Ally McBeal Cadence Cornell Flashcards for a 10-year-old — Annotating Concessive and Causal Connectors in Augustine's City of God

Simple Cornell-style flashcards for a 10-year-old showing how to mark concessive subordinators (blue) and causal/inferential connectors (orange) in Augustine’s passage. Includes cadence notes and whether the concession becomes evidence (a turn) or disappears (a pivot).

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Quick guide (for a 10-year-old)

We will read one short paragraph from Augustine and make small flashcards like Cornell notes. We will:

  1. Mark concessive words in blue (these are words that say "even though" or show a limit).
  2. Mark causal or inferential connectors in orange (these are words that show purpose, reason, or cause).
  3. Write a short cadence note (like Ally McBeal’s talking-to-herself rhythm): where the speaker would pause, soften voice, or make it stronger.
  4. Decide if the concession becomes evidence later (a turn) or is just dismissed (a pivot).

Passage (short parts with color marks and cadence)

As I see that I have still to discuss the fit destinies of the two cities, the earthly and the heavenly, [cadence: quiet, thoughtful; pause after 'cities']

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, [cadence: steady, a little quicker to show purpose]

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. [cadence: building to a stronger finish; emphasis on 'differ' and 'blessedness']

Cornell-style flashcards (front / back)

Flashcard 1 — Front (Cue):
What concession does Augustine make at the start?
Back (Notes):
He admits (concession) he still has to talk about the two cities (earthly and heavenly). Cadence: quiet and thoughtful at the start — like someone saying, "I know I still have this to do." Verdict: This concession is picked up and used later, so it becomes a turn.
Flashcard 2 — Front (Cue):
Which words show limits or small agreement (concessive words)?
Back (Notes):
Examples in the sentence: As I see that I have still to discuss and so far as (the phrase marks a limit). Cadence tip: say these softly and pause so listeners know you are admitting something.
Flashcard 3 — Front (Cue):
Which words show cause, purpose, or reasoning?
Back (Notes):
Look for: in order that (shows purpose) and so far as the limits of this work allow me (shows a reason/limit). These are causal/inferential connectors. Cadence: speak these clearly so the listener understands why he will explain things.
Flashcard 4 — Front (Cue):
What does Augustine plan to do with the philosophers' ideas?
Back (Notes):
He will explain their reasonings so people can see how their "empty dreams" differ from God’s hope. He will use both divine authority and the philosophers' own reasons to show the difference. Cadence: builds to a stronger finish; say "differ" and "blessedness" with emphasis. This is a turn because he takes the conceded material (their reasonings) and uses it as evidence in his argument.
Flashcard 5 — Front (Cue):
Turn or Pivot?
Back (Notes):
Definition quickly: a turn = you concede something and later use it as evidence. A pivot = you concede something but then dismiss it without using it.
In this passage, Augustine admits he must discuss the two cities, then he says he will explain the philosophers' reasonings and use them (along with divine authority) to show their emptiness. So the concession becomes evidence — this is a turn.

How to practice on your own (easy steps)

  1. Read one sentence slowly and mark the telling words: concessions (blue) and cause words (orange).
  2. Write a tiny cadence note: where you would pause or make your voice louder or softer.
  3. Ask: Did the author use the thing he just admitted later as proof? If yes — label it a turn. If it disappears — label it a pivot.

Try this with other short paragraphs. Keep the colors the same so your brain learns to spot concessions and reasons fast!

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