There are 5 central elements of documentaries according to an expert: 1) putting the audience in the role of eyewitness, 2) using indirect speech to portray observation, 3) using interviews to contrast with observations, 4) using drama to portray inaccessible people and events, and 5) including elements like lighting and props in interviews. There are also at least 6 types of documentaries: fully narrated, fly on the wall, mixed, self-reflexive, docu-drama, and docu-soaps. Current affairs programs aim to deeply address news but have deadline pressures, whereas documentaries can take months and go more in-depth.

2. There are 5 central elements of the
documentary according to John
Carner from the University of
Liverpool. These are:

3. Putting the audience in a role of eyewitness
where the camera appears to be unseen.
Indirect address to the audiences i.e. speech
overheard is a common factor of this en-
scene observation.

4. Television documentaries use interviews to
make a contrast between observation
sequences and are structured in 2 ways:
either intercut fragments of observation or a
completely uninterrupted sequence.

5. Even though all documentaries use a sense of
drama, it is specifically used to portray
people and events the film maker cannot
gain access to in real life. These sequences
are said to be based on fact.

6. Literally what the directors and producers put
into the frame, so for example lighting and
props in interviews.

7. Simply means the line of argument in a
documentary which is what the doc' is 'saying'.
Sequences that lead the audience to make
their own conclusions.

8. There are at least 6 types which
include: fully narrated, fly on the wall,
mixed, sled reflexive and docu-drama,
with the possible addition of docu-
soaps.

9. Fully Narrated - Direct address documentaries use of the screen
voiceover to convey the exposition. The narrator seems authoritative
about the topic allowing them to make sense of visuals. A.k.a 'Voice
of God'
Fly on the Wall - Rely almost totally on observation, as the cameras
are left to record without interference and viewers come to their own
conclusions.
Mixed - Uses a combination of interview, observation and narration to
advance the argument. Narrator is within the frame and this style is
most common in news reporting.
Self Reflexive - The subjects of a documentary acknowledge the
presence of the camera and speaks directly to the film maker. Makes
a point of drawing attention the film maker to create a view of reality.
Docu-Drama - A reenactment of events as they are supposed to of
happened. Fictional narrative is combined with elements of the
exposition, however critics claim that docu-dramas will only ever
deliver fiction.
Docu-Soaps - A phenomenon of recent years which follow the daily
lives of particular people. E.g. 'Airport'. Many dispute whether these
are real documentaries in any sense.

10. These are different from documentaries. Journalist
based programmes that aim to address news in
more depth. Differences include the pressure of
deadlines, i.e. documentaries may take several
months to create, therefore allowing them to be
a lot more in depth, where as Current Affairs
must have new stories daily, so each story will
only be examined in 5-10 minute slots.
Audience is a varied one for current affairs, i.e
many watch for pleasure as well as information.