Workshop goal (short):
Carefully parse and perform this single sentence from Augustine's The City of God. You will: (1) label parts of speech for each word, (2) mark major phrases and clause functions, (3) draw a simple T-model (subject / predicate), and (4) rehearse a memorized, theatrical "mock-court" delivery in an Ally McBeal-ish cadence.
Target sentence (read this aloud once):
As I see that I have still to discuss the fit destinies of the two cities, the earthly and the heavenly, I must first explain, so far as the limits of this work allow me, the reasonings by which men have attempted to make for themselves a happiness in this unhappy life, in order that it may be evident, not only from divine authority, but also from such reasons as can be adduced to unbelievers, how the empty dreams of the philosophers differ from the hope which God gives to us, and from the substantial fulfillment of it which He will give us as our blessedness.
1) Quick structural summary (teacher-student friendly):
- Sentence type: declarative.
- Overall structure: complex sentence — one main (independent) clause with several subordinate clauses and embedded relative clauses and a purpose clause.
- Main clause core: "I must first explain [the reasonings ...]"; everything else modifies or fills out that core.
2) T‑Model (Subject | Predicate) — draw this on your paper or copy the boxes below:
[Adverbial subordinate clause: As I see that I have still to discuss the fit destinies of the two cities, the earthly and the heavenly,]
SUBJECT (Who?): I
---------------------------
PREDICATE (Does what?): must first explain
OBJECT / Complement: the reasonings by which men have attempted to make for themselves a happiness in this unhappy life
PURPOSE (Why?): in order that it may be evident ... how the empty dreams ... differ ...
(The adverbial subordinate clause at the start sets context/condition for the main sentence.)
3) Word-by-word exemplar parse (parts of speech + short role comment)
Below is a model parse — study it, then complete the worksheet that follows.
| Word | Part of speech | Role / comment |
|---|---|---|
| As | subordinating conjunction | introduces opening adverbial clause (condition/context) |
| I | pronoun (subject) | subject of "see" inside the opening clause |
| see | verb (present) | matrix verb of opening clause: "I see" = 'I perceive/understand' |
| that | subordinating conjunction (complementizer) | introduces content clause: "that I have still to discuss ..." (object of "see") |
| I | pronoun (subject) | subject of embedded clause "I have still to discuss" |
| have | auxiliary / verb | part of idiom "have to discuss" (need/obligation) |
| still | adverb | modifies "have" (meaning 'yet / nevertheless') |
| to | infinitive marker | marks infinitive "discuss" |
| discuss | verb (infinitive) | main verb of embedded clause |
| the | definite article | determiner for "fit destinies" |
| fit | adjective | modifies "destinies" (proper/right) |
| destinies | noun (plural) | object of "discuss" |
| of | preposition | introduces prepositional phrase modifying "destinies" |
| the | definite article | determiner for "two cities" |
| two | numeral adjective | modifies "cities" |
| cities | noun (plural) | object of preposition "of" |
| , | punctuation | sets off the apposition |
| the | definite article | determiner for "earthly" phrase |
| earthly | adjective | modifies implied noun "city" (appositive) |
| and | coordinating conjunction | links "earthly" and "the heavenly" |
| the | definite article | determiner for "heavenly" |
| heavenly | adjective | modifies implied noun (appositive) |
| , | punctuation | closes opening adverbial clause |
| I | pronoun (subject) | subject of main clause |
| must | modal auxiliary | marks necessity in main clause |
| first | adverb | orders action: "first explain" |
| explain | verb (base) | main verb of the independent clause |
| , | punctuation | pause before extent clause |
| so | subordinating phrase starter (so far as) | begins a clause of extent: "so far as the limits ... allow me" |
| far | adverb | part of the phrase "so far as" |
| as | subordinating conjunction | completes "so far as" — links to clause "the limits ... allow me" |
| the | definite article | determiner for "limits" |
| limits | noun (plural) | subject of "allow" |
| of | preposition | introduces modifier "of this work" |
| this | demonstrative determiner | modifies "work" |
| work | noun | object of "of" |
| allow | verb (present) | predicate of the extent clause |
| me | pronoun (object) | object of "allow" |
| , | punctuation | closes extent clause |
| the | definite article | determiner for "reasonings" (direct object of "explain") |
| reasonings | noun (plural) | direct object (what I must explain) |
| by | preposition | introduces relative phrase "by which men have attempted ..." modifying "reasonings" |
| which | relative pronoun | refers to "reasonings"; object of the preposition "by" |
