Welcome, junior barrister and actor (age 11)
We will read, parse and perform one long sentence from Augustine's The City of God. Imagine a playful courtroom where you argue — in an Ally McBeal cadence (quick, musical, sometimes surprising asides) — about the destinies of two cities: the earthly and the heavenly. Your job: close read the sentence, label each word's part of speech, identify phrases and clauses, label the sentence structure and type, and then perform the line as a short memorized mock-court speech.
Instructions (step-by-step)
- Read the full sentence silently once. Then read it aloud slowly and clearly two more times.
- Use the T-model table below: left column = word (already filled), middle column = part of speech (fill in the box), right column = phrase/clause or function (fill in the circle).
- Mark the sentence structure (simple / compound / complex / compound-complex) and sentence type (declarative / interrogative / exclamatory / imperative).
- Memorize the sentence in chunks (comma by comma) and rehearse with the Ally McBeal cadence tips that follow.
- Use the rubrics to aim for Exemplar or Proficient performance.
Text to work with (read this out loud)
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.
Student worksheet: T-model (print or copy — fill the boxes ☐ and circles ○)
Columns: Word | Part of speech (☐) | Phrase / function (○)
| Word | Part of speech (☐) | Phrase / Clause / Function (○) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 As | ☐ | ○ |
| 2 I | ☐ | ○ |
| 3 see | ☐ | ○ |
| 4 that | ☐ | ○ |
| 5 I | ☐ | ○ |
| 6 have | ☐ | ○ |
| 7 still | ☐ | ○ |
| 8 to | ☐ | ○ |
| 9 discuss | ☐ | ○ |
| 10 the | ☐ | ○ |
| 11 fit | ☐ | ○ |
| 12 destinies | ☐ | ○ |
| 13 of | ☐ | ○ |
| 14 the | ☐ | ○ |
| 15 two | ☐ | ○ |
| 16 cities | ☐ | ○ |
| 17 , | — | — |
| 18 the | ☐ | ○ |
| 19 earthly | ☐ | ○ |
| 20 and | ☐ | ○ |
| 21 the | ☐ | ○ |
| 22 heavenly | ☐ | ○ |
| 23 , | — | — |
| 24 I | ☐ | ○ |
| 25 must | ☐ | ○ |
| 26 first | ☐ | ○ |
| 27 explain | ☐ | ○ |
| 28 , | — | — |
| 29 so | ☐ | ○ |
| 30 far | ☐ | ○ |
| 31 as | ☐ | ○ |
| 32 the | ☐ | ○ |
| 33 limits | ☐ | ○ |
| 34 of | ☐ | ○ |
| 35 this | ☐ | ○ |
| 36 work | ☐ | ○ |
| 37 allow | ☐ | ○ |
| 38 me | ☐ | ○ |
| 39 , | — | — |
| 40 the | ☐ | ○ |
| 41 reasonings | ☐ | ○ |
| 42 by | ☐ | ○ |
| 43 which | ☐ | ○ |
| 44 men | ☐ | ○ |
| 45 have | ☐ | ○ |
| 46 attempted | ☐ | ○ |
| 47 to | ☐ | ○ |
| 48 make | ☐ | ○ |
| 49 for | ☐ | ○ |
| 50 themselves | ☐ | ○ |
| 51 a | ☐ | ○ |
| 52 happiness | ☐ | ○ |
| 53 in | ☐ | ○ |
| 54 this | ☐ | ○ |
| 55 unhappy | ☐ | ○ |
| 56 life | ☐ | ○ |
| 57 , | — | — |
| 58 in | ☐ | ○ |
| 59 order | ☐ | ○ |
| 60 that | ☐ | ○ |
| 61 it | ☐ | ○ |
| 62 may | ☐ | ○ |
| 63 be | ☐ | ○ |
| 64 evident | ☐ | ○ |
| 65 , | — | — |
| 66 not | ☐ | ○ |
| 67 only | ☐ | ○ |
| 68 from | ☐ | ○ |
| 69 divine | ☐ | ○ |
| 70 authority | ☐ | ○ |
| 71 , | — | — |
| 72 but | ☐ | ○ |
| 73 also | ☐ | ○ |
| 74 from | ☐ | ○ |
| 75 such | ☐ | ○ |
| 76 reasons | ☐ | ○ |
| 77 as | ☐ | ○ |
| 78 can | ☐ | ○ |
| 79 be | ☐ | ○ |
| 80 adduced | ☐ | ○ |
| 81 to | ☐ | ○ |
| 82 unbelievers | ☐ | ○ |
| 83 , | — | — |
| 84 how | ☐ | ○ |
| 85 the | ☐ | ○ |
| 86 empty | ☐ | ○ |
| 87 dreams | ☐ | ○ |
| 88 of | ☐ | ○ |
| 89 the | ☐ | ○ |
| 90 philosophers | ☐ | ○ |
| 91 differ | ☐ | ○ |
| 92 from | ☐ | ○ |
| 93 the | ☐ | ○ |
| 94 hope | ☐ | ○ |
| 95 which | ☐ | ○ |
| 96 God | ☐ | ○ |
| 97 gives | ☐ | ○ |
| 98 to | ☐ | ○ |
| 99 us | ☐ | ○ |
| 100 , | — | — |
| 101 and | ☐ | ○ |
| 102 from | ☐ | ○ |
| 103 the | ☐ | ○ |
