DUAL DIPLOMA

Composition & Literature 2A

Your Name: Lorena Almeida de Pazolini

Your Email Address: lorena.pazolini@davincionline.com.br

School: C.E. Leonardo da Vinci

Classroom Teacher’s Name: John Davies

Download and save this template as a Word doc with your name and
the assignment number and title, like this:

lastname_firstname_CL2A_Lesson5_LollipopMoment

Complete this template. When your assignment is just the way you
like it, submit it to Canvas for a grade.

Comp & Lit 2A

Lesson 5 Midterm Exam Writing Assignment

Personal Anecdote:

Write a two-paragraph personal anecdote and analysis of a

“lollipop moment,” a moment when either you demonstrated
leadership by making a change in someone’s life OR someone
else demonstrated leadership by making a change in yours.

This lollipop moment could be a time when you demonstrated

leadership by:
● helping someone else succeed
● doing something thoughtful for someone else
● inspiring someone else to make a difference

This lollipop moment could, instead, be a time someone else

demonstrated leadership by:
● helping you succeed
● doing something thoughtful for you
● inspiring you to make a difference

Remember that an anecdote is a short, true story that is funny or

interesting. It’s the kind of story you might tell when hanging out
with friends or around your family’s kitchen table at dinner time.

Your two-paragraph anecdote will be structured in the following

Page 1 of 12 All rights reserved

© 2023 — Curators of the University of Missouri
 DUAL DIPLOMA
Composition & Literature 2A

way:

1. The first paragraph should be the actual anecdote—the

short, true story.
2. The second paragraph should be an analysis of how this
one act of leadership made a positive difference.

Please refer to the notes you took in the Writing Workshop as you
draft and revise your anecdote.

Topic
In the space below, rewrite the following sentences from the
Writing Workshop that briefly explain your anecdote.
I am going to write about….
This story is an example of leadership because….

I am going to write about the time a close friend of mine was struggling in the

Portuguese class and scored really low grades on the subject. This story is an

example of leadership because I helped him understand the material better and

improve his grades, which also inspired me to continue assisting others in need.

Prewrite
Use the space below to organize your ideas for each paragraph.

Use this section to develop your first paragraph.

In the space below, write your anecdote. Refer to your work in
the Lesson 5 Writing Workshop to create an opening sentence
that hooks readers’ interest, 5-7 supporting sentences that
develop your anecdote, and a concluding sentence that explains
how the experience made a positive difference.
Opening Sentence: Write one sentence that engages, or hooks,
readers’ interest and serves as a start to your anecdote.

Have you ever seen a close friend of yours struggling in a subject and felt really

bad for him?

Page 2 of 12 All rights reserved

© 2023 — Curators of the University of Missouri
 DUAL DIPLOMA
Composition & Literature 2A

Middle Sentences: Write several sentences that develop your anecdote. Make
sure that your story has a beginning, middle, and an end. Remember to add
sensory details so that you are “showing” your story instead of just “telling” it.

This happened to me during High School, when my friend Carlos, who had

always been a straight-A student, was having a rough time studying Portuguese

grammar and vocabulary. His grades were slipping, and his usual confident

attitude was replaced with frustration and worry. One day after school, I saw him

sitting alone in the library, staring blankly at his textbook with a look of

discourage. His shoulders were slumped, and the furrow I’m his brow spoke

volumes. I couldn’t just stand by and watch him struggle, as I had experienced a

similar situation when I scored a poor grade on a Mathematics test. During that

time, I felt defeated, completely useless and I couldn’t see him struggle just the

way I did. I knew how he felt and I knew I could make him feel better. Therefore, I

approached him and offered my help. We began meeting regularly in the library

after classes, going over lessons and working through exercises together. I

explained the concepts using visual aids and practical examples, and we even

made flashcards to drill vocabulary. Occasionally, I would bring him his favorite

snack from the nearby café, hoping to lift his spirits. Each session, I watched as

his eyes gradually lost their weariness and his frown was replaced with a

determined set of his jaw, a spark of hope reigniting in him. As the days went by,

the library became our haven, filled with the comforting scent of old books and

the soothing sound of pages turning. Carlos's initial frustration, a palpable cloud

of tension, gradually gave way to a quiet determination. Our study sessions

transformed into a ritual, each one marked by the steady progress we made

together. The library, once an intimidating labyrinth of information, became a

Page 3 of 12 All rights reserved

© 2023 — Curators of the University of Missouri
 DUAL DIPLOMA
Composition & Literature 2A

second home, its quiet corners our sanctuary. The rustling of pages, the

occasional sigh of exasperation, and the shared silence of concentration created

a symphony of shared effort and mutual support. Finally, the day of the exam

arrived, bringing with it a mixture of anxiety and anticipation. As Carlos walked

into the classroom, I could see the confidence radiating from his posture, a stark