| men | noun (plural) | subject of clause "men have attempted" |
| have | auxiliary | forms present perfect with "attempted" |
| attempted | verb (past participle) | main verb of relative clause |
| to | infinitive marker | introduces purpose/infinitive "to make" |
| make | verb (infinitive) | verb inside the relative clause "attempted to make" |
| for | preposition | introduces beneficiary phrase |
| themselves | reflexive pronoun | object of "for" (beneficiaries of "make") |
| a | indefinite article | determiner for "happiness" |
| happiness | noun | object of "make" |
| in | preposition | introduces locative/prepositional phrase modifying "happiness" |
| this | demonstrative determiner | modifies "life" |
| unhappy | adjective | modifies "life" |
| life | noun | object of preposition "in" |
| , | punctuation | pause before purpose clause |
| in | preposition (start of purpose phrase) | part of "in order that" |
| order | noun (part of fixed phrase) | part of purpose phrase "in order that" |
| that | subordinating conjunction | introduces result/purpose clause "it may be evident" |
| it | pronoun (anticipatory) | dummy subject of "may be evident" (extraposed content follows later) |
| may | modal auxiliary | marks possibility in "may be evident" |
| be | copular verb | linking verb with predicate adjective "evident" |
| evident | adjective | predicate adjective |
| , | punctuation | pause before correlative phrase |
| not | adverb | part of correlative "not only" |
| only | adverb | part of correlative "not only" |
| from | preposition | introduces source "divine authority" |
| divine | adjective | modifies "authority" |
| authority | noun | object of "from" |
| , | punctuation | pause inside correlative pair |
| but | coordinating conjunction | start of "but also" (correlative) |
| also | adverb | paired with "but" in correlative |
| from | preposition | introduces second source "such reasons ..." |
| such | determiner | modifies "reasons" (of that kind) |
| reasons | noun (plural) | object of preposition "from" |
| as | relative conjunction | introduces relative clause modifying "reasons": "as can be adduced to unbelievers" |
| can | modal auxiliary | forms passive "can be adduced" |
| be | auxiliary / copula (passive part) | forms passive with "adduced" |
| adduced | past participle | main verb in passive relative clause |
| to | preposition | introduces indirect object "unbelievers" |
| unbelievers | noun (plural) | object of "to" |
| , | punctuation | pause before content clause introduced by "how" |
| how | subordinating/relative adverb | introduces clause of manner/content: "how ... differ" |
| the | definite article | determiner for "empty dreams" |
| empty | adjective | modifies "dreams" |
| dreams | noun (plural) | subject of "differ" |
| of | preposition | introduces modifier "of the philosophers" |
| the | definite article | determiner for "philosophers" |
| philosophers | noun (plural) | object of "of" |
| differ | verb (present) | main verb of the "how" clause |
| from | preposition | introduces a comparison source "the hope which God gives to us" |
| the | definite article | determiner for "hope" |
| hope | noun | object of preposition "from" |
| which | relative pronoun | introduces relative clause "which God gives to us" modifying "hope" |
| God | proper noun / noun | subject of the relative clause |
| gives | verb (present) | verb of relative clause |
| to | preposition | introduces indirect object "us" |
| us | pronoun (object) | indirect object of "gives" |
| , | punctuation | pause before coordination |
| and | coordinating conjunction | links the two things from which they differ |
| from | preposition | introduces second comparison source "the substantial fulfillment..." |
| the | definite article | determiner for "substantial fulfillment" |
| substantial | adjective | modifies "fulfillment" |
| fulfillment | noun | object of preposition "from" |
| of | preposition | introduces modifier "of it" |
| it | pronoun | refers to "hope" |
| which | relative pronoun | begins relative clause "which He will give us as our blessedness" |
| He | pronoun (subject) | subject of relative clause (God) |
| will | modal auxiliary | future marker |
| give | verb (base) | main verb of relative clause |
| us | pronoun (object) | indirect/direct object of "give" |
| as | preposition | introduces role "as our blessedness" |
| our | possessive determiner | modifies "blessedness" |
| blessedness | noun | complement of "as" (how He will give it) |
| . | punctuation | full stop — end of sentence |
4) Student worksheet (copy this into your notebook and fill the blanks)
Instruction: Under each word write the part of speech (e.g., noun, verb, pronoun, adjective, adverb, preposition, conjunction, article/determiner, relative pronoun). In the right column write the clause/phrase role (e.g. subject, object, relative pronoun introducing relative clause, adverbial clause marker).
