This document discusses different narrative structures that can be used in documentary films, including open or closed structures depending on whether the topic is ongoing or completed, single or multi topics, linear or non-linear chronological ordering, circular structures that begin and end in the present, and segmented structures that focus on one subject but discuss smaller related topics.

1. Documentary Narrative
Structure

2. Open and Closed
• Open structure- This is where the topic discussed in the documentary is still
on going.
• Closed structure- This is where the topic is no longer on going and therefore
nothing more on this topic will happen.

3. Single and Multi
• Singular- Is where the documentary discusses one topic only.
• Multi- Is where the documentary talks about many different topics.

4. Linear and Non-Linear
• Linear- This is where the documentary moves in chronological order and asa
result the audience see a progression of time.
• Non-Linear- This is where the documentary does not show a progression in
time and can stay in one time period or switch between times.

5. Circular
• Circular Structure- Is where the documentary starts in the present and ends
in the present. In the middle the documentary can move to the past as long
as it returns to the present.

6. Segmented
• Segmented structure- This is where the documentary focuses on one subject
but discusses smaller topics about the one subject.