2. • Circular
This is when the documentary starts and ends with the same narrative. For
example, the same topic being discussed at the start and then again at
the end.
3. • Open
This is when the documentary has loose ends or unanswered questions.
An example of this could be about immigration in Britain, an example of
an unanswered question could be “how will Britain handle illegal
immigration in the future?”
4. • Closed
A closed documentary is when everything is tied up and there is no
questions left unanswered.
An example of this could be a documentary on the 2015 elections, as the
election is a past event the documentary has the ability to answer any
questions.
5. • Single Strand
This is when the documentary only has one narrative thread or storyline. An
example of this is a documentary on Hillsborough, all the interviews,
archive material and reconstructions that may be involved will be about
Hillsborough.
6. • Multi Strand
This is when a documentary has multiple storylines.
7. • Linear:
This is when the documentary follows chronological order.
8. • Non Linear
This is when the documentary doesn’t follow chronological order. For
example using flashbacks or flash forwards.
