Bill Nichols proposed that there are 6 documentary modes: expository, observational, participatory, performative, reflexive, and poetic. These modes distinguish different styles of documentary based on their conventions and traits. The expository mode aims to put forward an argument and convince the audience through on-screen evidence. The observational mode films natural events without intrusion or presenter participation. The participatory mode heavily features the filmmaker's involvement through interviews and provocations.

1. As proposed by Bill Nichols

2. Documentary Modes

The idea of documentary modes was constructed by an
American documentary theorist named Bill Nichols. He
wished to distinguish between different styles of
documentary by using their contrasting conventions and
traits.
He came up with the idea that there are 6 different
documentary modes. Expository, Observational,
Performative, Reflexive, Poetic and Participatory.

3. Expository

This mode is the one which is most associated with a
lot of modern documentaries. The primary focus of the
documentary is to put forward an argument/opinion to
the audience and try to convince them or inform them
about a certain topic.
The documentary usually consists of a number of
sections to an argument which are then backed up by
evidence which can be found in the real world.
The usual style of expository documentaries is to have
a presenter putting forwards the primary points and on
screen footage is used as evidence.

4. Observational

This type of documentary is one which does not
involve intruding on whatever you are trying to
film. This style of documentary film is all about
following natural movement and events without
much presenter participation. A lot of voiceover
is often used in observational documentary
making.
Good examples of this style are often nature
documentaries.

5. Participatory

Unlike observational documentaries, this style of
documentary is heavily focused on seen presenter
participation.
This participation can range from interviews to
provocations and practical participation.
You would not have an unseen presenter in a
participatory documentary as they have a heavy focus
on the presenter or film maker getting involved in the
contents of the documentary.

6. Performative

This mode of documentary stresses subjective
experience and emotional response to the
world. They are very personal and may include
some hypothetical enactments of events
designed to make us experience what it might
be like for us to possess a certain specific
perspective on the world that is not our own.

7. Reflexive

This mode acknowledges how a documentary is made
and that it is impossible for it to be completely truthful of
real life because it gets affected by so many different
processes. Such as camera and editing and so it
accepts it and will even make these things known to the
audience by actually having and showing them in the
film itself.
It admits to the audience this is not the truth but a
reconstructed version of it.

8. Poetic

Poetic documentaries are more subjective and
approach something from a more artistic and creative
angle. They try to find an inner or different truth from
other documentaries that simply aim to show something
as complete and indisputable fact. They rely on things
like colour, mood and tones, textures, sounds and
rhythmic qualities to display their findings.
This mode is quite unconventional and differs greatly
from the other documentary modes.