Research - Defining modes of documentary

Identifying modes of documentary is a way of categorising different types of documentary. There are overlaps in the modes and documentaries often feature more than one mode.

1. Expository Conventions

• Voiceover, which may be the 'voice of god' (heard not seen) or 'voice of authority' (seen and heard) and the voiceover addresses the audience directly.
• Images are used to illustrate and continuity editing is used to link images that support the argument. 
• A variety of footage, stills, interviews and archive material used to support the argument.
• There is an attempt to persuade the audience of a certain point of view by using logic and the idea of common-sense response.

2. Observational Conventions

• No voiceovers or interviews, documentary maker's presence is hidden
• Synchronous sound recording
• Location shooting, hand-held cameras often used
• Subjects pretend that they are not being filmed

3. Participatory or interactive conventions

• Documentary maker and the crew interact with subjects. The documentary maker is visible to the audience, participates and intervenes in the action.
• Voiceovers are usually by the documentary maker
• Interviews dominate the documentary but tend to be informal
• Location shooting, hand-held cameras often used
• Synchronous sound recording
• Long takes dominate