The Preamble: Introduction

I have no idea whom to credit for this diagram since it's displayed without citation on dozens of webpages. Isn't it beautiful, though?


For those who prefer their sentences in a more linear form:

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.

For those who prefer their Preamble in comedy form:

For the Trekkies:

The Preamble is the most memorized sentence in the US Constitution. Weighing in at a hefty fifty-two words, it is purely expository. That is to say it explains, it even "sells" the rest of the document, but does not act. It neither grants authority nor recognizes rights.

Comments welcome and even appreciated (moderated).

Tomorrow: Preamble: Outside the Commas, Part I of II