(Here is a printable line you can trace; each "______" is where you write.)
As ______ (_________________) I ______ (_________________) see ______ (_________________) that ______ (_________________) I ______ (_________________) have ______ (_________________) still ______ (_________________) to ______ (_________________) discuss ______ (_________________) the ______ (_________________) fit ______ (_________________) destinies ______ (_________________) of ______ (_________________) the ______ (_________________) two ______ (_________________) cities ______ (_________________) ,
the ______ (_________________) earthly ______ (_________________) and ______ (_________________) the ______ (_________________) heavenly ______ (_________________) ,
I ______ (_________________) must ______ (_________________) first ______ (_________________) explain ______ (_________________) ,
so ______ (_________________) far ______ (_________________) as ______ (_________________) the ______ (_________________) limits ______ (_________________) of ______ (_________________) this ______ (_________________) work ______ (_________________) allow ______ (_________________) me ______ (_________________) ,
the ______ (_________________) reasonings ______ (_________________) by ______ (_________________) which ______ (_________________) men ______ (_________________) have ______ (_________________) attempted ______ (_________________) to ______ (_________________) make ______ (_________________) for ______ (_________________) themselves ______ (_________________) a ______ (_________________) happiness ______ (_________________) in ______ (_________________) this ______ (_________________) unhappy ______ (_________________) life ______ (_________________) ,
in ______ (_________________) order ______ (_________________) that ______ (_________________) it ______ (_________________) may ______ (_________________) be ______ (_________________) evident ______ (_________________) ,
not ______ (_________________) only ______ (_________________) from ______ (_________________) divine ______ (_________________) authority ______ (_________________) , but ______ (_________________) also ______ (_________________) from ______ (_________________) such ______ (_________________) reasons ______ (_________________) as ______ (_________________) can ______ (_________________) be ______ (_________________) adduced ______ (_________________) to ______ (_________________) unbelievers ______ (_________________) ,
how ______ (_________________) the ______ (_________________) empty ______ (_________________) dreams ______ (_________________) of ______ (_________________) the ______ (_________________) philosophers ______ (_________________) differ ______ (_________________) from ______ (_________________) the ______ (_________________) hope ______ (_________________) which ______ (_________________) God ______ (_________________) gives ______ (_________________) to ______ (_________________) us ______ (_________________) ,
and ______ (_________________) from ______ (_________________) the ______ (_________________) substantial ______ (_________________) fulfillment ______ (_________________) of ______ (_________________) it ______ (_________________) which ______ (_________________) He ______ (_________________) will ______ (_________________) give ______ (_________________) us ______ (_________________) as ______ (_________________) our ______ (_________________) blessedness ______ (_________________) .
5) Phrase and clause checklist (label these on your copy):
- Opening adverbial clause: "As I see that I have still to discuss the fit destinies of the two cities, the earthly and the heavenly,"
- Main clause: "I must first explain"
- Extent clause (adverbial): "so far as the limits of this work allow me,"
- Direct object noun phrase: "the reasonings by which men have attempted to make for themselves a happiness in this unhappy life,"
- Purpose/result clause: "in order that it may be evident ..."
- Correlative phrase: "not only from divine authority, but also from such reasons as can be adduced to unbelievers,"
- Content clause of manner/mode: "how the empty dreams ... differ ..." with embedded relative clauses modifying "hope" and "fulfillment"
6) Exemplar annotations & comments (teacher model)
What a perfect (exemplar) parse looks like: you identify every part-of-speech correctly, mark each clause's function (adverbial, relative, purpose), and show the T-model with the subject "I" and predicate "must first explain" and label the long NP as the object. In speech rehearsal you memorize the whole sentence, pause at commas and at the correlative "not only ... but also", emphasize contrast (dreams vs. hope), and deliver with controlled breathing for the long clauses.
Exemplar (detailed feedback points)
- Parts of speech: 100% correct (every determiner, preposition, modal, and relative pronoun accurately labeled).
- Clause function: Opening clause marked as adverbial; "that"-clause inside opening clause marked as complement of "see"; "in order that" marked as purpose/result clause; relative clauses marked as modifiers of "reasonings", "hope", and "fulfillment".
