
When citing the US Constitution in Turabian style, it is important to note that it should only be cited in parenthetical or in-text citations and not included in the reference list or bibliography. In the in-text citation, you should include key source information such as the article or amendment, section, and clause if relevant. For example, The U.S. Constitution, in Article 1, Section 9, forbids... or The First Amendment.... This guide is based on the Turabian citation style outlined in the manual A Manual For Writers, which provides specific instructions for citing legal documents like the US Constitution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Where to cite | Only in notes or parenthetical citations |
| Bibliography inclusion | Omit from the bibliography |
| What to include in the citation | Article or amendment, section, and if relevant, clause |
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What You'll Learn
- Parenthetical citations: Cite the US Constitution in parenthesis with key source information
- Bibliography: The US Constitution does not need to be included in the bibliography
- Notes: The US Constitution should be cited in notes, including article, amendment, section, and clause
- Abbreviations: Learn when and how to use abbreviations in citations
- Dates: Understand how to cite dates, including when they are missing

Parenthetical citations: Cite the US Constitution in parenthesis with key source information
When citing the US Constitution in Turabian style, it is important to note that it should be cited as a parenthetical citation only and not included in the reference list or bibliography. This is because it is considered a source that can be omitted from a bibliography, along with other sources such as newspaper articles, abstracts, and legal cases.
To create a parenthetical citation for the US Constitution, include key source information next to the reference to that source in parentheses. For example, if you are referencing a specific article and section within the Constitution, your in-text citation would look like this: (The U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 9, forbids...). Here, the specific article and section numbers are included, providing the necessary detail for the reader to locate the referenced section of the US Constitution.
Another example of a parenthetical citation for the US Constitution could be: (The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution...). In this case, the reference is specifically to the First Amendment, so it is important to include this detail in the citation. By specifying "First Amendment," the reader can easily identify the relevant portion of the Constitution being discussed.
It is important to spell out all terms in the parenthetical citation, as shown in the examples above. This ensures clarity and adheres to the Turabian citation style guidelines. Additionally, if you need further clarification or have a more complex reference, you can consult the Turabian manual, specifically Section 18.3, for additional guidance on parenthetical citations.
In summary, when citing the US Constitution in Turabian style, use only parenthetical citations with key source information. This information could include specific articles, sections, or amendments that are relevant to your reference, providing your reader with the necessary details to locate the correct portion of the US Constitution.
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Bibliography: The US Constitution does not need to be included in the bibliography
When using the Turabian citation style, the US Constitution does not need to be included in the bibliography. Instead, it should be cited in parenthetical citations only. This means that when referencing the US Constitution in your paper, you should include key source information in parentheses next to the reference.
For example, if you were referencing the First Amendment, your in-text citation would look like this: (The First Amendment...). Alternatively, you can spell out the full source name, like this: (The U.S. Constitution, in article 1, section 9, forbids...).
The Turabian style guide specifies that certain sources can be omitted from a bibliography, including newspaper articles, abstracts, brief reports, interviews, personal communications, blogs, social media posts, legal cases, and the US Constitution.
It is important to consult the Turabian manual for specific guidelines and examples when citing the US Constitution or any other source in your work.
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Notes: The US Constitution should be cited in notes, including article, amendment, section, and clause
When citing the US Constitution in Turabian style, it should be noted that it does not need to be included in the bibliography. Instead, it should be cited in notes only.
The citation should include the article or amendment number, section, and if relevant, the clause. For example, "The U.S. Constitution, in Article 1, Section 9, forbids..." or "The First Amendment...".
It is important to spell out all terms in the in-text citation and to use parenthetical citations. This means that you would include key source information next to the reference to that source in parentheses.
Additionally, when citing legal cases in Turabian style, provide the full case name in italics, followed by the volume number, name of the reporter, ordinal series number, opening page number of the decision, abbreviated name of the court, and date. Actual pages cited should follow the opening page number, separated by a comma. Like the US Constitution, legal cases should also be cited in notes only.
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Abbreviations: Learn when and how to use abbreviations in citations
Abbreviations are an essential aspect of the Turabian citation style, helping to streamline citations and save space. Here's a comprehensive guide to using abbreviations in Turabian citations:
Understanding Turabian Style:
Turabian style is a version of Chicago style that is specifically designed for students and researchers. It follows similar guidelines as Chicago style but with minor differences to cater to student needs. The latest edition of Turabian's manual, "A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations", was published in 2018.
