2. Bill Nichols decided that their were six modes of
Documentary. They were
• Poetic mode
• Expository mode
• Observational mode
• Participatory mode
• Reflexive mode
• Performative mode

3. • Started in 1920’s
• There is no beginning, middle or
end in this mode
• It focuses on abstract, expression
and emotion and is subjective
• documentary is not in a specific
order and there's no rhythm to it.

4. • Often referred to as “voice of god” this
mode directs the audience through
narration and is associated with the 1920’s
and 1930’s
• Often includes images and archive footage
over a voice over
• Involves the audience into the subject of
the documentary and often develops an
argument as the documentary progresses.

5. • Started in 1960’s and observes the world as it
happens
• Often have no voice-over commentary,
music or interviews
• Participates in the documentary behave as
if no filmmakers or camera are there
• Camera is small, light and often hidden
• Example include Big Brother.

6. • This is when the encounter between the
film-maker and the subject is recorded, as
the film-maker actively engages with the
situation as they are documenting, while
asking questions and sharing experiences
• Gives the audience a sense of what it is like
for the film maker to be in a given situation
• Often includes interviews and voice overs.

7. • This demonstrates consciousness of the
progress or reading documentary
• Engages actively with the issue,
acknowledges the presence of the viewer
and the modality judgements
• Viewer has more than one judgement
• Speaks about the historical world and about
the problems and issues of representing it.

8. • This is when the documentary acknowledges
the emotional and subjective aspects of
documentary and presents ideas as part of a
context, having different meanings for
different people, often autobiographical in
nature
• Often addresses the audience and can be
educational and informative
• Audience respond in an emotional way and
allows them to gain more understanding of
the event.