5 Steps for Properly Citing the Declaration of Independence

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Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence, a seminal document in American history, requires proper citation to acknowledge its significance accurately. Citing the Declaration entails adhering to specific guidelines, ensuring academic integrity and preventing plagiarism. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to correctly cite the Declaration of Independence in various formats, including MLA, Chicago, and APA, fostering proper academic practices and fostering respect for intellectual property.

One of the aspects that sets apart the Declaration of Independence is its historical nature. Drafted in 1776, this document laid the foundation for the United States of America and its ideals of liberty, equality, and self-governance. Citing the Declaration of Independence acknowledges not only its historical significance but also its enduring relevance in shaping American identity and its principles. By recognizing its authors, the Continental Congress, and its historical context, we pay homage to the origins of our nation.

Furthermore, citing the Declaration of Independence correctly is essential for academic credibility. Accurate citation demonstrates respect for intellectual property, avoiding plagiarism and ensuring that credit is given where due. It allows readers to locate the original source easily, facilitating further research and verification of information. By adhering to established citation guidelines, researchers, students, and professionals maintain academic integrity and demonstrate a commitment to ethical scholarship.

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Identifying Key Information in the Declaration of Independence

Key Information:

  • Title: The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America

  • Date: July 4, 1776

  • Authors: Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston

  • Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

  • Purpose: To declare the thirteen American colonies’ independence from Great Britain

Specifics of the Declaration:**

  • Preamble: A statement of the Declaration’s purpose and principles, emphasizing the natural rights of individuals and the right to self-governance.

  • Body: A list of grievances against the British government, justifying the colonies’ decision to separate.

  • Charges against King George III: Specific accusations of tyranny and oppression, including imposing taxes without representation, restricting trade, provoking Native American attacks, and suspending colonial legislatures.

  • Declaration of Independence: A formal statement declaring the thirteen colonies’ independence from Great Britain.

  • Signatories: 56 delegates from the thirteen colonies who affirmed the Declaration with their signatures.

Using Proper Citation Formats for Print Sources

When citing the Declaration of Independence in a print source, follow the format specified by the style guide you are using. The following are examples of how to cite the Declaration of Independence using the most common style guides:

  • MLA (Modern Language Association):
    Format Example
    In-text citation: (Declaration of Independence, para. 1)
    Works Cited page: “The Declaration of Independence.” National Archives, National Archives and Records Administration, www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript. Accessed 4 July 2023.
  • APA (American Psychological Association):
    Format Example
    In-text citation: (Declaration of Independence, 1776, para. 1)
    Reference list: Declaration of Independence. (1776). National Archives and Records Administration. www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript

  • Chicago Manual of Style:
    Format Example
    In-text citation: “When in the Course of human events . . .” Declaration of Independence, par. 1.
    Bibliography: Declaration of Independence. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1943.

    Integrating Citations within Text

    To cite the Declaration of Independence within your text, use a parenthetical citation. The citation should include the author (the Continental Congress), the year it was written (1776), and the source (Declaration of Independence). For example:

    The Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776 (Continental Congress, 1776).

    Bibliography

    To cite the Declaration of Independence in your bibliography, include the following information:

    • Author: Continental Congress
    • Year: 1776
    • Title: The Declaration of Independence

    Your bibliography entry will look like this:

    Continental Congress (1776). Declaration of Independence.

    Formatting for Different Citation Styles

    The following table provides examples of how to cite the Declaration of Independence in different citation styles:

    Citation Style Citation
    MLA (Continental Congress, 1776)
    APA (Continental Congress, 1995)
    Chicago Continental Congress. (1776). Declaration of Independence.

    Avoiding Plagiarism and Ensuring Academic Integrity

    Plagiarism is the uncredited use of someone else’s words or ideas. It is a serious academic offense that can have severe consequences, including failing a class or being expelled from school. When citing the Declaration of Independence, it is important to avoid plagiarism by using quotation marks to indicate direct quotes and by paraphrasing or summarizing the text in your own words. To further ensure academic integrity, be sure to cite the source of the information you use.

