Sequence Analysis Assignment
CINE 121
Due: 11/13 before 11:59 p.m.
Length: 1,000-1,500 words, double spaced (~4-6 pages). You may go over the word count.
Format: .doc, .docx, or PDF
Submission: Upload document to Brightspace [go to the “Assignments” tab and then click on “Sequence Analysis”]
Assignment Overview:
In this assignment, you will use the foundations that you built in your Shot Breakdown to write an essay analysing a sequence of scenes from Sinners (Ryan Coogler, 2025). The clips are here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-h5fUA-DAdk&t=11s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSAT-IvzrSo
Please note that the clips are not strictly continuous, but are very close to each other in the narrative. You must incorporate both clips into your essay.
Your sequence analysis essay should include the following elements:
• An introductory paragraph where you provide a brief description of the two clips. You should also situate them (roughly) in relation to the film in general—considering both where they fall in the narrative, and what their function and relevance is in relation to the film as a whole. You DO NOT need to summarize the entire film; just discuss whatever is relevant to your overall argument about the sequence.
• Your introduction should end with a strong and clear thesis statement, where you lay out your argument about how you interpret the sequence, how it functions in the film as a whole, and why it matters. This argument must take up the visual elements of the shot (analyzed in part in the Shot Breakdown).
• Your body paragraphs should support your argument by drawing on the most important visual and formal elements of the sequence that you noticed in your shot breakdown and explaining how they are relevant to and support your argument. Describe these elements in greater detail than the breakdown allowed, and explain how they have led you to your argument. You should consider these observations the “evidence” that your argument is based upon, and take care to “connect the dots” for the reader between the evidence and your claims.
• A conclusion that reiterates (in different words) and expands your argument. Why does this sequence, and your argument about it, matter? Think beyond the context of the film itself to the broader world. Try to engage with themes and topics about film history that have come up in class. How does this sequence, and Sinners more broadly, engage with film history, and what is the significance of this?
General tips:
• Use your shot breakdown as a guide! Some of you may have already written extensive
analyses in this, which will make your work much easier. But regardless, make sure to
base your arguments in part on the observations you made and the evidence you compiled in the shot breakdown.
• Similarly, if there were areas for improvement in your shot breakdown, take your grader’s feedback into careful consideration.
• Always avoid generalizations—be as specific as possible.
• An important principle of writing about film is to make your writing evocative and
illustrative for the reader, so that they might imagine the film even if they haven’t seen it. Craft your descriptions carefully and thoughtfully so that you can create an image for the reader.
Grading:
A The paper makes a strong, compelling, and original argument that is well supported by the author’s analysis of the visual and narrative elements of the sequence. It demonstrates creativity, independent thinking, and a rigorous engagement with the course materials.
A- to B The paper offers a clear argument and engages with the course materials. Several points can be developed a little more to make the essay even more compelling.
B- to C The paper may offer or attempt to make a cohesive argument. But it is unable to articulate and/ or support that argument adequately. A number of points need further development and analysis.
D or lower The paper lacks a cohesive argument. It makes no effort to engage with the course materials.