contrast to the uncertainty he had once felt. Weeks of hard work and

perseverance had sculpted a new version of him, one who believed in his own

abilities. During the test, I watched from a distance, my own nerves on edge, as

he confidently tackled each question. His pen moved steadily across the paper,

his expression focused and assured. The clock ticked away, but Carlos remained

unflustered, his preparation evident in every deliberate answer he wrote. When

the results were announced, the room was filled with a hushed anticipation. As

the top scores were read aloud, Carlos's name stood proudly at the top of the

list. His grade was not just a testament to his intellectual capability but a powerful

symbol of what determination and friendship could achieve. The smile that

graced his face was one of triumph, relief, and profound gratitude. In that

moment, all the long hours, the moments of doubt, and the relentless studying

had been worth it. His success was a shared victory, one that underscored the

transformative power of perseverance and the unwavering support of a friend.

Concluding Sentence: Write one sentence that wraps up your anecdote with a
connection to leadership.

Concluding, through this event I realized that true leadership is about helping

others recognize their own challenges and develop specific strategies to

overcome them, fostering trust in their own potential.

Page 4 of 12 All rights reserved

© 2023 — Curators of the University of Missouri
 DUAL DIPLOMA
Composition & Literature 2A

Use this section to develop your second paragraph.

In the space below, write your analysis. This paragraph answers
the question, “Why did I choose this anecdote?” It should be five
to seven sentences long and should explain how this one act of
leadership made a positive difference. Review Shelf 12 in our
Learning Library for strategies to organize and develop strong
paragraphs. https://bit.ly/3woqUFB

Topic Sentence: Write one sentence that is a transition sentence from the first
paragraph. It should state how your anecdote demonstrates leadership.

This experience with Carlos demonstrated leadership by showing how taking

initiative and providing consistent support can transform someone’s struggle into

success.

Supporting Sentences: Write 5-7 sentences that use examples and details to
explain how and why this anecdote demonstrates leadership.

This anecdote demonstrates leadership through the act of recognizing a friend's

struggle and taking the initiative to offer support. Helping Carlos wasn’t just about

improving his grades; it was about restoring his confidence and showing him that

he wasn't alone. By creating a structured study plan and using varied teaching

methods, I was able to make the learning process more engaging and effective

for him. Bringing his favorite snack from the café was an act of kindness and a

way to keep his spirits high, showing that I cared about his well-being. This

consistent support helped Carlos transform his frustration into determination,

ultimately leading to his academic success. Watching him tackle the exam with

newfound confidence underscored the impact of our collaborative effort. His top

grade was a testament to his hard work and also to power of empathy and

persistence.

Page 5 of 12 All rights reserved

© 2023 — Curators of the University of Missouri
 DUAL DIPLOMA
Composition & Literature 2A

Concluding Sentence: End with a sentence that reinforces how this anecdote
made a positive difference in either your or someone else’s life.

Ultimately, this experience reinforced the importance of offering genuine support

and encouragement, demonstrating that leadership is about helping others

realize and reach their potential.

Draft:
In the space below, draft your assignment. Your two-paragraph
anecdote will be structured in the following way:

1. The first paragraph should be the actual anecdote—the

short, true story.
2. The second paragraph should be an analysis of how this
one act of leadership made a positive difference.

Please refer to the notes you took in the Writing Workshop as you
draft and revise your anecdote.

In the space below, write a first draft of two complete

paragraphs based on your prewriting, above. Use correct
paragraph form (no bullets or numbers, full sentences, two units
of 5-10 sentences).

Page 6 of 12 All rights reserved

© 2023 — Curators of the University of Missouri
 DUAL DIPLOMA
Composition & Literature 2A

Ever seen a close friend struggling in a subject and kind of bad for him? This

happened to me in high school when my friend Carlos usually a straight-A

student, was having difficult time with Portuguese grammar and vocabulary. His

grades were worse and his usual confident attitude was now a frustration and

worry. One day after school I found him alone in the library shoulders slumped,

staring blankly at his textbook with a look of discouragement. Remembering my

own struggles with math I approached him and offered to help; we met regularly

in the library after classes going over lessons and working through exercises

together and even using visual aids and flashcards to understand the stuff.

Sometimes I would bring him his favorite snack from the nearby café, hoping to

lift his spirits. Gradually his eyes lost their weariness and his determination grew,

and the library became our heaven (filled with the comforting scent of old books).

On the day of the exam I saw from a distance the confidence radiating from him

as he tackled each question. When the results were announced, Carlos's name

stood at the top of the list his triumph a powerful symbol of our shared effort and

perseverance.

