This document discusses theories of documentary filmmaking. It notes that John Grierson coined the term "documentary" in 1926 to describe films that document real people and events, whether through reconstruction or actual footage. A documentary may use narration to guide meaning or rely on participants, and aims to use facts to make socially critical arguments rather than just present facts. The document then outlines five key elements of documentaries according to John Carner: observation scenes, interviews, dramatization, mise-en-scene involving lighting and props, and exposition to lead the audience to conclusions.