The document outlines various conventions of documentaries including that they should be truthful, focus on reality, and provide appropriate evidence to support their topics which can range from politics to history. It discusses styles such as observational, interviews, dramatizations, narrated, and fly on the wall approaches. Additionally, it covers Barnett's theory of "Disneyfication" where documentaries focus on positive portrayals and simplified narratives for mainstream audiences in the style of traditional films.