Eleanor Finch
The citation style for the Constitution of the United States varies depending on the style guide being used. For example, in APA style, the Bluebook is the recommended guide, whereas in MLA style, the citation differs slightly. In this guide, we will explore the various ways to cite the US Constitution in different styles and provide examples of in-text and works-cited citations. We will also discuss the specific format, including the use of abbreviations, article and amendment numbers, and relevant dates.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Where accessed | List where you accessed the Constitution in the Works Cited |
| Article and section numbers | Use article and section numbers in in-text citations |
| Roman numerals | Article and amendment numbers are given in Roman numerals |
| Arabic numerals | Section and clause numbers are given in Arabic numerals |
| State constitutions | Use the abbreviated name of the state |
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What You'll Learn
Citing the US Constitution in APA style
When citing the US Constitution in APA style, there are a few key guidelines to follow. Firstly, if you are simply making a passing reference to the US Constitution, you can mention it in the text without including a reference list entry. However, if you are using a specific part of the Constitution as evidence or support for your argument, you should construct a formal citation.
The APA recommends following The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation for legal materials. According to Bluebook Rule 11, which covers federal and state constitutions, all citations of the US Constitution should begin with "U.S. Const." followed by the relevant article, amendment, section, and/or clause numbers. The terms "article," "amendment," "section," and "clause" are abbreviated as "art.," "amend.," "§," and "cl.," respectively. Roman numerals are used for article and amendment numbers (e.g., I, II, III), while Arabic numerals are used for section and clause numbers (e.g., 1, 2, 3). For example, a citation might appear as "U.S. Const. amend. IV, § 2."
Additionally, when citing a provision that has been amended, include the date it was amended in parentheses, such as "U.S. Const. amend. XVIII (repealed 1933)." For parts of the Constitution that are currently in force, the Bluebook states that no date should be included.
It's important to note that the APA Publication Manual does not include specific guidance on citing constitutions. Therefore, if you need further clarification on legal citations, it is recommended to consult The Bluebook directly or seek guidance from a law librarian.
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Citing state constitutions
Citing a state constitution follows a similar format to citing the US Constitution, with some small differences.
Firstly, when citing a state constitution, you should cite the federal constitution by using either "U.S." or the abbreviated name of the state. For example, "Mass." for Massachusetts.
The basic form of the citation is as follows:
> Abbreviated name of Constitution art. Article number in Roman numerals. § Section number. Abbreviated name of Constitution amend. Amendment number in Roman numerals, § Section number. Abbreviated name of Constitution art. Article number in Roman numerals, pt. Part number in Roman numerals.
> Mass. Const. art. IX, pt. IV
Note that, as with citing the US Constitution, you should use the abbreviations "art." (Article), "amend." (Amendment), and "sec." (Section) as appropriate in your citations. Any Roman numerals should be converted to Arabic numerals (e.g., "IX" becomes "9").
In the Works Cited entry, be sure to list where you accessed the state constitution, and use article and section numbers in your in-text citations.
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MLA in-text citation
When citing the United States Constitution in MLA style, the in-text citation should include the title of the document ("Constitution"), along with the article and section being referenced. Use the abbreviations "art." (Article), "amend." (Amendment), and "sec." (Section) and convert any Roman numerals to Arabic numerals (e.g. ""XIV" becomes "14"). Here are some examples:
> As stated in the Constitution (Art. 1, Sec. 8), Congress has the power to regulate commerce.
>
> As written in the “Constitution of the United States” (art. 1, sec. 4), ...
If you are citing a specific amendment, you can format it as follows:
> U.S. Const. amend. XIV, § 2.
When citing a provision that has been amended, add the date it was amended in parentheses:
> U.S. Const. amend. XVIII (repealed 1933)
For state constitutions, use the abbreviated name of the state:
> N.C. Const.
>
> Ariz. Const.
In general, you should cite the specific pieces you are using instead of the whole document. When mentioning the Constitution in your paper, you can simply refer to it as "the Constitution" without using italics or quotation marks.
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MLA book citation
When citing a book in MLA format, there are a few key components that should always be included. These are:
- Author
- Title (italicized)
- Publisher
- Publication Year
The basic form of the citation is as follows:
> Last Name, First Name. Title (in italics). City of Publication, Publisher, Publication Date.
