Quick Intro

Hi! This guide shows you how to write a short legal brief (like a short court document) that compares Augustine’s City of God and City of Man — but written in the playful, emotional voice of Ally McBeal. I’ll explain the ideas simply, give a model brief you can use or adapt, and then give teacher comments for "Proficient" and "Exemplary" according to ACARA v9 English and Legal Studies standards.

1. What Augustine meant (short and simple)

• City of Man — people and societies oriented to earthly goals: power, fame, wealth. Temporary and often selfish. Augustine says it’s ruled by human desires and will fail to satisfy ultimate meaning.
• City of God — people and societies ordered toward God and love of others. Eternal, spiritual, and based on faith and righteousness. Even if things are hard on earth, this city points to lasting hope.

2. How to make it an Ally McBeal-style legal brief (step-by-step)

1. Start with a short, catchy opening — Ally often has a dramatic, personal aside. Mix legal language (Facts, Issues, Argument, Conclusion) with feelings and short pop-culture lines.
2. State the facts quickly: what Augustine said and why it matters for people/civilisation.
3. Pose the legal issue like a question (e.g., "Which City should we trust as our guide?").
4. Give two arguments — one for City of Man and one for City of God — using clear examples, then evaluate which is stronger.
5. Finish with a punchy conclusion and suggested remedy (what should we choose or what should a judge do?).
6. Keep language simple, precise, and a little theatrical — Ally McBeal would be honest about feelings but still persuasive.

3. Model brief — "People v. The Two Cities" (Ally McBeal voice)

To: The Honourable Court of Conscience
From: Ally McBeal (guest counsel for confused citizens)
Topic: Whether the City of Man or the City of God should guide our lives.

Facts: Augustine wrote that there are two ‘cities’: one made up of people who love themselves more than God (the City of Man), and one made up of people who love God (the City of God). The City of Man aims for power, pleasure, and safety on earth. The City of God aims for justice, love, and eternal meaning. Both try to answer: what makes life worth living?

Issue: Which city offers the better guide for how we should live together on earth — the short-term comforts and order of the City of Man, or the longer, spiritual hope of the City of God?

Arguments for the City of Man (Prosecution):

• Practical stability: Laws, government, and social order are necessary for safety, trade, schools and hospitals. Without a focus on earthly needs, people may suffer right now.
• Human agency: People can build things, invent, argue for rights, and make immediate improvements. That shows human worth and responsibility.
• Real outcomes: You can point to better roads, food, and protection when societies focus on worldly improvements.

Arguments for the City of God (Defense):

• Higher purpose: If society only chases power and comfort, it misses justice and love as ends in themselves. Augustine argues that only love of God and others gives true meaning.
• Moral grounding: The City of God offers rules of compassion and humility that help prevent cruelty and selfishness — things the City of Man can excuse.
• Long-term hope: Even when life is hard, the City of God gives people a reason to keep working for good, not just immediate gain.

Evaluation (Ally aside — cue dream sequence): Okay, your honour, cue the emotional music. The City of Man feels safe and efficient. It promises quick fixes, and who doesn’t want those? But sometimes the quick fix forgets to ask, "Is it kind? Is it fair?" The City of God asks the hard questions about purpose and how we treat others — even if that means sacrifice today for something better tomorrow. Augustine says both cities are mixed in every person: we have selfish wants and we have a sense of love and justice. The real test is which city helps us be better people when it matters.

Conclusion & Remedy: The court should not pick one city and ignore the other. Augustine’s view is that the City of God is the truer guide to meaning and justice, but the City of Man still provides necessary structures for life. The recommended remedy: adopt a policy that keeps practical laws and social services (City of Man strengths) while promoting justice, charity, and long-term thinking (City of God strengths). In Ally terms: keep the shoes on, but choose the heart over the mirror.

4. Writing tips for you (13-year-old friendly)

• Use short paragraphs and headings like Facts, Issue, Argument, Conclusion.
• Give one strong example for each argument — this makes your brief believable.
• Mix a little personality (a one-line aside like Ally) but stay clear and respectful.
• Proofread for clear reasons: does each sentence help your argument?

5. ACARA v9 teacher rubric comments — what to write on student work

Below are short, clear teacher comments you can use or adapt when marking a student’s brief. They are written to match common ACARA v9 expectations for English and Legal Studies: understanding, analysis, evidence use, structure, language, and evaluation.

Proficient

• "Proficient: The student shows a sound understanding of Augustine’s City of God and City of Man. Arguments are clearly organised into Facts, Issues, Arguments, and Conclusion. Key ideas are supported by relevant examples and reasoning. The voice is mostly appropriate for the Ally McBeal style: a brief personal aside adds interest without overpowering the argument. Language is generally clear and correct, and sources or textual references are used where appropriate."

Exemplary

• "Exemplary: The student demonstrates insightful and detailed understanding of Augustine’s two cities, and skilfully adapts the Ally McBeal persona to create persuasive and engaging legal reasoning. Arguments show strong critical thinking, comparing strengths and weaknesses of both cities with well-selected evidence and sophisticated analysis. Structure, tone, and language are consistently controlled and effective. The evaluation offers a thoughtful judgement and practical remedy that synthesises ideas from both traditions."

6. Quick checklist before you hand it in

• Have I clearly stated the Facts, Issue, Arguments (both sides), and Conclusion?
• Did I use at least one clear example or quote to support each main point?
• Is the voice consistent — a little Ally-style but still formal enough for a brief?
• Did I proofread for spelling and sentence sense?

If you want, paste your draft here and I’ll help rewrite it in Ally McBeal style and give suggestions to reach "Proficient" or "Exemplary." Good luck — and remember: be honest, be clear, and let your judgment (and a little drama) show.