Sentence Parsing & Cornell Notes: Augustine (City of God) — Michael Clay Thompson T‑Model, Color‑Coded Parts of Speech, Ally McBeal Cadence (no age)

Step‑by‑step, color‑coded Michael Clay Thompson style parsing of a long Augustine sentence: parts of speech for every word, clause and phrase ID, sentence‑type and structure, Cornell notes, flashcard set, and a printable blank T‑model template for student practice.

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Original sentence (for reference)

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.

Legend — color key for parts of speech

(Used throughout the annotated sentence and flashcards)

Noun Verb Adjective Adverb Pronoun Preposition Determiner / Article / Numeral Conjunction / Subordinator Auxiliary / Modal / Participle Other (marker, punctuation)

1) Word‑by‑word color‑coded parts of speech (Michael Clay Thompson style)

Each word is shown with its part of speech label. Use this to trace function and then build up clauses and the T‑model.

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.

2) Short, comical "Ally McBeal" cadence guide (where to pause & emphasize)

Read this aloud with theatrical, halting cadence like Ally McBeal: annotate pauses (breath), quick dips (childlike aside), and emphasis.

(Breath) As I see — [short beat] that I have still to discuss the fit destinies of the two cities — (tiny laugh) the earthly and the heavenly — [longer beat] I must, first, explain — (whisper) so far as the limits of this work allow me — [firm] the reasonings by which men have attempted to make for themselves a happiness in this unhappy life — (sigh) 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. [Final, reverent pause]

3) Clause & phrase map (step‑by‑step T‑model prep)

  1. Main clause: I must first explain the reasonings... (subject = I; predicate = must explain; direct object = the reasonings)
  2. Introductory subordinate clause (adverbial/explanatory): As I see that I have still to discuss the fit destinies of the two cities, the earthly and the heavenly
  3. Parenthetical limiter: so far as the limits of this work allow me (adverbial, limits the force of explain)
  4. Relative clause modifying reasonings: by which men have attempted to make for themselves a happiness in this unhappy life
  5. Purpose/result clause: in order that it may be evident ... how the empty dreams ... differ ... and from the substantial fulfillment ...
  6. Inside the purpose clause: Not only ... but also ... (paired prepositional phrases showing sources); inside the "how" clause is a content clause explaining what should be evident.

4) Sentence type & structure

Type: Declarative (statement).
Structure: Compound‑complex (a main clause plus multiple subordinate clauses and coordinate elements). It is also stylistically a periodic sentence — key idea (I must explain) is delayed by long introductory and modifying material.

5) Michael Clay Thompson parsing steps (how to parse this sentence, step by step)

  1. Find the verbs (finite verbs first): see, have, discuss (infinitive), must, explain, allow, have attempted, make (infinitive), may be, can be adduced, differ, gives, will give.
  2. Find the main clause containing the main finite verb that completes the thought: "I must first explain ..."
  3. Find the subject(s) of each finite verb: I (see), I (have), I (must explain), limits (allow), men (have attempted), it (may be), reasons (can be adduced), dreams (differ), God (gives), He (will give).
  4. Identify objects and complements: direct object of explain = the reasonings by which...; of make = a happiness; complement of evident = how ... differ ...
  5. Label phrases: Prepositional phrases: of the two cities; by which; for themselves; in this unhappy life; from divine authority; to unbelievers; of the philosophers; from the hope; of it. Appositive adjectives: the earthly and the heavenly (appositive modifiers of cities).
  6. Mark subordinate clauses: content clauses (that I have ...), relative clauses (by which men have attempted ...; which God gives ...; which He will give ...), purpose/result clause (in order that it may be evident ...), noun clause introduced by how (how the empty dreams ... differ ...).

6) Cornell‑notes style quick study (left = cue/questions, right = notes)

Cues / Questions
  • What is the main clause?
  • Which clauses modify it?
  • Where are the relative clauses?
  • What is the purpose clause?
  • Sentence type & tone?
Notes / Answers
  • Main clause: "I must first explain (the reasonings...)". Subject = I; predicate = must explain; direct object = the reasonings.
  • Modifiers: Introductory "As I see that I have still to discuss..." explains why he must explain. Parenthetical "so far as the limits of this work allow me" limits his explanation.
  • Relative clauses: "by which men have attempted..." modifies reasonings; "which God gives" modifies hope; "which He will give" modifies fulfillment.
  • Purpose/result clause: "in order that it may be evident ... how ... differ ..." — expresses the aim of his explaining.
  • Type: Declarative, complex‑compound, periodic, formal and rhetorical in tone.

Summary (one line): Augustine is saying: because I must still discuss the destinies of both cities, I will first explain the philosophers' reasonings and show — by authority and argument — how those empty dreams differ from the hope and fulfillment God gives.

7) Printable T‑model parsing template (student practice) — blanks to fill

Use this as a one‑page worksheet: left side = label box (fill in), right side = place the words/phrases from the sentence. The right column here is filled with suggested answers; print the first blank template below for practice without answers.

Template (blank) — for printing

Subject (_____) (fill subject here)
Main verb / predicate (_____) (fill predicate here)
Direct object / complement (_____) (fill DO/complement here)
Introductory clause (_____) (fill intro clause)
Purpose clause (_____) (fill purpose clause)
Relative clause(s) (_____) (fill relative clauses)

Answer key for the T‑model (check your work)

SubjectI
Main verb / predicatemust first explain
Direct object / complementthe reasonings (by which men have attempted to make for themselves a happiness in this unhappy life)
Introductory clauseAs I see that I have still to discuss the fit destinies of the two cities, the earthly and the heavenly
Purpose clausein order that it may be evident ... how the empty dreams ... differ ... and from the substantial fulfillment ... which He will give us as our blessedness
Relative clause(s)by which men have attempted to make for themselves a happiness...; which God gives to us; which He will give us

8) Short set of color‑coded flashcards (study these quickly)

Flip these mentally: left = word, right = POS & function.

destinies — Noun (direct object of discuss; plural)
explain — Verb (main lexical verb in main clause)
first — Adverb (order/sequence modifier of explain)
heavenly — Adjective (modifier; appositive to cities)
Which — Relative pronoun (introduces relative clauses)
in order that — Subordinator (introduces purpose/result clause)
differ — Verb (predicate of noun clause introduced by how)
the — Article / Determiner (defines noun following)

9) Quick practice tasks (3 minutes)

  1. Circle all finite verbs in the sentence (those that show tense or modality): see, have, must, allow, have (attempted), may, can, differ, gives, will.
  2. Underline the main clause. Then bracket all subordinate clauses and label them (adverbial, relative, noun/content).
  3. Write the function of the phrase "the earthly and the heavenly" (answer: appositive adjectives modifying "cities").

If you want, I can now (a) give you a printable one‑page worksheet version of the blank T‑model, (b) create digital fill‑in fields so you can type answers directly, or (c) step through the parsing live with you—one clause at a time. Which would you like?

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