Quick legend — highlight colors and cadence marks:
Concessive / limiting words Causal / inferential connectors
Concessive / limiting words Causal / inferential connectors
Cadence marks: / = short pause (comma), || = longer pause (period or big clause break).
How to use these flashcards (3 steps)
- Read the card aloud and follow the cadence marks (/ and ||) so the sentence rhythm is clear.
- Find and notice highlighted connectors: orange = concessive/limiting, blue = cause/inference/purpose. Ask: is the writer conceding a point or giving a reason?
- Trace the conceded idea later in the text. If the writer returns to it and uses it as evidence, that is a turn. If the writer answers or dismisses it and never uses it as evidence, that is a pivot.
Card 1 — start & cadence
As I see that I have still to discuss the fit destinies of the two cities, the earthly and the heavenly, / ||
Write: Is this a concession (Y/N)? ______
Card 2 — limit/condition
I must first explain, so far as the limits of this work allow me, /
Write: If this is a concession, note the conceded idea: __________________
Card 3 — target clause
the reasonings by which men have attempted to make for themselves a happiness in this unhappy life, /
Question: Is Augustine conceding the philosophers' point or just explaining it? ______
Card 4 — purpose / evidence
in order that it may be evident, not only from divine authority, /
Note: This is an inferential connector (shows purpose or reason).
Card 5 — more evidence
but also from such reasons as can be adduced to unbelievers, /
Write: Will Augustine use the conceded idea as evidence later? (Trace in text) Y/N ____
Card 6 — main contrast
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. ||
After reading further in the book: Did Augustine come back to any conceded point? (circle) TURN / PIVOT / NEITHER
Turn vs Pivot (short explanation)
Turn: The author concedes a point and then returns to that same point later and uses it as part of their evidence or argument. Example (simple): "Although philosophers say X, later I will show X supports my point." That is a turn.
Pivot: The author concedes a point or mentions it, then counters it and moves on without using it as evidence later. Example: "Although philosophers say X, that is false — next topic." That is a pivot.
Tip: To track turns and pivots, write the conceded idea on the card's blank line, then while reading later pages search for those words or ideas. If you find them used as evidence — mark TURN. If not — mark PIVOT.
Note about this excerpt
In this single sentence Augustine mainly sets a purpose: he will explain the philosophers' reasonings so that the difference between their "empty dreams" and the Christian hope will be clear. There is a limiting phrase (so far as the limits of this work allow me) but no clear full concession like "although." The stronger connectors here are purpose/inferential (highlighted blue). To decide TURN vs PIVOT you would need to read further: does Augustine later reuse something he appeared to concede? If yes → TURN. If he dismisses it and never uses it again → PIVOT.