Isabella Carter
The United States Constitution is a crucial document that outlines the country's fundamental laws and principles. When quoting or referencing it in academic or legal writing, proper citation is essential. Various style guides, such as APA, MLA, and The Bluebook, provide specific guidelines on how to cite the Constitution. These guidelines ensure that readers can easily identify and locate the referenced section within the document. The citation format typically includes abbreviations like art. for Article, amend. for Amendment, and sec. for Section, followed by the corresponding numbers in Roman or Arabic numerals. Understanding the correct way to cite the Constitution is important for maintaining academic integrity and providing proper attribution to one of the foundational texts of US democracy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Style | APA, MLA |
| Date | Not required if the part being cited is currently in force |
| Article, amendment, section, and clause numbers | Required if citing a part of the Constitution |
| Abbreviations | art., amend., §, and cl. |
| Roman numerals | Used for article and amendment numbers |
| Arabic numerals | Used for section and clause numbers |
| Repealed or amended parts | Include the year in parentheses |
| Book form | Write the title of the book in italics |
| Contributors | List editors, annotators, or other main contributors |
| In-text citation | Use "Constitution" without italics or quotation marks |
| Parenthetical citation | Specify the version cited |
| Author | Person or organization responsible for the work |
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What You'll Learn
Citing the US Constitution in APA style
When citing the US Constitution in APA style, it is important to follow the guidelines set by the Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation. While the Publication Manual of the APA provides examples of various legal citation styles, it does not specifically cover the citation format for constitutions. Therefore, it is necessary to refer to the Bluebook for the correct format.
If you are simply making a passing reference to the US Constitution, 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 follow the citation structure outlined in Bluebook Rule 11, which covers federal and state constitutions.
The basic structure of a US Constitution citation in APA style is as follows:
> U.S. Const., followed by the article, amendment, section, and/or clause numbers as relevant.
The terms "article," "amendment," "section," and "clause" are abbreviated as "art.," "amend.," "§," and "cl.," respectively. The preamble is abbreviated as "pmbl." Article and amendment numbers are denoted by Roman numerals (I, II, III), while section and clause numbers use Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3).
For example, if you are citing Article I, Section 3 of the US Constitution, the citation would look like this:
> U.S. Const. art. I, § 3.
If you are referring to a part of the Constitution that has been repealed or amended, include the year in parentheses, like so:
> U.S. Const. amend. XVIII (repealed 1933).
It is important to note that the Bluebook is the standard reference guide for legal citations, and you should consult it directly or seek guidance from a law librarian if you need further clarification or have specific citation questions.
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Citing the US Constitution in MLA style
When citing 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, in the in-text citation, you should specify the version cited ("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 used in the text to Arabic numerals (e.g., “XIV” becomes “14”).
The US Constitution has also been published in book form in various editions. To cite one of these, 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.
If you use a named edition, your in-text citations should help your readers locate the exact entry in the Works Cited: ("Constitution of the United States, with Case Summaries"). For citations of any constitution, including the US, the country of origin should be specified if the title does not indicate what country the constitution belongs to. For example, "France. Le constitution. 4 October 1958. Legifrance, www.legifrance.gouv.fr/Droit-francais/Constitution/Constitution-du-4-octobre-1958."
MLA (Modern Language Association) style is most commonly used to write papers and cite sources within the liberal arts and humanities.
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Citing the US Constitution in book form
The US Constitution has been published in book form in various editions. When citing the US Constitution in book form, you should follow the standard rules for book citations, depending on the style guide you are using.
For example, in MLA style, you would write the title of the book in italics, followed by any editors, annotators, or other main contributors to the edition. In the in-text citation, you should specify the version cited and use article/amendment and section numbers instead of page numbers. For example:
> "As stated in the Constitution, … (“Constitution of the United States,” art. 1, sec. 4). Use the abbreviations “art..” (Article), “amend..” (Amendment), and “sec..” as appropriate in your citations; convert any Roman numerals used in the text to Arabic numerals (e.g., “XIV” becomes “14”)."
In APA style, the Bluebook is the standard reference for legal citations. According to the Bluebook, 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 to "art.," "amend.," "§," and "cl..," respectively. Preamble is abbreviated to "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 parts of the Constitution currently in force, no date is included.
For example:
> "U.S. Const. art. 1, § 9, cl. 9."
It is important to note that the specific formatting and style requirements may vary depending on the citation style guide you are using. The examples provided above are based on MLA and APA style guides.