| 104 substantial | ☐ | ○ |
| 105 fulfillment | ☐ | ○ |
| 106 of | ☐ | ○ |
| 107 it | ☐ | ○ |
| 108 which | ☐ | ○ |
| 109 He | ☐ | ○ |
| 110 will | ☐ | ○ |
| 111 give | ☐ | ○ |
| 112 us | ☐ | ○ |
| 113 as | ☐ | ○ |
| 114 our | ☐ | ○ |
| 115 blessedness | ☐ | ○ |
| 116 . | — | — |
Tip: Fill the part-of-speech boxes first (noun, verb, adjective, adverb, pronoun, preposition, conjunction, article/determiner, infinitive marker, relative pronoun). Then fill the phrase/function circles (noun phrase, prepositional phrase, relative clause, adverbial clause, direct object, subject, complement).
Exemplar (fully filled T-model) — teacher's model
Below is a full exemplar T-model (teacher version). Use this to check your work.
| Word | Part of speech | Phrase / Function |
|---|---|---|
| 1 As | Subordinating conjunction | Introduces subordinate adverbial clause: 'As I see...' |
| 2 I | Pronoun (subject) | Subject of subordinate clause |
| 3 see | Verb (present) | Main verb of subordinate clause |
| 4 that | Subordinating conjunction | Introduces content clause (object of 'see') |
| 5 I | Pronoun (subject) | Subject of content clause 'I have still to discuss...' |
| 6 have | Verb (main; 'have to') | Modal-like main verb with infinitive complement |
| 7 still | Adverb | Adverb modifying 'have to' (continuing action) |
| 8 to | Infinitive marker | Introduces infinitive 'discuss' |
| 9 discuss | Verb (infinitive) | Verb complement of 'have to'; kernel: 'discuss the destinies' |
| 10 the | Article / determiner | Determiner of 'fit destinies' |
| 11 fit | Adjective | Modifier of 'destinies' ("fit" = suitable/appropriate) |
| 12 destinies | Noun (plural) | Direct object of 'discuss' (Noun phrase: 'the fit destinies') |
| 13 of | Preposition | Start of prepositional phrase 'of the two cities' modifying 'destinies' |
| 14 the | Article | Determiner of 'two cities' |
| 15 two | Numeral/determiner | Modifier of 'cities' |
| 16 cities | Noun (plural) | Object of preposition 'of' — completes 'of the two cities' |
| 17 , | Punctuation | Pauses appositive |
| 18 the | Article | Start of appositive NP 'the earthly and the heavenly' |
| 19 earthly | Adjective (used nominally) | Adjective acting as noun in apposition to 'the two cities' ("the earthly") |
| 20 and | Coordinating conjunction | Links 'the earthly' and 'the heavenly' |
| 21 the | Article | Determiner for 'heavenly' |
| 22 heavenly | Adjective (used nominally) | 'the heavenly' — second member of appositive |
| 23 , | Punctuation | End of appositive |
| 24 I | Pronoun (subject) | Subject of main clause 'I must first explain' |
| 25 must | Modal auxiliary | Shows obligation/necessity for main verb 'explain' |
| 26 first | Adverb | Adverb of order; modifies 'explain' |
| 27 explain | Verb (main) | Main verb of independent clause (predicator) |
| 28 , | Punctuation | Pause before adverbial qualifier |
| 29 so | Adverb (part of 'so far as') | Part of subordinating phrase 'so far as' (introduces limit clause) |
| 30 far | Adverb | Part of 'so far as' |
| 31 as | Subordinating conjunction | Completes 'so far as' — introduces clause 'the limits...allow me' |
| 32 the | Article | Determiner of 'limits' |
| 33 limits | Noun (plural) | Subject of 'allow' in the subordinate clause |
| 34 of | Preposition | Starts prepositional phrase 'of this work' modifying 'limits' |
| 35 this | Determiner | Determiner for 'work' |
| 36 work | Noun | Object of 'of' completing 'of this work' |
| 37 allow | Verb (present) | Main verb in subordinate clause 'the limits ... allow me' |