This experience with Carlos demonstrated leadership by showing how taking

initiative and providing consistent support can transform someone’s struggle into

success. Helping Carlos wasn’t just about improving his grades; it was about

restoring his confidence and showing him that he wasn't alone. By creating a

structured study plan and using varied teaching methods, I was able to make the

learning process more engaging and effective for him. Bringing his favorite snack

from the café was an act of kindness and a way to keep his spirits high and show

that I cared about his well-being. This consistent support helped Carlos transform

his frustration into determination, leading to his academic success. Watching him
Page 7 of 12 All rights reserved
© 2023 — Curators of the University of Missouri
 DUAL DIPLOMA
Composition & Literature 2A

Review
Ask a learning partner or friend to read your work. Show them
the rubric and ask for advice about how to improve each part of
your graphic organizer. Also show your draft to your Classroom
Teacher for feedback. Then, make necessary changes to your
draft.

Revise
Use what you learn from the review to make thoughtful changes
to your work. At this point, review and revise to organize and
develop your ideas. In the next section, you will review and edit
to correct grammar and spelling errors. Keep revising until your
paragraph is just the way you want it.

Edit
Look at your revised paragraph. In this step, focus on grammar
and spelling only. Correct grammar and spelling errors. Ask for
help if you need it.

Page 8 of 12 All rights reserved

© 2023 — Curators of the University of Missouri
 DUAL DIPLOMA
Composition & Literature 2A

Publish
When you finish revising and editing, do these two things in the
spaces below.

1. Write your final draft in the box below. Remember to

include both paragraphs—the anecdote and the analysis of
how the anecdote demonstrates leadership.
2. Answer the three reflection questions in the second box.

Final Draft
Remember to write your final draft in paragraph form rather than
in lists, bullet points, or phrases. Visit Shelf 12.1 in our Learning
Library for a review of paragraph structure.
https://bit.ly/3woqUFB

Final Draft

Have you ever seen a close friend struggling with a subject and felt bad for

him? This happened to me in high school when my friend Carlos, usually a

straight-A student, was having a rough time with Portuguese grammar and

vocabulary. His grades were slipping, and his usual confident attitude was

replaced with frustration and worry. One day after school, I found him alone in

Page 9 of 12 All rights reserved

© 2023 — Curators of the University of Missouri
 DUAL DIPLOMA
Composition & Literature 2A

the library, shoulders slumped, staring blankly at his textbook with a look of

discouragement. Remembering my struggles with Mathematics, I approached

him and offered to help. We met regularly in the library after classes, going

over lessons, working through exercises together, and using visual aids and

flashcards to understand the subject. Occasionally, I would bring him his favorite

snack from the nearby café, hoping to lift his spirits. Gradually, his eyes lost their

weariness, his determination grew, and the library became our haven, filled with

the comforting scent of old books. On the day of the exam, I saw from a distance

the confidence radiating from him as he tackled each question. When the

results were announced, Carlos's name stood at the top of the list, his triumph a

powerful symbol of our shared effort and perseverance.

This experience with Carlos demonstrated leadership by showing how taking

initiative and providing consistent support can transform someone’s struggle into

success. Helping Carlos wasn’t just about improving his grades; it was about

restoring his confidence and showing him that he wasn't alone. By creating a

structured study plan and using varied teaching methods, I was able to make the

learning process more engaging and effective for him. Bringing his favorite snack

from the café was an act of kindness and a way to keep his spirits high, showing

that I cared about his well-being. This consistent support helped Carlos transform

his frustration into determination, ultimately leading to his academic success.

Watching him tackle the exam with newfound confidence underscored the impact

of our collaborative effort. His top grade was a testament to his hard work and

the power of empathy and persistence. Ultimately, this experience reinforced the

importance of offering genuine support and encouragement, demonstrating that

Page 10 of 12 All rights reserved

© 2023 — Curators of the University of Missouri
 DUAL DIPLOMA
Composition & Literature 2A

leadership is about helping others realize and reach their potential.

Part G Reflect:
Answer these questions in complete, thoughtful
sentences.

1. What are you most proud of in your writing? Why?

I am most proud of how I incorporated sensory details to portray the journey

of Carlos, because this made the story more engaging and effectively conveyed

the significance of empathy and support in overcoming challenges.

2. What was the hardest part of this assignment? Why?

The hardest part of this assignment was condensing a rich narrative into a

concise format while still maintaining the emotional depth and key details of the

experience. Striking a balance between brevity and richness in detail required

careful editing and refinement. Therefore, it was difficult to ensure that the

narrative remained engaging and emotionally resonant without becoming overly

detailed or losing clarity demanded a meticulous and thoughtful approach.

3. What was the biggest change you made from your first draft to your final

draft? Why?

Page 11 of 12 All rights reserved

© 2023 — Curators of the University of Missouri
 DUAL DIPLOMA
Composition & Literature 2A

The biggest change I made from my first draft to my final draft was the length of

the narrative. Initially, the text was more detailed and expansive, but through

revisions, I focused on keeping the core story intact while deleting extra

information. This helped in delivering a more impactful and streamlined account

of the experience.

Page 12 of 12 All rights reserved

© 2023 — Curators of the University of Missouri