When to Use Abbreviations:
Abbreviations are commonly used in Turabian citations to shorten lengthy titles or the names of publications. They are particularly useful when citing sources with long or complex titles. Additionally, Turabian style allows for certain standard abbreviations, such as for the books of the Bible and specific academic fields.
How to Abbreviate:
When abbreviating titles or publication names, use a standard abbreviation that is widely recognized and accepted. For example, the "Journal of Biological Chemistry" can be abbreviated as "J. Biol. Chem." Standard abbreviations for the books of the Bible are also provided in Turabian style, such as "OT" for the Old Testament and "NT" for the New Testament.
In-Text Citations:
In Turabian's parenthetical citation style, abbreviations can be used in parentheses within the text. For example, when citing a specific section of the U.S. Constitution, you can use the abbreviation "U.S. Const." followed by the article and section numbers. However, when using in-text abbreviations, ensure that the first mention of the source includes the full title before abbreviating in subsequent citations.
Bibliographies and Reference Lists:
In bibliographies or reference lists, abbreviations can be used for lengthy publication names or titles. This helps to save space and improve readability. However, always refer to the specific guidelines provided by Turabian style for the type of source you are citing, as some sources may require the full title or have specific abbreviation formats.
Consistency and Standardization:
It is important to maintain consistency when using abbreviations in your citations. Once you abbreviate a title or publication name, continue using that abbreviation throughout your document. Additionally, follow the standard abbreviation guidelines provided by Turabian style to ensure uniformity in your work.
In summary, abbreviations are a useful tool in Turabian citations to simplify and shorten references. By following the guidelines provided by Turabian style and maintaining consistency, you can effectively incorporate abbreviations into your citations to enhance the clarity and presentation of your academic work.
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Dates: Understand how to cite dates, including when they are missing
When citing sources in the Turabian style, there are two primary in-text citation styles: author-date and notes and bibliography. The author-date style indicates the source of cited material using in-text parentheses and a corresponding reference list, while the notes and bibliography style uses a system of notes (footnotes or endnotes) that contain citation information (author, title, date, etc.), paired with a full bibliography at the end.
When citing a source in the author-date style, the general format is as follows: (Author's Last Name, Year of Publication, Page Number). For example: (Austen, 2008, 131-132). If you are citing multiple sources by the same author published in the same year, distinguish them by adding letters after the year (a, b, c, etc.). For example: (Austen, 2008a, 131-132).
When a source has no author, start the citation with the title of the work instead. Use the first one, two, or three main words from the title, in either italics or quotation marks (consistent with how it is written in your Works Cited list). For example: ("How to Teach Yourself Guitar", 2016).
If a publication date is missing, use the acronym "n.d." ("no date") in place of the date. For example: (Austen, n.d., 131-132). If you are citing an online source with no date of publication, it is recommended that you add the date you accessed the work at the end of the citation in your Works Cited list. For example: (Austen, n.d., 131-132. Accessed 6 Sept. 2019).
For the notes and bibliography style, the in-text citation typically includes the author's last name and the page number being referenced, with no parentheses. The full citation information is then included in a footnote or endnote, and in the bibliography at the end. For example: Austen 131-132. Note that the first note for each source should include all relevant bibliographic information, while subsequent notes for the same source can be shortened.
When citing a source with a missing author in the notes and bibliography style, simply leave the author portion blank and begin the note with the title. For example: "How to Teach Yourself Guitar" 1. If the publication date is missing, use "n.d." in place of the date. For example: "How to Teach Yourself Guitar" 1, n.d. As with the author-date style, if you are citing an online source with no date, include the date accessed. For example: "How to Teach Yourself Guitar" 1, n.d. Accessed 24 June 2016.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution should be cited in notes or parenthetical citations only and should not be included in the bibliography. Include the article or amendment, section, and if relevant, clause.
Spell out all terms in the citation, for example, "The U.S. Constitution, in Article 1, Section 9, forbids..." or "The First Amendment..."
Cite the relevant article or amendment, section, and clause. For example, "The Fourth Amendment, in Section 1, protects..."












