The document discusses six different modes or types of documentaries: 1) The Poetic mode focuses on images and organization rather than continuity, with people appearing as entities. 2) The Expository mode uses voiceover or titles to directly address the viewer and persuade them. Images are used to advance the argument. 3) The Observational mode simply observes what is happening without interference, allowing viewers to relate to the situations. 4) The Participatory mode believes it is impossible to film without influencing events and aims to show how situations are affected. 5) The Reflexive mode puts its own spin on situations to draw attention to specific parts and messages. 6) The Performative mode is strongly

1. 4a documentary modes

2. Modes Mode Examples Conventions The Poetic Passing summer shower over Amsterdam – this documentary isn't like your typical documentary it does not focus on the play itself but what is going on around it and in the background which most people don’t always pick up on. - The poetic mode moved away from continuity editing and instead organized images of the material, these were set and placed where they were because of the time and the space. - People appeared in these films as entities, just like any other The Expository America’s Most Wanted – This documentary uses a spokes person to speak directly to the people watching the documentary which helps them to relate to what is going on or what is going to happen in the future. Speak directly to the viewer, often in the form of an authoritative commentary employing voiceover or titles, which helps brings the point across straight to the audience. These documentaries try to persuade the viewer Images exist to advance the argument The Observational Mode Towie (The Only Way Is Essex) – in this programme we watch the life of people who live in Essex and what they get up to on a daily basis, all the gossip/drama every little thing, this is a good documentary as this draws people in as they know this is all real and nothing is rehearsed. Simply to observe what is going on in the situation, which helps the audience to interact and feel what is going on. for people to relate to in the situation (family, incident, accident) The Participatory Documentary's like these are not always on air this is because of what they are trying to get across. They believe because of this that this will not edit or change your fault on the situation they only way to inform you of what has happened or what is going to happen. Believe that it is impossible for the act of filmmaking to not influence or alter the events being filmed Get a sense of how situations in the film are affected or altered The Reflexive these are documentaries which take a situation and put their on spin on it to make you look at what they want you to look at such as a specific part of the documentary which, basically making you listen to what they are saying/showing. don’t see themselves as a transparent window on the world, instead they draw attention to their own contractedness hey prompt us to “question the authenticity of documentary in general The Performative Stress subjective experience and emotional response to the world - They are strongly personal, unconventional, perhaps poetic and/or experimental

3. http://girishshambu.blogspot.com/2006/12/six-types-of-documentary.html