    Citing the Declaration of Independence

    The Declaration of Independence can be cited using a variety of citation styles. The most common style is the Chicago Manual of Style, which uses the following format:

    Parenthetical citation

    The citation appears in parentheses at the end of the sentence or quote, and includes the author’s last name, the year of publication, and the page number. For example:

    (Jefferson, 1776, 1)

    Footnotes

    Footnotes appear at the bottom of the page and include the same information as a parenthetical citation, but with more detail. For example:

    1 Thomas Jefferson, The Declaration of Independence (Philadelphia: John Dunlap, 1776), 1.

    Bibliography

    The bibliography lists all of the sources consulted for the paper or article. It appears at the end of the work and includes the author’s name, the title of the work, the place of publication, the publisher, and the year of publication. For example:

    Jefferson, Thomas. The Declaration of Independence. Philadelphia: John Dunlap, 1776.

    Citation Style Example
    MLA Thomas Jefferson, “The Declaration of Independence,” National Archives, https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript.
    APA Jefferson, T. (1776). The Declaration of Independence. The National Archives. https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript
    Chicago Thomas Jefferson, The Declaration of Independence, 1776.

    APA Citation

    In-text citation: (Declaration of Independence, 1776)

    Reference list:

    Container Title Declaration of Independence
    Publication Date 1776
    Publication City Philadelphia

    MLA Citation

    In-text citation: (“The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America”, 1776)

    Works Cited entry:

    Title The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America
    Publication Date 1776
    URL [Insert URL of online version]

    Utilizing Online Resources for Citation Assistance

    There are several online resources available to assist with citation in the proper style. These resources can guide you through the specific formatting requirements and provide examples for different types of sources.

    MLA Citation Generator: This tool allows users to input information about the source and generates an MLA-style citation.

    APA Citation Generator: Similar to the MLA generator, this tool helps users create APA-style citations based on provided source information.

    Online Writing Labs (OWLs): Many colleges and universities provide online writing labs that offer citation assistance. These resources often provide detailed style guides and examples.

    Citation Machine: This website offers a comprehensive citation generator that supports multiple citation styles.

    Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL): This highly respected resource provides detailed guidance on citation, including a specific page dedicated to citing the Declaration of Independence.

    MLA Style Citation for the Declaration of Independence

    Basic Citation Format

    For general references, use the following citation:

    Jefferson, Thomas. “The Declaration of Independence.” USHistory.org, Independence Hall Association, www.ushistory.org/declaration/document/. Accessed 1 January 2023.

    Citation in Text

    Use the author’s last name (Jefferson) and the year (1776) when referring to the Declaration of Independence in the text, e.g.:

    According to Jefferson (1776), all men are created equal.

    Multiple Authors

    Since the Declaration of Independence has multiple authors (the Committee of Five), list all the authors’ last names in alphabetical order in the citation:

    Adams, Franklin, Jefferson, Livingston, Sherman. “The Declaration of Independence.” USHistory.org, Independence Hall Association, www.ushistory.org/declaration/document/. Accessed 1 January 2023.

    Secondary Source Citation

    If using a secondary source that references the Declaration of Independence, include the original publication information and the secondary source information:

    In-Text Citation Full Citation
    Secondary Source: (Smith 2012, 135) Smith, John. The History of American Independence. New York: Random House, 2012.
    Declaration of Independence: (Jefferson 1776, qtd. in Smith 2012, 135) Jefferson, Thomas. “The Declaration of Independence.” USHistory.org, Independence Hall Association, www.ushistory.org/declaration/document/.

    APA Style Citation for the Declaration of Independence

    The Declaration of Independence is a seminal document in American history. It was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, and it declared the thirteen American colonies’ independence from Great Britain.

    In-Text Citation

    When citing the Declaration of Independence in the text of your paper, use the shortened title “Declaration of Independence” and the year 1776. For example:

    (Declaration of Independence, 1776)

    Full Reference

    In the reference list, include the full title of the document, the date of adoption, and the publisher:

    Declaration of Independence. (1776, July 4). National Archives and Records Administration.

