Goal (what you will do): Underline the main clauses, circle the subordinate clauses, then add modern punctuation where you think it belongs. After that, compare your punctuation to the two manuscript punctuations (M and N). I show you two English translations (one for each manuscript), annotated examples, and two models of student work: a proficient and an exemplary version.
Quick definitions (simple):
- Main clause — a complete idea that can stand on its own as a sentence (underline these).
- Subordinate clause — a clause that depends on another part of the sentence and cannot stand alone (circle these).
How to mark:
- Read the whole sentence once to get the meaning.
- Find the main actions or statements — these are usually the main clauses. Underline them.
- Find extra information that begins with words like since, which, that, so that, because, when — these are often subordinate clauses. Circle them.
- Now add punctuation: split long sentences into clear parts with commas, semicolons, dashes, or periods where the meaning turns or pauses naturally.
English translation and annotated marking for manuscript M (Translation 1)
Plain English translation (M): Since I see that I must next discuss the two cities, namely the earthly and the heavenly, with their proper boundaries, I must first set out, as far as the nature of finishing this work allows, the arguments of mortals by which they have tried to make themselves blessed in the unhappiness of this life, so that we may see how our hope differs from what God has given us through their vain things; and the thing itself — this is the true blessedness which he will give — may be made clear, not only by divine authority but also by reason, which we can apply because of the unbelievers.
Annotated (markings):
I see that I must next discuss the two cities — the earthly and the heavenly — with their proper boundaries. ◯Since I must first set out, as far as the nature of finishing this work allows, the arguments of mortals◯, they have tried to make themselves blessed in the unhappiness of this life, ◯so that we may see how our hope differs from what God has given us through their vain things◯; and the thing itself — this is the true blessedness which he will give — may be made clear, ◯not only by divine authority, but also by reason which we can apply because of the unbelievers◯.
(Notes about the marking above: Underlined parts are the main clauses — the backbone statements. The circled parts begin with linking words and add reasons or conditions.)
Modern punctuation suggestion for M (clear, readable version):
Since I see that I must next discuss the two cities — the earthly and the heavenly — with their proper boundaries, I will first set out, as far as the plan for finishing this work allows, the arguments of mortals by which they have tried to make themselves blessed in the unhappiness of this life. This will show how our hope differs from what God has given us through their vain things. The thing itself — the true blessedness which he will give — becomes clear, not only by divine authority, but also by reason, which we can apply because of the unbelievers.
English translation and annotated marking for manuscript N (Translation 2)
Plain English translation (N): Since the two cities, the earthly and the heavenly, have definite bounds, I see that I must next argue the matter. First I must explain, as far as the plan for completing this work allows, the arguments of mortals who have tried to make themselves blessed in the unhappiness of this life, so that we may know how our hope differs from what God has given us through their vain things. And the thing itself — that is, the true blessedness which he will give — will be clarified, not only by divine authority but also by the application of reason, which we can use because of the unbelievers.
Annotated (markings):
◯Since the two cities — the earthly and the heavenly — have definite bounds◯, I see that I must next argue the matter. ◯First I must explain, as far as the plan for completing this work allows, the arguments of mortals◯ who have tried to make themselves blessed in the unhappiness of this life, ◯so that we may know how our hope differs from what God has given us through their vain things◯. The thing itself — that is, the true blessedness which he will give — will be clarified, ◯not only by divine authority but also by the application of reason which we can use because of the unbelievers◯.
Modern punctuation suggestion for N (clear version):
Since the two cities — the earthly and the heavenly — have definite bounds, I see that I must next argue the matter. First, I must explain, as far as the plan for completing this work allows, the arguments of mortals who have tried to make themselves blessed in the unhappiness of this life; this will show how our hope differs from what God has given us through their vain things. The thing itself — that is, the true blessedness which he will give — will be clarified not only by divine authority but also by reason, which we can apply because of the unbelievers.
Compare your punctuation to the manuscripts (what to notice):
- Manuscript M tends to group longer stretches together and uses fewer explicit separators; its punctuation depends on sense pauses decided by the scribe.
- Manuscript N uses more points, slashes, or mid-line marks to break phrases; it often separates clauses where M did not.
- Both manuscripts place punctuation where the scribe thought readers might get confused; they do not always match modern sentence rules.
- Your modern punctuation should: make meaning clear, break very long sentences into shorter ones where appropriate, and keep dependent clauses linked to the main clause they belong with.
Proficient student model (what 'proficient' looks like):
Works shown: student underlines the main clauses and circles most subordinate clauses, and adds modern punctuation but may miss one small subordinate clause or put one comma slightly differently.
Example of proficient punctuation (short):
Since I see that I must next discuss the two cities — earthly and heavenly — with their proper boundaries, I will first set out, as the work allows, the arguments of mortals who tried to make themselves blessed in this life. That will show how our hope differs from what God has given us through their vain things. The true blessedness which he will give becomes clear not only by divine authority but also by reason.
Teacher comment for proficient: Good identification of main and subordinate clauses. Clear punctuation that makes the text readable. One small subordinate clause was not circled — check the clause starting with "as".
Exemplary student model (what 'exemplary' looks like):
Works shown: student correctly underlines every main clause, circles every subordinate clause, and provides careful, readable punctuation and a short note explaining one tricky clause choice.
Example of exemplary punctuation (careful):
Since I see that I must next discuss the two cities — the earthly and the heavenly — with their proper boundaries, I must first set out, insofar as the plan to finish this work allows, the arguments of mortals by which they sought their own blessedness in the unhappiness of this life; this will show how our hope differs from what God has given us through their vain things. The thing itself — the true blessedness which he will give — becomes clear, not only by divine authority, but also by reason, which we can apply because of the unbelievers.
Teacher comment for exemplary: Excellent. Every main and subordinate clause is marked correctly. Punctuation is chosen to preserve the original sense and to make the reading clear. The short note about the phrase "insofar as the plan... allows" explains why it is a subordinate clause.
Homeschool report — Ally McBeal cadence (short, rhythmic):
Proficient outcome: "She read it, she marked it — the main bones underlined — the small bones circled — punctuation placed where the meaning paused; the sentence lives, she tamed the run-ons. Good rhythm, good reason. (A small pair of parentheses whisper: check that 'as' clause.)"
Exemplary outcome: "Oh! — She danced through Augustine — every main beat underlined, every little echo circled — commas and dashes on cue — meaning shining through like a spotlight. Crisp, confident, convincing. Teacher smiles. Homework: applause."
Final tips for you (12-year-old):
- When you finish marking, read the sentence out loud. Where you naturally pause is often a good spot for punctuation.
- Ask: can this clause stand alone? If yes — underline it. If no — circle it and attach it to its main clause.
- Compare your punctuation to the manuscripts: notice why the scribes put marks where they did — they were helping readers follow sense, not following modern grammar rules exactly.
If you want, paste your own attempt and I will mark it like the proficient/exemplary models and give suggestions.