Omar Bennett
The U.S. Constitution is a revered document, with many famous quotes attributed to it. The Constitution outlines the fundamental laws of the United States, and its interpretation and application have been the subject of much discussion and debate throughout history. When quoting from the Constitution, it is important to know the correct way to cite it, depending on the style guide being used. This introduction will explore notable quotes from the Constitution and provide guidance on how to quote from this significant text.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Style | APA, MLA, Bluebook |
| Referencing | Include article/amendment and section numbers |
| In-text citation | U.S. Const., followed by article, amendment, section, and/or clause numbers |
| Abbreviations | art., amend., §, and cl. |
| Article and amendment numbers | Given in Roman numerals (I, II, III) |
| Section and clause numbers | Given in Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3) |
| Date | Include the year in parentheses if referring to a repealed or amended part |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Citing the US Constitution in APA style
The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation is the standard for all legal citations, and the style for legal citations in the Publication Manual comes directly from it. Although the Publication Manual includes a variety of legal citation examples, citing constitutions is not among them. So, if you need further guidance on legal citations, you should consult the Bluebook directly or ask your local law librarian.
If you simply want to make a passing reference to the U.S. Constitution in an APA Style paper, you can mention it in the text without a reference list entry. However, if you are using a part of the U.S. Constitution as evidence to support a point, you should construct the citation using Bluebook Rule 11, which covers federal and state constitutions.
All citations of the U.S. Constitution begin with "U.S. Const.," followed by the article, amendment, section, and/or clause numbers as relevant. The terms article, amendment, section, and clause are always abbreviated as "art.," "amend.," "§," and "cl.," respectively. Preamble is abbreviated "pmbl." 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 first article of the U.S. Constitution would be cited as:
> U.S. Const. art. I
The Bluebook states that for parts of the Constitution currently in force, do not include a date. If you are referring to a part of the Constitution that has been repealed or amended, include the year that the part in question was repealed or amended in parentheses.
Legislative Powers: Constitutional Limits Explained
You may want to see also
Citing the US Constitution in MLA style
To cite the US Constitution in MLA style, you should 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, if you are citing an online version of the US Constitution, your citation should look like this: ("Constitution of the United States," art. 1, sec. 4). Here, "art." is the abbreviation for "Article", "sec." is the abbreviation for "Section", and the number "1" is in Arabic numerals, as MLA style does not use Roman numerals.
If you are citing a book version of the US Constitution, write the title of the book in italics, and list any editors, annotators, or other main contributors to the edition after the title.
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.
Exploring Boston: Constitution Inn to Quincy Market
You may want to see also
Quoting the US Constitution in academic papers
APA Style
If you simply want to make a passing reference to the US Constitution in an APA Style paper, 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 to support your argument, you should follow Bluebook Rule 11, which covers federal and state constitutions.
All citations of the US Constitution in APA Style begin with "U.S. Const." followed by the relevant article, amendment, section, and/or clause numbers. For example:
> "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union...." — U.S. Const. pmbl.
Note that "pmbl." is the abbreviation for "preamble." The terms "article," "amendment," "section," and "clause" are abbreviated as "art.," "amend.," "§," and "cl.," respectively. Article and amendment numbers are written using Roman numerals (I, II, III), while section and clause numbers use Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3).
Additionally, if you are referring to a part of the Constitution that is no longer in force (either repealed or amended), include the year of repeal or amendment in parentheses.
MLA Style
When citing the US Constitution in MLA style, include information about where you accessed the document in the Works Cited entry. In the in-text citation, use article/amendment and section numbers instead of page numbers. For example:
> As stated in "The Constitution of the United States: A Transcription," “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union...” (Constitution, art. I).
Note that "Constitution" is used as the shortened form of "The Constitution of the United States" in the in-text citation.
Additionally, if you are citing a specific edition of the Constitution in book form, you would italicize the title and list any editors or contributors.
Direct Quotations and Attribution
When quoting directly from the US Constitution, it is important to provide the relevant article, amendment, section, and clause information to enable readers to locate the quoted passage. For example:
> "The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, self-appointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny." (U.S. Const. art. I)
Additionally, when attributing a quote to a specific individual, such as a founding father, ensure that you provide the appropriate context and source. For example:
> Benjamin Franklin, in his speech at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on September 17, 1787, remarked, "In these sentiments, Sir, I agree to this Constitution, with all its faults, — if they are such; because I think a general Government necessary for us..." (James Madison, Journal of the Federal Convention, ed. E. H. Scott, 1893, p. 742).