    Details for Specific Sections

    If you are citing a specific section of the Declaration of Independence, include the section number or title in your citation. For example:

    (Declaration of Independence, 1776, Section 2)

    (Declaration of Independence, 1776, Preamble)

    Online Access

    If you are accessing the Declaration of Independence online, include the URL in your citation:

    Declaration of Independence. (1776, July 4). National Archives and Records Administration. https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript

    Table of Specific Sections

    The following table provides a list of specific sections of the Declaration of Independence and their corresponding section numbers:

    Section Content
    Preamble Introduction and statement of purpose
    Declaration of Independence Statement of the colonies’ independence from Great Britain
    Reasons for Separation List of grievances against the British government
    Declaration of Rights Statement of the basic rights of all individuals
    Conclusion Call for unity and support

    Chicago Style Citation for the Declaration of Independence

    MLA Style Citation

    The Declaration of Independence. National Archives and Records Administration, 1776. https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript.

    Chicago Style Citation (Note)

    The Declaration of Independence. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1776. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GPO-UCP-2013-18209/pdf/GPO-UCP-2013-18209.pdf.

    Chicago Style Citation (Bibliography)

    U.S. Declaration of Independence. 4 July 1776. Accessed [date]. https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript.

    Chicago Style Citation (Footnote)

    The Declaration of Independence, National Archives and Records Administration, 1776, https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript.

    Chicago Style Citation (Parenthetical)

    (The Declaration of Independence, 1776)

    APA Style Citation

    The Declaration of Independence. (1776). National Archives. https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript.

    Turabian Style Citation

    The Declaration of Independence. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1776.

    Bluebook Style Citation

    U.S. Declaration of Independence, 1776.

    Ethical Considerations in Citing Historical Documents

    Historical documents, such as the Declaration of Independence, hold immense historical significance and cultural value. When citing them, it is essential to adhere to ethical guidelines to ensure proper attribution, accuracy, and respect for the original work.

    One of the key ethical considerations is avoiding plagiarism. This involves presenting the ideas or words of another source as your own. When citing historical documents, it is crucial to clearly indicate that you are using the work of others by using proper citation methods.

    Another important aspect is accuracy. Ensure that the information you present is accurate and consistent with the original document. Double-check facts and verify sources to avoid misunderstandings or misinterpretations.

    Furthermore, it is important to respect the original work and its context. This includes acknowledging the author, date of publication, and any relevant historical information. Avoid altering or paraphrasing the text in a way that distorts its meaning.

    Additionally, proper citation practices help ensure the integrity of the historical record. By providing proper references, readers can easily trace the source of the information and verify its authenticity.

    In certain cases, it may be necessary to obtain permission to use historical documents for commercial or other purposes. Copyright laws and intellectual property rights must be respected to avoid legal issues.

    By adhering to these ethical considerations, researchers and writers can ensure that their work is accurate, respectful, and contributes to the understanding and preservation of historical documents.

    How To Properly Cite The Declaration Of Independence

    The Declaration of Independence is one of the most important documents in American history. It was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, and it declared the thirteen American colonies’ independence from Great Britain.

    The Declaration of Independence is a complex and nuanced document, and there is no one right way to cite it. However, there are some general guidelines that you can follow to ensure that your citation is accurate and complete.

    When citing the Declaration of Independence, you should include the following information:

    • The title of the document: “The Declaration of Independence”
    • The date it was adopted: July 4, 1776
    • The place it was adopted: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
    • The publisher: The Continental Congress

    You can also include additional information, such as the specific page number or paragraph number that you are citing.

    Here are some examples of how to cite the Declaration of Independence:

    • “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” – The Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776
    • “The Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.” – The History of the United States, by George Bancroft

    People Also Ask About How To Properly Cite The Declaration Of Independence

    How do I cite the Declaration of Independence in MLA format?

    To cite the Declaration of Independence in MLA format, you would use the following format:

    Declaration of Independence. The Continental Congress, 4 July 1776, Philadelphia, Pa…

    How do I cite the Declaration of Independence in APA format?

    To cite the Declaration of Independence in APA format, you would use the following format:

    The Continental Congress. (1776, July 4). The Declaration of Independence. Philadelphia, PA: Author.

    How do I cite the Declaration of Independence in Chicago format?

    To cite the Declaration of Independence in Chicago format, you would use the following format:

    Declaration of Independence. 1776. Philadelphia, PA.