| 38 me | Pronoun (object) | Direct object of 'allow' (who is allowed) |
| 39 , | Punctuation | Pause before object of 'explain' |
| 40 the | Article | Determiner of 'reasonings' (direct object of 'explain') |
| 41 reasonings | Noun (plural) | Direct object of 'explain' — what he will explain |
| 42 by | Preposition | Start of prepositional phrase 'by which men have attempted...' |
| 43 which | Relative pronoun | Relates back to 'reasonings' — 'by which' = 'by means of which' |
| 44 men | Noun (plural) | Subject of relative clause 'men have attempted...' |
| 45 have | Auxiliary verb (present perfect) | Helps main verb 'attempted' |
| 46 attempted | Verb (past participle) | Main verb of relative clause ('have attempted') |
| 47 to | Infinitive marker | Introduces infinitive 'make' |
| 48 make | Verb (infinitive) | Infinitive verb complement of 'attempted' |
| 49 for | Preposition | Start of prepositional phrase 'for themselves' (purpose/benefit) |
| 50 themselves | Reflexive pronoun | Object of 'for' (beneficiaries of making) |
| 51 a | Article | Determiner for 'happiness' |
| 52 happiness | Noun | Direct object of 'make' |
| 53 in | Preposition | Begins prepositional phrase 'in this unhappy life' modifying 'happiness' (circumstance) |
| 54 this | Determiner | Determiner for 'life' |
| 55 unhappy | Adjective | Modifier of 'life' |
| 56 life | Noun | Object of preposition 'in' |
| 57 , | Punctuation | Pause before purpose clause |
| 58 in | Preposition | Start of phrase 'in order that' introducing purpose/result clause |
| 59 order | Noun | Part of phrase 'in order that' |
| 60 that | Subordinating conjunction | Introduces clause 'it may be evident...' |
| 61 it | Pronoun (subject) | Subject of clause 'it may be evident' |
| 62 may | Modal auxiliary | Expresses possibility in subordinate clause |
| 63 be | Verb (linking) | Linking verb in 'be evident' |
| 64 evident | Adjective | Predicate adjective complementing 'it' |
| 65 , | Punctuation | Pause before correlative pair |
| 66 not | Adverb (negator) | Part of correlative 'not only...' |
| 67 only | Adverb | Part of correlative 'not only...' |
| 68 from | Preposition | Start of prepositional phrase 'from divine authority' |
| 69 divine | Adjective | Modifier of 'authority' |
| 70 authority | Noun | Object of 'from' |
| 71 , | Punctuation | Pause before 'but also' |
| 72 but | Coordinating conjunction | Part of correlative 'but also' linking two sources of evidence |
| 73 also | Adverb | Partner of 'but' forming 'but also' |
| 74 from | Preposition | Start of second prepositional phrase 'from such reasons as can be adduced...' |
| 75 such | Determiner/adjective | Modifier of 'reasons' (specific kinds of reasons) |
| 76 reasons | Noun (plural) | Object of preposition 'from' |
| 77 as | Relative conjunction | Introduces relative clause modifying 'reasons' ('as can be adduced to unbelievers') |
| 78 can | Modal auxiliary | Auxiliary showing ability/possibility in passive structure |
| 79 be | Auxiliary/verb (passive) | Part of passive verb phrase 'can be adduced' |
| 80 adduced | Past participle (verb) | Main verb in passive relative clause |
| 81 to | Preposition | Introduces prepositional complement 'to unbelievers' |
| 82 unbelievers | Noun (plural) | Object of 'to' (to whom reasons can be adduced) |
| 83 , | Punctuation | Pause before reported indirect question/indirect statement |
| 84 how | Subordinating conjunction / WH word | Introduces indirect content clause: 'how the empty dreams... differ from...' |