Bull-Running: Cruel Sport or Cultural Tradition?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
US Constitution quotes from historical figures
The US Constitution is a powerful document that has inspired and guided many people throughout history. Here are some notable quotes from historical figures about the US Constitution:
James Madison, U.S. Constitution
"A well-regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
Founding Fathers, The United States Constitution
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances."
John Bingham, Member of Congress and one of the drafters of the 14th Amendment
"Every human being born within the United States of parents not owing allegiance to any foreign sovereignty is, in the language of your Constitution itself, a natural-born citizen."
George Washington, First President of the United States
"My opinion, with respect to emigration, is that, except of useful mechanics and some particular descriptions of men or professions, there is no need of encouragement, while the policy or advantage of its taking place in a body... may be much questioned; for, by so doing, they retain the language, habits, and principles (good or bad) which they bring with them."
Peter Lawler and Richard M. Reinsch, Redeeming Democracy in America (2011)
"The American Constitution, of course, gives no formal import to any social institution other than property: like the founders of liberalism generally, the American framers were inclined to think that, when possible, government should leave social life and moral education to the devices of others."
Preamble, US Constitution, September 7, 1787
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
The Constitution's Ratification: Power to the People
You may want to see also
US Constitution quotes from Supreme Court justices
The US Constitution has been the subject of many Supreme Court cases and the quotes from justices on the matter are insightful and powerful.
Thurgood Marshall, the first African American US Supreme Court Justice, is known for his contributions to civil rights and criminal procedure. He once said, "Where you see wrong or inequality or injustice, speak out, because this is your country. This is your democracy. Make it. Protect it. Pass it on." He also famously described his judicial approach as, "You do what you think is right and let the law catch up."
John Roberts, another Supreme Court Justice, emphasized the importance of understanding the Constitution by saying, "If children do not understand the Constitution, they cannot understand how our government functions, or what their rights and responsibilities are as citizens of the United States."
Other justices have also weighed in on the role of the Supreme Court in interpreting and upholding the Constitution. For example, Brett Kavanaugh stated, "The Supreme Court is the last line of defense for the separation of powers and for the rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution." Similarly, Elena Kagan recognized the limits of the Court, saying, "The Supreme Court, of course, has the responsibility of ensuring that our government never oversteps its proper bounds or violates the rights of individuals. But the Court must also recognize the limits on itself and respect the choices made by the American people."
Some quotes highlight the evolving nature of the Constitution and the role of the Supreme Court in interpreting it. For instance, Justice John Paul Stevens believed that the Constitution is an evolving document, stating that it "needed to be interpreted afresh by each generation." On the other hand, Thomas Jefferson warned against considering Supreme Court judges as "the ultimate arbiters of all constitutional questions," arguing that it places the country "under the despotism of an oligarchy."
The quotes above showcase the diverse perspectives of Supreme Court justices on the US Constitution and their role in interpreting and upholding it. These quotes provide valuable insights into how the Constitution is understood and applied in the United States.
Exploring Oregon's Constitutional History: Multiple Versions Exist
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
All citations of the U.S. Constitution begin with "U.S. Const.," followed by the article, amendment, section, and/or clause numbers as relevant. The terms article, amendment, section, and clause are always abbreviated as "art.," "amend.," "§," and "cl.," respectively.
In the in-text citation, use article/amendment and section numbers instead of page numbers. In the parenthetical citation, you should specify the version cited. When mentioning the Constitution in your paper, you can generally just call it the Constitution without italicization or quotation marks.
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
"The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive and judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and whether hereditary, self-appointed, or elective, may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny."
"Lincoln had an unusually high regard for the law in general and a respect bordering on religious veneration for the Constitution in particular. The strength of the Union depended on the nation's unflagging devotion to that document."
"For the genius of the Constitution rests not in any static meaning it might have had in a world that is dead and gone, but in the adaptability of its great principles to cope with current problems and current needs."
