Isabella Carter
Citing the United States Constitution in academic writing requires adhering to the guidelines set by the Modern Language Association (MLA). The citation style depends on whether you're referencing an online or print version of the Constitution. When citing the Constitution in the body of your text, always capitalise the C in Constitution. In-text citations should include article/amendment and section numbers instead of page numbers, using the abbreviations art. (Article), amend. (Amendment), and sec. (Section). For example, (Constitution of the United States, art. 1, sec. 4). For the Works Cited entry, include the title of the document (the Constitution), the article and section being referenced, and the publication details.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Title of the document | The Constitution |
| Article and section being referenced | Yes |
| Publication details | Yes |
| Use of "Constitution" in text | Generally, use "Constitution" without italics or quotation marks |
| In-text citation | Use article/amendment and section numbers instead of page numbers |
| Abbreviations | Use "art." for Article, "amend." for Amendment, and "sec." for Section |
| Numerals | Convert Roman numerals to Arabic numerals (e.g., "XIV" becomes "14") |
| Date accessed | Optional, but recommended for frequently changing pages or those without a copyright/publication date |
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What You'll Learn
Cite specific pieces
When citing a specific piece of the Constitution, it is important to include the article and section numbers in your in-text citation, instead of page numbers. For example, ("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, e.g. "N.C. Const." or "Ariz. Const." When citing a provision that has been amended, include the date it was amended in parentheses, e.g., "U.S. Const. amend. XVIII (repealed 1933)".
In your Works Cited entry, include the title of the document ("The Constitution"), the article and section being referenced, and the publication details. For example, the citation for an online version of the Constitution might look like this:
"Constitution of the United States: A Transcription." When mentioning the Constitution in your paper, you can generally just call it "the Constitution" without using italics or quotation marks. However, if you are citing a specific edition of the Constitution in book form, write the title of the book in italics and list any editors, annotators, or other main contributors to that edition.
Additionally, always specify the version cited in your parenthetical citation to match the first words of your Works Cited entry. For example, as stated in "The Constitution of the United States: A Transcription."
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Use art. for Article
When citing the US Constitution in MLA style, use the abbreviation "art." for "Article". 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 correct format for citing Article 1, Section 4 of the Constitution would be ("Constitution of the United States," art. 1, sec. 4).
When citing a specific article of the Constitution, include the article and section numbers in your in-text citation, rather than page numbers. For example, if you are citing Article 1, Section 4, your in-text citation would look like this: (Constitution, art. 1, sec. 4).
Additionally, when citing the Constitution, be sure to include information about where you accessed it in your Works Cited entry. This could include the name of the database, DOI, or URL, depending on the format in which you accessed the Constitution.
If you are citing a state constitution, use the abbreviated name of the state followed by "Const." For example, "N.C. Const." or "Ariz. Const.".
Keep in mind that MLA style has specific guidelines for citing artwork as well. When citing a work of art in MLA style, begin with the artist's name and italicize the title of the work. For example:
Van Gogh, Vincent. Night Café. 1889, Yale University Gallery, New Haven.
If the artist is unknown, start with the title of the work. You can omit the city if it is already included in the museum or collection name. Optionally, you can include the format of the artwork at the end of the entry (e.g. Marble sculpture, Photograph, Oil on canvas).
For images found in a book, begin the citation with the artist's name, title of the work, and other relevant information, followed by the bibliographic information for the source in which the image appears, including page or reference numbers.
By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "art." for "Article" when citing the Constitution and artwork in MLA style.
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Use sec. for Section
When citing the United States Constitution in MLA style, use "art." for Article, "amend." for Amendment, and "sec." for Section. For example, a citation might appear as follows: ("Constitution of the United States," art. 1, sec. 4).
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 instance, "XIV" should be written as "14."
When citing a specific provision that has been amended, include the date it was amended in parentheses. For example, "U.S. Const. amend. XVIII (repealed 1933)."
In the in-text citation, use article/amendment and section numbers instead of page numbers. For example, ("Constitution, art. 1, sec. 4). In the Works Cited entry, include information about where you accessed the document.
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Include where accessed
When citing the Constitution in MLA style, it is important to include information about where you accessed it in the Works Cited entry. This is because the Works Cited list is meant to provide readers with all the information they need to locate your sources.
The specific format for including the access location will vary depending on where you accessed the Constitution. For example, if you accessed it on a website, your citation will include the URL of the website. Here is an example of what this might look like:
"United States, Congress, House, Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act. Government Publishing Office, 17 Apr. 2012, www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CHRG-111hhrg50208/html/CHRG-111hhrg50208.htm. 112th Congress, 2nd Session, House Report 112-445. Accessed 22 Oct. 2019."
Note that the URL of the website is included at the end of the citation.
On the other hand, if you accessed the Constitution in book form, your citation will look different. You will include the title of the book in italics, followed by the list of editors, annotators, or other main contributors. Here is an example of what this might look like:
The Constitution of the United States: A Transcription, edited by John Doe, University of ABC Press, 2023.
In this example, the book title is in italics, and the contributor's name and publisher are included.
It is worth noting that the date of access is optional in MLA 8th/9th edition. However, it is recommended to include it for pages that may change frequently or that do not have a copyright or publication date.
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Capitalise C in Constitution
The capitalisation of the "C" in "Constitution" depends on the style guide being used and the country whose constitution is being referenced.
Technically, "constitution" is not a proper noun, so it shouldn't be capitalised. However, American reverence for their political system has led to the capitalisation of the "C" in "Constitution" when referring to the US Constitution. This is reflected in the media style guides of American publications.
Other countries may have different conventions, and it is worth checking the relevant style guide for the country whose constitution is being discussed.
When citing the US Constitution in MLA style, the "C" in "Constitution" is capitalised. The abbreviation "U.S." is also used, and article, amendment, and section numbers are used in in-text citations instead of page numbers. For example, ("Constitution of the United States," art. 1, sec. 4). If citing a book version of the Constitution, the title of the book is written in italics, and editors or contributors are listed after the title. The Works Cited entry should include information about where the Constitution was accessed.
It is important to note that the adjective "constitutional" is not capitalised, so the phrase "federal constitutional law" would be written with a lowercase "c" in "constitutional".
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Frequently asked questions
Always capitalise the "C" in Constitution. 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”).
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.
Generally, you don't cite the whole Constitution, but specific pieces. 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).
The format of dates is: Day Month (shortened) Year. E.g. 5 Sept. 2012. Whether to give the year alone or include a month and day depends on your source: write the full date as you find it there. If no date is listed, omit it unless you can find that information available in a reliable source.