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Referencing the US Constitution in prose
When referencing the US Constitution in prose, there are a few standard style guides that can be followed. The style chosen often depends on the context, such as the academic discipline or the publisher's guidelines. Here are some common styles and their conventions for referencing the US Constitution:
APA Style
The APA (American Psychological Association) style is commonly used in the social sciences. According to APA guidelines, when citing a specific part of the US Constitution, the format is as follows:
> U.S. Const., art. [article number in Roman numerals], § [section number in Arabic numerals], cl. [clause number in Arabic numerals]
For example:
> U.S. Const., art. I, § 3, cl. 2
If referring to an amended or repealed section, include the year in parentheses:
> U.S. Const., amend. XVIII (repealed 1933)
However, if you are simply referring to the US Constitution as a whole, you may do so without including a specific citation in the reference list.
MLA Style
MLA (Modern Language Association) style is often used in the humanities. When referencing the US Constitution in MLA style, the general format is as follows:
> "Article" [article number in Roman numerals], "Section" [section number in Arabic numerals], "Amendment" [amendment number in Roman numerals]
For example:
> "Article II, Section 4, Amendment XX"
When citing a specific edition of the Constitution published as a book, include the title in italics, followed by any editors or contributors:
> *The Constitution of the United States: A Transcription*, ed. John Doe
Additionally, in the Works Cited entry, include information about where the source was accessed.
Bluebook Style
The Bluebook style is specifically designed for legal citations. It sets the standard for legal references and is often used in law reviews and journals. The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation provides detailed guidelines for referencing legal materials, including constitutions. However, specific rules for citing the US Constitution may vary depending on the specific edition of The Bluebook used.
Other Considerations
When referencing the US Constitution, it is important to be consistent in your chosen style and follow any specific guidelines provided by your instructor or publisher. Additionally, always ensure that you are citing the most up-to-date version of the Constitution, as amendments and repeals can change over time.
In general, when referring to the US Constitution in prose, it is common to simply call it "the Constitution" without the need for italics or quotation marks. However, specific citations should be provided when quoting or referring to specific articles, amendments, or sections.
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Citing a secondary source
When citing a secondary source related to the US Constitution, it is important to follow the appropriate citation style, such as APA, MLA, or The Bluebook. Here is a guide on how to cite secondary sources in each of these styles:
APA Style
The APA style is commonly used in social and behavioural sciences. When citing the US Constitution in APA style, the general format is as follows:
> U.S. Const., followed by the article, amendment, section, and/or clause numbers. Use "art." for articles, "amend." for amendments, "§" for sections, and "cl." for clauses. Article and amendment numbers use Roman numerals, while section and clause numbers use Arabic numerals.
For example:
> U.S. Const. amend. V
If referring to a repealed or amended part, include the year in parentheses:
> U.S. Const. art. I, § 8, cl. 3 (1919)
MLA Style
MLA style is often used in humanities and liberal arts. When citing the Constitution in MLA style, include the specific version or edition, such as:
> ("Constitution of the United States," art. 1, sec. 4)
When citing a book version of the Constitution, italicize the title and list any contributors:
> The Constitution of the United States: A Transcription (include contributors)
The Bluebook
The Bluebook is the standard citation style for legal documents. When citing a secondary source in The Bluebook style, the general format is as follows:
> Author(s), Title of Article (in italics), Volume Number, Title of Source (journal/publication), Page Number, Publication Year
For example:
> John Smith, "The Evolution of Free Speech Rights," 100 Yale L.J. 500, 502 (2022)
When citing a book, include the volume number, author, title (in italics), section/page number, and year:
> Vol. 10, The History of the Constitution, § 2, p. 50, (2005)
Secondary Sources in Constitutional Research
When researching constitutional law and history, it is common to start with secondary sources. These can include legal encyclopaedias, treatises, books, study aids, and online resources. The Library of Congress and Georgetown Law Library provide guides and databases with a wealth of secondary sources related to the US Constitution. These sources include essays, government documents, photographs, and prints.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, it is necessary to cite the Constitution when quoted. The style of citation may vary depending on the style guide being used, such as APA, MLA, or Bluebook.
To cite the US Constitution in APA style, begin with "U.S. Const." followed by the relevant article, amendment, section, and/or clause numbers. Use Roman numerals for article and amendment numbers and Arabic numerals for section and clause numbers.
When citing the Constitution in MLA style, include information about where you accessed it in the Works Cited entry. If you are citing a published book version of the Constitution, write the title in italics and list any editors or contributors.
If you are referring to the Constitution as a whole without citing a specific part, you may simply mention it in your paper without including a formal citation in the references list.
For further guidance on citing the Constitution, you can refer to style guides such as APA, MLA (including resources like Purdue Owl's Writing Lab), or The Bluebook for legal citations. You can also consult a local law librarian for assistance.
