Preamble to the U.S. Constitution / Bill of Rights

Preamble

(n.) an introduction to a speech or piece of writing

Which amendments cover legal proceedings?

Amendments 5-8

Authors Choice: Structure

Both the Constitution and the Bill of Rights are resolutions, or legal foundational statements that explain a set of decisions approved by a governing body. Likewise, both begin with a preamble, a statement that explains who is issuing the document and for what purpose. The text that follows the Preamble to the Bill of Rights illustrates a simple structure called enumeration, in which the major ideas (the first ten amendments) are listed in numerical order. Each of the amendments follows a regular structure, beginning with a heading, or label.

Puncuation for Enumeration

Listing, or enumeration, is an important characteristic of the style used in these documents. When enumerating ideas, place a comma between each item in the series. The choice to use the serial comma in a list of three or more enumerated items is a matter of style. If it is used, the serial comma is placed immediately before the coordinating conjunction (usually and, or, or nor). In addition, enumerated text must demonstrate parallel structure. For instance, if two items in the list are prepositional phrases, then the remaining items should also be prepositional phrases.

According to its Preamble, who is responsible for establishing the Constitution

The Senate and the House of Representatives are responsible for the constitution.

Word Study: Words With Multiple Meanings

The concept vocabulary word exercise has more than one meaning. As a noun, exercise can refer to physical exertion that maintains or improves health. It also can refer to an activity that tests or displays a particular skill. As a verb, it can refer to the action of physical training or the action of implementing one's right to do something.

What laws are forbidden in Amendment I of the Bill of Rights?

The government cannot make laws that restrict its citizen's individual freedoms.

Write a summary of the Preamble to the Constitution and a summary of the Bill of Rights to confirm your understanding of the texts.

The preamble introduces the purpose of the bill of rights and where it comes from. The bill of rights protects our individual freedoms.

petition

a formal request

serial comma

comma preceding "and" or "or" in a list of items

exercise

implementation; state of putting something into action

abridging

limiting or reducing

Enumeration

listing items in order

prescribed

stated in writing; set down as a rule

redress

to set right, remedy

paralell structure

using the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas have the same level of importance

infringed

violated