2. • Addresses the viewer directly to advance
argument or recount history
• Subjected and often polemical
• Characterized by hidden,
authoritative, ‘omniscient’ narrator, whose
voice is supported by images rather than the
other way round.
• Criticisms: Overly didactic and ‘Preachy’

3. • Events observed and recorded by ‘objectivity’
with no authorial intrusion
• Often called the ‘fly on the wall’ documentary
as it is just pure footage and no voice over
• Criticism: Lacks History and Context

4. • Film maker appears in their documentary,
interviewing and expressing views to the
camera (contrasting against the expository
mode)
• Polemical
• A good example is Michael Moore’s
documentary
• Criticism: Too intrusive and one sided.

5. • The documentary frequently reflects on it’s
own artificially, drawing attention too this
• Criticism: Too artificial

6. • A much more personal approach than
participatory mode, the individual film maker
tells their own story
• Often political – Stories told by members of
minority groups
• Criticism: Too abstract, lose sight of actual
issues.