There are several types of documentary narratives: linear narratives follow a clear beginning, middle, and end; non-linear narratives rearrange events and have no clear structure; circular narratives begin and end at the climax; open narratives leave conclusions up to the audience while closed narratives provide conclusions; single narratives focus on one topic while multi-narratives combine multiple storylines to deepen the overall theme.

1. Different types of
documentary narrative

2. Linear Narrative
• A linear narrative follows a straight-line starting at the beginning,
then to the middle where there is the exposition. Then eventually
the end of the documentary where there is some sort of
conclusion – whilst leaving answers open to the audience to judge.

3. Non-Linear Narrative
• A non linear narrative has no clear beginning, middle and end –
since the documentary doesn’t have a clear narrative. The order
of events are usually rearranged or deconstructed to reflect a
central character/theme. These documentary narratives are often
used to place audience in the minds of the characters who have
unusual ways of thinking

4. Circular Narrative
• In a circular narrative they definitely have a beginning and end,
since the first shot is also the last shot of the documentary. This
can capture the audience since the narrative begins at the climax
but then shows how that point was reached in the documentary.

5. Open and closed Narrative
• An open narrative is what happens at the end of the documentary
allows the audience to form their own opinion, on what they have
just watched. It lets the audience form a ending they would like
to see – instead of getting a clear conclusion.
• A closed narrative doesn’t let the audience form their own
opinions on what happens after the documentary since there is a
conclusion. It does allow the audience to make decisions on the
theme and narrative structure though.

6. Single Narrative
• Single narrative documentaries have one focus and one
point/exponent. So the narrative to the audience is clear with no
sub narratives in the documentary, all attention is on one point for
the audience to follow.

7. Multi Narrative
• A multi narrative documentary has multiple storylines to help
deepen the story arc and theme of the documentary, rather than
focus on one point in a single narrative.
• So multiple storylines are put together at the same time. Each
storyline has a different focus but the main point/theme can
relate to each story in the documentary.