- T-model: Subject left column = 'I' ; Predicate right column = 'must first explain [NP + purpose clause]'.
- Performance: memorized; pauses at commas; expressive contrast on "empty dreams" and rising tone on "hope which God gives to us"; consistent Ally McBeal playful aside between clauses.
Proficient (what good looks like)
- Most parts of speech labeled correctly (1–2 small errors possible, e.g., mislabeling a determiner as adjective).
- Correctly marks the main clause and recognizes main object NP and purpose clause; may need help labeling a subordinate relative clause.
- T-model present with subject and predicate labeled; minor omission of embedded clause detail allowed.
- Performance: mostly memorized with natural pauses and clear contrast though one or two phrases are read rather than performed.
Meeting / Developing
- Identifies main verb and subject but confuses several small POS (e.g., 'which' vs 'that', or passive construction labels).
- Recognizes the sentence as complex but mislabels one or two clause functions (calls a purpose clause an object clause, for example).
- T-model attempted but missing a clause box or a phrase label.
- Performance: reads aloud with appropriate pauses but without dramatic contrast or memorization; pronunciation and breath control need work.
Beginning (next steps)
- Find and mark the main subject and verb first. Work step-by-step: first find independent clause, then find subordinating conjunctions and relative pronouns.
- Common beginner errors: treating "that" as an adjective rather than a subordinating conjunction; treating "which" like a relative adjective; missing "in order that" as a purpose marker.
- Performance: reads in a flat voice; practice with chunking the sentence into 3–4 rehearseable parts.
7) Mock-court / Ally McBeal cadence: rehearsal notes and short monologue model
Style idea: Imagine you're an eloquent lawyer in a mock-courtroom who also drops witty, confidential asides to the jury (like Ally McBeal's charming, conversational pauses). Use legal diction but friendly cadence, with small comedic beats between long clauses. Mark pauses at commas, stronger pause at major clause boundaries, small rise at contrast words, and falling tone at the ends of main clauses.
Practical rehearsal steps (memorization + acting):
- Chunk the sentence into 4 sections: (A) opening adverbial clause, (B) main clause + extent phrase, (C) object NP, (D) purpose clause with contrasts.
- Memorize section A, then add B, then C, then D. Practice transitions with breath: inhale before each comma; shorter exhales for commas, longer pauses at semantically heavy commas.
- Mark your script: underline "not only" and "but also" — these get a small musical lift on "not only" and a pointed stress on "but also".
- Use an Ally McBeal aside: after "the earthly and the heavenly," drop your voice to a conspiratorial whisper for a single beat and smile — then return to formal tone for the court presentation.
Short exemplar spoken model (notes for delivery):
(Bright, slightly theatrical) "As I see that I have still to discuss the fit destinies of the two cities — (lean in; conspiratorial) the earthly and the heavenly — (restore formal voice) I must first explain, so far as the limits of this work allow me, the reasonings by which men have attempted to make for themselves a happiness in this unhappy life, in order that it may be evident — (small pause; then with contrast) not only from divine authority, but also from such reasons as can be adduced to unbelievers — (rise slightly) how the empty dreams of the philosophers differ from the hope which God gives to us, and from the substantial fulfillment of it which He will give us as our blessedness."
Performance rubric (quick):
- Exemplar: memorized; controlled breathing; clear emphasis on contrasts; convincing Ally McBeal aside; dynamic pitch; 10/10.
- Proficient: mostly memorized; correct pauses and emphasis on the correlative; minor intonation slips; 7–8/10.
- Meeting: reads with proper pauses but limited expressive contrast; 5–6/10.
- Beginning: reads without pause or contrast; needs chunking practice; 1–4/10.
8) Quick practice checklist for the student (do these in order)
- Find the independent clause and underline it: "I must first explain."
- Circle subordinating conjunctions: As, that, so far as, in order that, how.
- Bracket each relative clause (which ... ) and label what it modifies.
- Fill the worksheet blanks for parts of speech.
- Sketch a T-model showing the subject and predicate and put the main object NP under the predicate.
- Rehearse the four chunks aloud until each chunk is memorized.
- Practice the Ally McBeal aside once or twice and mark it in your text.
If you want, paste your completed worksheet back here and I will give detailed feedback on your parse and your planned delivery (where to stress, where to breathe, which clause to mark for function). Good luck — and have fun arguing with Augustine in mock-court!