| 85 the | Article | Determiner for 'empty dreams' |
| 86 empty | Adjective | Modifier of 'dreams' |
| 87 dreams | Noun (plural) | Subject of verb 'differ' |
| 88 of | Preposition | Start prepositional phrase 'of the philosophers' modifying 'dreams' |
| 89 the | Article | Determiner for 'philosophers' |
| 90 philosophers | Noun (plural) | Object of 'of' |
| 91 differ | Verb (present) | Main verb of clause 'dreams differ from the hope...' |
| 92 from | Preposition | Start of prepositional phrase 'from the hope which God gives to us' (shows comparison) |
| 93 the | Article | Determiner for 'hope' |
| 94 hope | Noun | Object of 'from' (what 'dreams' are compared to) |
| 95 which | Relative pronoun | Introduces relative clause modifying 'hope' ('which God gives to us') |
| 96 God | Noun (proper) | Subject of relative clause 'God gives...' |
| 97 gives | Verb (present) | Main verb of relative clause |
| 98 to | Preposition | Introduces indirect object 'to us' |
| 99 us | Pronoun (object) | Object of preposition 'to' |
| 100 , | Punctuation | Pause before second comparison |
| 101 and | Coordinating conjunction | Connects this comparison to another: 'and from the substantial fulfillment...' |
| 102 from | Preposition | Start of prepositional phrase 'from the substantial fulfillment...' |
| 103 the | Article | Determiner for 'fulfillment' |
| 104 substantial | Adjective | Modifier of 'fulfillment' |
| 105 fulfillment | Noun | Object of preposition 'from' — second item of comparison |
| 106 of | Preposition | Starts 'of it' (linking fulfillment to hope) |
| 107 it | Pronoun | Refers back to 'hope' |
| 108 which | Relative pronoun | Introduces relative clause modifying 'fulfillment' ('which He will give us as our blessedness') |
| 109 He | Pronoun (subject) | Subject (God) of relative clause |
| 110 will | Modal auxiliary (future) | Part of future tense 'will give' |
| 111 give | Verb | Main verb of relative clause |
| 112 us | Pronoun (object) | Indirect object of 'give' |
| 113 as | Preposition | Marks the role/identity: 'as our blessedness' |
| 114 our | Possessive determiner | Determiner of 'blessedness' |
| 115 blessedness | Noun | Object of 'as' (what He will give us as) |
| 116 . | Punctuation | End of sentence |
Sentence structure and type (exemplar answer): This is a complex sentence (one main independent clause I must first explain with multiple subordinate clauses: an initial adverbial clause introduced by 'As', content clause after 'see that', relative clauses (by which, as can be adduced, which God gives..., which He will give...), and purpose/result clause 'in order that it may be evident'. Sentence type: declarative.
Scaffolded feedback & rubrics (parsing and performance)
Use these levels to check your parsing accuracy and your memorized oral performance. Read them carefully — each level tells you what to improve.
PARSE: Exemplar (A) — model answers and comments
- Accuracy: Every word labeled correctly (parts of speech for all 116 words) and every phrase/clause identified (appositive, relative clauses, prepositional phrases, purpose clause).
- Comments: Shows careful attention to function (e.g., 'the earthly and the heavenly' marked as appositive noun phrases; 'by which' correctly treated as prepositional + relative pronoun meaning 'by means of which').
PARSE: Proficient (B)
- Success criteria: 85–95% correct labels. All main clauses and most phrases identified. Some small errors in tagging modals/infinitives or in labeling 'which' as relative pronoun vs conjunction.
