A documentary aims to document real events using footage or reconstruction, sometimes with narration. There are five key elements: observation which places the audience as eyewitnesses, interviews, dramatization to add drama, careful composition of shots, and constructing an argument. Documentaries can be fully narrated, follow a "fly on the wall" approach, use mixed techniques, allow self-reflection, or reenact events. They can follow a linear or non-linear timeline and contain single or multiple narrative strands.

1. What is a documentary?

2. The purpose of a documentary is to document i.e.
report with evidence something that has actually
happened. It can show this by using actuality
footage or reconstruction. It can use a narrators
voiceover to anchor the meaning or rely on the
participants themselves with the occasional
interjection by an unseen narrator.

3. Features of a documentary
John corner, university of Liverpool – 5 central elements to a documentary
• Observation – camera observes what is going on, places audience in role of an
eye witness.
•Interview – TV documentaries rely on interviews
•Dramatisation – A sense of drama throughout the observational element.
•Mise en scene – careful composition of shots, the documentary wants the
audience to see.
•Exposition – the line of argument in a documentary, constructing a story.

4. Types of documentary
Fully narrated – The voiceover is used to make sense of the visuals,
and dominates their meaning e.g. Natural history
Fly on the wall – offers a ‘true or real’ picture of events
Mixed – using a combination of interview, observation and narration.
Self- reflective – participants acknowledge the presence of the camera
and often speak directly to the documentary maker.
Docudrama – a re-enactment of events; actors illustrate history.
Docu- soaps – following the daily lives of particular individuals.

5. Linear/ non- linear
Linear follows chronological order ( order of time)
Non linear does not follow chronological order it uses
flash back and flash forward.
Single strand v multi strand
Single strand is one narrative and muliti strand is more
than one narrative thread. These of ten converge
throughout the narrative e.g. The corrie storylines
converge.