § 4, cl. 2" refers to Article IX, Section 4, Clause 2 of the Massachusetts State Constitution.
Additionally, when citing a state constitution in MLA format, use the abbreviated name of the state, such as "Mass. Const." or "Ariz. Const." rather than writing out the full name. This style is consistent with the MLA guideline for citing legal sources, where the titles of legal works should be standardized and abbreviated where possible.
It is also important to note that when citing a provision that has been amended or repealed, you should include the date of the amendment or repeal in parentheses. For example, "Mass. Const. art. IX, § 4, cl. 2 (amended 2023)." However, if the provision is currently in force, there is no need to include a date.
In terms of formatting, MLA style requires both reference list entries and in-text citations for specific pieces of constitutions. The formatting for these citations is generally consistent between the reference list and the in-text citations. For example, an in-text citation might look like "(Mass. Const. art. IX, § 4, cl. 2)" or "As stated in Article IX, Section 4, Clause 2 of the Massachusetts State Constitution."
Overall, citing a specific state constitution in MLA format involves using standardized abbreviations, indicating relevant article, amendment, section, and clause numbers, and providing dates for any amended or repealed provisions. By following these guidelines, you can ensure your citations are accurate and conform to MLA standards.
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Referencing the whole document
When referencing the whole document of the US Constitution in MLA style, there are a few key guidelines to follow. Firstly, it is important to note that you don't generally need to include a citation for the entire document in your reference list or works-cited list. This is because the US Constitution is considered a well-known and commonly accessible document. Instead, you can simply refer to the Constitution within the text of your paper. For example, you can write: "As stated in the US Constitution..." or "According to the US Constitution, Article 3..."
However, if you are citing a specific part of the Constitution, such as a particular article, amendment, or section, you must include in-text citations and reference list entries. Article and amendment numbers should be given in Roman numerals (I, II, III), while section and clause numbers should be in Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3). For example, your in-text citation could look like this: (US Const. art. III) or (US Const. amend. IV).
Additionally, when referring to the Constitution as a document within your paper, use the title "The Constitution of the United States" and italicize it as you would the title of an ebook. However, when mentioning it in your text, do not italicize the title. For example, "The Constitution of the United States guarantees certain rights..."
It's worth noting that different styles, such as APA and Chicago, have their own rules for referencing the Constitution. While MLA focuses on in-text citations and narrative citations, APA and Chicago styles may suggest indicating the Constitution in the text without a formal citation. Always remember to be consistent in your choice of style and follow the specific guidelines provided by your instructor or institution.
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Frequently asked questions
When citing the preamble of the US Constitution in MLA format, you should generally only include in-text citations and reference entries when referring to specific articles, amendments, or sections. If you are citing the preamble specifically, follow the standard MLA format for titles of laws, and do not italicize or enclose the title in quotes.
No, you do not need to include the US Constitution in your bibliography or works cited list when using MLA format. It is considered a well-known document, so you should only refer to it in the text of your paper.
Article and amendment numbers should be written out using Roman numerals (I, II, III), while section and clause numbers should be written out using Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3).
