Proficient

Satisfactory

Developing

Examples of pop culture (step 1)

There are several (8-10) examples that are carefully chosen for connections to text.

There are some (4-7) examples that can be connected to the text.

There are only 1-2 examples and/or it is hard to find the connections to the text.

Connections between pop culture examples, values, and text (step 1)

Connections are clear, thought-provoking, and well-explained.

Connections are clearly identified and explained.

It is hard to find connections and/or the connections are not identified or explained.

Analysis of characters, events, and themes (step 2)

The success of the characters in your text, how the events in your text help or hurt the character’s chances for success, and what themes come to the surface because of the characters and events are thoughtfully analyzed and applied to the thesis statement developed in step 3.

The success of the characters in your text, how the events in your text help or hurt the character’s chances for success, and what themes come to the surface because of the characters and events are connected to the thesis statement developed in step 3.

The success of the characters in your text, how the events in your text help or hurt the character’s chances for success, and what themes come to the surface because of the characters and events are missing and/or not applied to the thesis statement developed in step 3.

Clearly stated thesis statement (step 3)

The thesis statement thoughtfully and clearly connects all of the ideas presented to a definition of the American dream in modern/postmodern literary periods and today.

The thesis statement connects all of the ideas presented to a definition of the American dream in modern/postmodern literary periods and today.

The thesis statement is incomplete.

Appropriate choice and effective use of digital presentation tool (step 4)

The digital tool chosen enhances the information being presented and is easy to navigate/use. It also engages the user because of its design and interactive features.

The digital tool allows access to the information without too many distractions or complicated features. It allows the user to interact to a small degree with the information.

The digital tool is complicated and/or incomplete. It does not allow for user interaction.