Pop Culture and Film Synthesis Essay
AP Language and Composition
As discussed in our readings and discussions, texts in popular culture “speak” to one
another, repeating the same ideas, themes, and characters over time to comment on
reality. Using an artifact of popular culture, the film Mean Girls, you will construct an
essay in which you explore pop culture’s ability to reflect and comment on reality.
Respond to ONE of the two prompts below in a well-organized, beautifully crafted essay
of 2-3 pages in length. You must use specific details and evidence from the film as well
as evidence and quotations from at least ONE OF OUR CLASS TEXTS.
Prompt One: Several of the texts we have discussed (Klosterman, Johnson, and Denby)
have presented the same question: is popular culture a reflection of our own reality? In
your essay, describe whether the film Mean Girls presents an accurate portrayal of
“reality”. You will need to find a focused stance or thesis, and you must use evidence
from the film (character archetypes, themes, imagery, allusions) and ONE OTHER
CLASS SOURCE to support your stance.
Prompt Two: In Denby’s essay “High School Confidential,” Denby outlines several
characteristics of the typical high school or teen film genre. Does the film Mean Girls
transcend this genre? Does it say something new? Form a stance on whether this film
transcends the genre using evidence from the film and from Denby’s essay.
Pop Culture and Film Synthesis Rubric
AP Language and Composition
94-100 (9) The student meets all expectations of an 8, but with a higher level of sophistication
and stylistic maturity.
89-94 (8) The student effectively answers the prompt using an original thesis that is
supported by at least 1 other source. The student correctly synthesizes and cites at least 1
other source, carefully choosing evidence from the film and essay to craft a cogent
argument. The student’s stance is meaningful and convincing, and the cited source
effectively supports the author’s position. The author meaningfully analyzes and
interprets the content of the film (artifact). The author includes in-text citations for
quoted and paraphrased content. The author demonstrates stylistic maturity, seen in
the control of stylistic elements such as diction, tone, and syntax.
85-88 (7) The student meets all expectations for a “6”, but with slightly higher distinction,
such as greater stylistic maturity or more purposeful argumentation.
80-84 (6) The student adequately answers the prompt using an original thesis that is
supported by at least 1 other source. The student adequately synthesizes and cites at least
1 other source. The student’s stance is convincing, and the cited sources effectively
support the author’s position. The author analyzes and interprets the content of the film
(artifact). The author includes in-text citations for quoted and paraphrased content.
The author demonstrates some control of stylistic elements such as diction, tone, and
syntax with few lapses.
75-79 (5) The student meets all expectations for a “4”, but with more purposeful
argumentation.
70-74 (4) The student inadequately answers answers the prompt using an original thesis
that is supported by at least 1 other source. The student inadequately synthesizes and
cites at least 1 other source, but they misunderstand, oversimplify, or misrepresent their
source. The link between the sources and their argument is weak. The author attempts to
analyze and interpret the content of the film (artifact). The author includes in-text
citations for quoted and paraphrased content. The author demonstrates some control
of stylistic elements such as diction, tone, and syntax with few lapses.
65-69 (3) Essays scoring a 3 meet the criteria of a 4, but with less understanding of the
sources, less success at developing an argument, and weaker fluency and style.
60-64 (2) The student ineffectively answers the prompt.using a thesis that only alludes to
other sources. The student fails to present a coherent argument, misreads or
misrepresents sources, or substitutes a simpler task by merely responding to the question
tangentially or summarizing the sources. The author demonstrates little to no control of
stylistic elements such as diction, tone, and syntax.
59 or below (1) These essays meet the criteria of a 2, but are especially simplistic and weak.
0- Essays scoring a 0 are on-topic, but do not fully answer the prompt, such as a
response that repeats the prompt.