- Comments: Good control of noun/verb/adjective differences. Re-check tricky items: 'have still to discuss' — 'have' is main verb with infinitive complement; 'to' is infinitive marker, not a preposition here.
PARSE: Meeting (C)
- Success criteria: 60–84% correct. Most nouns and verbs correct, but missing or mislabeling several prepositions, relative pronouns, or phrase boundaries. Might call 'which' a conjunction or miss the appositive.
- Comments: Practice by chunking the sentence. Label whole noun phrases first, then find the verbs and clauses.
PARSE: Beginning (D)
- Success criteria: Less than 60% correct. Many unlabeled items or wrong POS. Might label everything as 'noun' or 'verb'.
- Comments: Revisit parts of speech definitions (noun, verb, adjective, adverb, pronoun, preposition, conjunction, article/determiner). Use the text in shorter chunks: label a five-word phrase at a time.
PERFORMANCE: Memorized mock-court speech (Ally McBeal cadence) — rubric and tips
Imagine you are on a playful courtroom stage. Your speech should have clear diction, meaning, and a theatrical rhythm. Use the following performance rubric and tips.
Performance rubric — four levels
- Exemplar (A): Memorized the whole sentence in chunks, fluid delivery, expressive pitch and timing (Ally McBeal-like little hums or expressive under-breaths in safe spots), clear rhythm: legal clarity + comic musicality. Accurate meaning: student can briefly explain each clause after performing. Uses small gestures, eye contact, and pausing at commas.
- Proficient (B): Mostly memorized with 1–2 small hesitations; clear words; good pacing; shows understanding of main clause and one or two subordinate clauses. Gesture and cadence used but less varied.
- Meeting (C): Reads more than memorizes; some meaningful pauses; chunking is attempted but delivery is halting. Understands main point but less confident about clause links.
- Beginning (D): Reading word-by-word, many hesitations, little expression. Needs to break sentence into much smaller chunks and practice word groups.
Ally McBeal cadence tips (playful legalese)
- Chunk the text by commas and phrases. Make each chunk its own small musical line.
- Use vocal variety: raise pitch slightly at the ends of some appositive phrases for an expectant effect (e.g., 'the earthly and the heavenly' — give each adjective a tiny melodic lift), then drop for legal seriousness on 'I must first explain.'
- Use short, whimsical asides (very quiet, like a thought) on small words: whisper 'still' or 'empty' to add character. But keep the legal clarity for main verbs like 'explain' and 'differ.'
- Pauses: Commas = short pause; long clause boundaries = breathe and hold slightly longer. Use pauses to show logical stops for the judge to consider.
- Gesture: point to an imagined jury when you say 'unbelievers' or 'men', sweep one hand when you say 'the earthly and the heavenly'. Keep gestures small and precise — court-like.
- Lawyerly diction: pronounce endings (–ed, –s). Open vowel sounds for clarity (say 'evi-dent' cleanly).
Short exemplar oral model (what to memorize in chunks)
(Stage direction: Stand politely, half-smile, hands relaxed.)
Chunk 1 (slow & clear): "As I see that I have still to discuss the fit destinies of the two cities — the earthly and the heavenly," (pause; small melodic lift on 'earthly', 'heavenly')
Chunk 2 (firm, legal): "I must first explain," (short pause; assertive)
Chunk 3 (measured, explanatory): "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," (breathe)
Chunk 4 (purposeful): "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," (give a small playful aside on 'empty dreams')
Chunk 5 (resolute, almost a benediction): "and from the substantial fulfillment of it which He will give us as our blessedness." (finish with a calm downward pitch)
After each chunk, pause, look at the audience (jury/teacher), and imagine you have one sentence to convince them. That helps with natural emphasis.
Quick checklist for self-marking after performance
- Did I pause at commas and breathe at clause breaks? (Yes / No)
- Could my listener tell the main verb and subject of the independent clause? (Yes / No) — If no, review clause boundaries.
- Did I change my voice a little for the appositive 'the earthly and the heavenly'? (Yes / No)
- Did I explain in one sentence (after performing) what the sentence means? (Yes / No)
If you want, paste your filled-in T-model back to me and I will mark it and give specific corrections and a short script tweak to make your Ally McBeal cadence even better. Bravo — you just combined grammar, history and theatre in one courtroom-ready activity!