Eleanor Finch
Citing the United States Constitution in academic writing can be done using APA, MLA, or Chicago style. APA style requires the use of Bluebook Rule 11, which covers federal and state constitutions. MLA style requires the use of article/amendment and section numbers instead of page numbers. Chicago style requires only footnote citations for legal documents, and the documents do not need to be listed in the bibliography.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| In-text citation | Use "Constitution of the United States" or "US Const." with article/amendment and section numbers |
| Abbreviations | Use "art." for Article, "amend." for Amendment, and "sec." for Section |
| Numerals | Use Roman numerals for Article and Amendment numbers, and Arabic numerals for Section numbers |
| Bluebook Rule | Use Bluebook Rule 11 for APA style citations |
| Reference list | APA and MLA styles require reference list entries and in-text citations for specific pieces of constitutions |
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What You'll Learn
Citing the US Constitution in APA style
Citing the US Constitution in an academic paper can be tricky, especially in APA style. Here are some detailed guidelines and examples to help you master this skill:
When to Cite and When Not To
If you are simply making a passing reference to the U.S. Constitution in your paper, you can mention it in the text without a reference list entry. However, if you are using a specific part of the Constitution as evidence to support your argument, you should provide a formal citation.
Understanding the Basics
The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation is your go-to source for citing legal materials in APA style. While the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association does not include specific guidelines for citing constitutions, it defers to Bluebook style for legal citations.
Abbreviations and Numbering
When citing the US Constitution, always use the abbreviation "U.S. Const." followed by the relevant article, amendment, section, and/or clause numbers. Use abbreviations "art." for articles, "amend." for amendments, "§" for sections, and "cl." for clauses. Preamble is abbreviated as "pmbl." Article and amendment numbers are given in Roman numerals (e.g., I, II, III), while section and clause numbers use Arabic numerals (e.g., 1, 2, 3).
Examples
> “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union....” —U.S. Const. pmbl.
> The founding fathers addressed the process by which new states may join the union (U.S. Const. art. I, § 3).
> During prohibition, the sale of liquor was made illegal (U.S. Const. amend. XVIII, repealed 1933).
Additional Considerations
Remember that the Bluebook is updated periodically, so always refer to the latest edition for the most accurate information. Additionally, when citing state constitutions, use the appropriate legal state abbreviations, such as "In. Const." for Indiana's Constitution.
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Citing the US Constitution in MLA style
When citing the US Constitution in MLA style, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Firstly, in your in-text citations, use article/amendment and section numbers instead of page numbers. For example, if you're citing Article 1, Section 4 of the Constitution, your in-text citation would look like this: ("Constitution of the United States," art. 1, sec. 4). Notice the use of the abbreviations "art." for "Article," "amend." for "Amendment," and "sec." for "Section." Additionally, convert any Roman numerals used in the text to Arabic numerals, so "XIV" becomes "14".
If you're referencing a specific edition of the Constitution, such as an online version or a published book, include information about where you accessed it in the Works Cited entry. For example, if you're citing an online version, include the URL and date accessed. If you're citing a published book, write the title of the book in italics and list any editors or contributors. Here's an example of how to cite a published book version of the Constitution:
The Constitution of the United States: A Transcription. National Archives, United States National Archives and Records Administration, 28 Feb. 2017, www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution-transcript#toc-article-iv.
When mentioning the Constitution in your paper, you can simply refer to it as "the Constitution" without using italics or quotation marks. However, in your parenthetical citation, specify the version cited to match the first words of the Works Cited entry.
Additionally, if you're 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)". This format is similar for both MLA and APA styles.
By following these guidelines, you can properly cite the US Constitution in your MLA-style paper, ensuring that your sources are accurately referenced and accessible to your readers.
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Citing specific pieces of the Constitution
When citing specific pieces of the Constitution, it is important to follow the correct style guide, depending on the required referencing style. For example, in APA style, all citations of the U.S. 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 to "art.", "amend.", "§", and "cl.", respectively.