Note that the City of Publication should only be included if the book was published before 1900, if the publisher has offices in more than one country, or if the publisher is unknown.
If the book has multiple authors, their names should be listed in the order they appear on the cover, separated by commas, and an ampersand before the final author's name. For example:
> Harris, Muriel, and Gunnar Swanson.
If the book has more than two authors, you can list only the first author, followed by "et al." For example:
> Harris, Muriel, et al.
If the book has editors or translators, include their names in the citation after the book's title. For example:
> Latour, Bruno. Politics of Nature: How to Bring the Sciences into Democracy. Translated by Catherine Porter. Harvard UP, 2004.
If you are citing a specific chapter or essay within an edited book, the format is slightly different. Include the page range of the entry after the publisher and year. For example:
> Harris, Muriel. "Talk to Me: Engaging Reluctant Writers." A Tutor's Guide: Helping Writers One to One, edited by Ben Rafoth, Heinemann, 2000, pp. 24-34.
If the book is an electronic book (e-book), the citation format depends on how you accessed it. If you accessed it via a website or database, use the standard MLA book citation format, followed by the name of the website or database and a link to the book. If the book was accessed as a PDF, you may note this in your reference. If you downloaded it onto an e-reader, add "E-book ed." after the title.
For example:
> Alcott, Louisa May. Little Women. E-book ed., Barnes & Noble Classics, 2004. EPUB.
If you are citing a book available from a website, the website is the container and is included in the third position of the citation, in italics. For example:
> Doyle, Arthur Conan. “A Scandal in Bohemia.” The Complete Sherlock Holmes. Internet Archive, archive.org/details/deysayan844_gmail_Cano/mode/2up?ref=ol&view=theater&q=119.
If the book has no author, start the citation with the source title. Use a shortened version of the title in your in-text citation.
For example:
> Encyclopedia of Indiana. Somerset, 1993.
In-text citations for a book in MLA format include the author's last name and a page number in parentheses. For example:
> (Smith 25)
If the book has no page numbers, use an alternative locator such as a chapter number.
If you are citing the Constitution of the United States in MLA style, 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:
> ("Constitution of the United States," art. 1, sec. 4)
Use the abbreviations "art." (Article), "amend." (Amendment), and "sec." (Section) as appropriate in your citations, and convert any Roman numerals to Arabic numerals.
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MLA website citation
To cite a website in MLA format, you will need to include the following:
- Author's last name, followed by a comma and their first name.
- The title of the web page, in quotation marks.
- The title of the website, in italics.
- The date the content was published.
- The URL of the specific page you are citing.
The in-text citation should include the author's last name and, if necessary, a page number in parentheses. For example: (Smith 42). If the source does not have page numbers, you can use an alternative locator, such as a chapter number or timestamp.
If the source has no author, start with the source title. Use a shortened version of the title in your in-text citation and be sure to put it in quotation marks. If the source has no author and no date, begin the citation with the title and provide a descriptive label in place of the date, such as "n.d." (for "no date").
It is also good practice to keep a record of when you first consulted each online source, as web pages can change over time. MLA uses the phrase "Accessed" to denote the date you accessed the web page. This is not required but is encouraged, especially when there is no other date listed on the website.
Smith, John. "The Benefits of Yoga." Yoga Journal, 10 Oct. 2022, www.yogajournal.com/benefits-of-yoga. Accessed 1 May 2023.
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Frequently asked questions
The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation (18th ed., 2005; www.legalbluebook.com) sets the standard for all legal citations. All citations of the US Constitution begin with "U.S. Const.," followed by the article, amendment, section, and/or clause numbers as relevant.
In the in-text citation, use article/amendment and section numbers instead of page numbers. In the Works Cited entry, include information about where you accessed it. When mentioning the Constitution in your paper, you can generally just call it the Constitution without italicization or quotation marks.
Cite the federal constitution by "U.S." or the abbreviated name of the state, followed by "art." and the article number in Roman numerals, then "§" and the section number. For example, "Mass. Const. art. IX, pt. IV".