In MLA style, the in-text citation should include article/amendment and section numbers instead of page numbers. For example, the in-text citation for Article/Amendment XII, Section 3 would be written as (US Const. amend. XII, sec. 3).
If you are using the Chicago style, the citation would be included in a footnote: U.S. Const. amend. XVIII (repealed 1933).
Additionally, when citing a part of the Constitution that has been amended or repealed, include the year of the amendment or repeal in parentheses.
It is worth noting that the Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation is often referred to as the standard guide for legal citations.
> "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union...." —U.S. Constitution, pmbl.
> As stated in the Constitution, … (“Constitution of the United States,” art. 1, sec. 4).
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Using Roman and Arabic numerals in citations
The use of Roman and Arabic numerals in citations of legal documents, such as the U.S. Constitution, is a traditional method of enhancing the readability and organisation of the text. This system provides a clear and distinct structure, eliminating potential misunderstandings due to the absence of place values or zero in Roman numerals.
When citing the U.S. Constitution, it is customary to use Roman numerals for divisions and Arabic numerals for counts, such as "Amendment V". In general, Roman numerals are used for articles and parts, while Arabic numerals are used for sections and clauses. For example, an in-text citation in MLA style would be ("Constitution of the United States," art. 1, sec. 4), where "art." represents "Article" and "sec." represents "Section".
In APA style, all citations of the U.S. Constitution begin with "U.S. Const." followed by the relevant article, amendment, section, and/or clause numbers. 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, a citation could read "U.S. Const. amend. XIV, § 1".
It is important to note that different jurisdictions may have specific formatting requirements for legal documents. For instance, California mandates the use of Arabic numerals for pagination, starting from the first page. Therefore, understanding the rules and guidelines of the relevant jurisdiction is essential to ensure compliance with professional standards and legal requirements.
The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation is a comprehensive resource for legal citation styles and should be consulted for further guidance on citing the U.S. Constitution or other legal documents.
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The Bluebook citation system
The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation is the style guide for legal citation used by lawyers, scholars, judges, law students and others in the legal profession. The Bluebook contains rules that prescribe how to cite a variety of legal documents, including the US Constitution and state constitutions.
Citing the US Constitution
To cite the United States federal constitution, use the abbreviation "U.S. Const." followed by the relevant article, amendment, section and clause. For example:
> U.S. Const. amend. XIV, § 2
> U.S. CONST. art. IV, § 1
Citing State Constitutions
To cite a state constitution, use the abbreviated name of the state followed by "Const." and the relevant article, section and clause. For example:
> Haw. Const. art. IX, § 1, cl. 2
> Tex. Const. art. 1, § 9, cl. 9
> S.C. CONST. art. I, § 12
Additional Rules and Guidelines
- Do not use a short form other than "id." where appropriate for constitutions.
- Only abbreviate words in Table 10 and Table 16 when the citation is used in a footnote.
- If a constitution is referred to in a textual sentence, the citation must be written out in full, or the provision referred to by name.
- Subdivisions and names are capitalized for the US Constitution and in regular typeface.
- Subdivisions and names are not capitalized for state constitutions and are in regular typeface.
- When citing a provision that has been amended, add the date it was amended in parentheses.
Citing Other Sources with The Bluebook
In addition to legal documents, The Bluebook also provides guidance on citing other sources, such as books, reports, online sources, law reviews, journals, and newspapers. For example, Rule 15 covers how to cite books, while Rule 18 provides guidance on citing online sources.
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Frequently asked questions
If you are citing the US Constitution in passing, you do not need to include a reference list entry. However, if you are using a part of the Constitution as evidence, you should follow Bluebook Rule 11, which covers federal and state constitutions. All citations should begin with U.S. Const., followed by the relevant article, amendment, section, and/or clause numbers.
When citing the US Constitution in text using MLA style, use article/amendment and section numbers instead of page numbers. If the Constitution is published in a named edition, treat it like the title of a book. In general, you can simply call it "the Constitution" without italics or quotation marks.
Chicago style requires only footnote citations for legal documents, and the documents do not need to be listed in the bibliography.
