Documentary types

'In documentary film and video, we can identify six modes of representation that function something like sub-genres of the documentary film genre itself: poetic, expository, participatory, observational, reflexive, performative. These six modes establish a loose framework of affiliation within which individuals may work; they set up conventions that a given film may adopt; and they provide specific expectations viewers anticipate having fulfilled.'-Bill Nichols, Introduction to documentary (2010)

All information used is from https://www.masterclass.com/articles/film-documentary-guide

Poetic

The poetic documentary uses avant-garde techniques to evoke certain moods or feelings rather than prove a point through a traditional linear narrative structure.
Poetic documentary filmmakers provide the audience with an emotional perspective on a subject that uses a more subjective interpretation of reality. 

It originally emerged from the city symphony film movement in the 1920s as a retort against the style and content of fiction film genres. 

There are 3 characteristics of poetic documentaries:

-Visual rhythm-Poetic documentaries aren't concerned with maintaining continuity from scene to scene. Instead, the editing goal is to highlight rhythm, composition and shot design to create visuals that show the audience the world from a different and new point of view.

-They lack traditional narrative-Since poetic documentaries focus on creating feeling and mood, establishing a linear narrative isn't necessary. Characters don't progress through arcs and storylines won't move towards resolutions.

-Open-ended interpretation-Rather than arguing for fact based-truth, poetic documentaries provide a subjective interpretation of a topic.

Expository

Expository documentaries set up a specific point of view or argument about a subject, there is often a narrator who speaks directly to the viewer which emphasises the relationship between the images presented on screen and the verbal commentary.

Expository documentaries include footage that supports the spoken argument of the film

Expository documentaries are heavily researched and used to inform and persuade.

There are 3 characteristics of poetic documentaries:

-Strong voice-over-Expository documentaries use the 'voice of god' narration. The voice is often authoritative and accompanies the documentaries images. The voice-over conveys information and does not provide a personal account so that it can share a narrative.

-Subjectivity-Expository documentaries what the audience to feel a certain way about the content they are seeing. Everything in the film (recounts of history, interviews and rhetorical questions) are often presented to support the claims made.

-Evidentiary editing-Filmmakers of expository documentaries use images as a means to support their claims. Images on screen are often explained by captioning or voice-overs.

Participatory

Participatory documentaries in which the filmmaker is directly in the narrative of the film and interacts with the film's subjects. 
The filmmaker may appear in front of the camera during an interview during interviews or be heard behind the camera. The effect of the filmmakers' presence may be minimal or it may be a major influence on the narrative.
There are 3 characteristics of participatory documentaries:
-The filmmaker-In participatory documentaries, the filmmaker must either be seen or heard at some point, giving them a present is often as important as the primary subject.
-interviewers questions-In other documentary genres, subjects answer interview questions however the questions themselves will be edited out. In participatory 
documentaries, the audience is allowed to see the filmmaker asking the questions. This gives the viewer a more behind the scenes look at how the filmmaker obtained the subject's responses and also establishes a relationship between the subject and filmmaker.
-The viewer and the filmmaker are one-The audience experiences the film through the point of view of the filmmaker, allowing them to experience how the filmmaker felt in the moment and consider how they too might've reacted.

Observational

The observational documentary aims to record everyday life without intrusion.

The observational mode tells concrete stories about real people but renounces moralising narratives.

There are 5 characteristics of observational documentaries:

-REALISM-Observational cinema always aims to tell true stories. To promote a feeling of realism, an observational documentary follows people or events in a real lifetime, often detailing the day to day life.

The film team follow the action spontaneously, giving the film a sense of excitement and freshness.

-Handheld shots-When portable films were made in the 1950w, filmmakers became able to film from their shoulders instead of having to use tripods. AN observational documentary always takes advantage of portable cameras, using handheld shots to follow subjects or scenes that would be impossible to follow with a tripod.

-Long takes-Observational documentaries often use long takes without editing to enhance the realism, follow the action and immerse viewers in the scene.

-Voiceover-Observational filmmakers are interested in objectivity more than a clear message so they let their footage speak the loudest, they have little to no voice-over to avoid the filmmakers' unwanted point of view.

-No re-enactments-While other documentary forms employ re-enacting scenes that the camera didn't capture. This would shatter the realism of the film so observational documentaries reject this method.

Reflexive

The reflexive documentary focuses on the relationship between the filmmaker and the audience, often pushing the viewers to reflect on their perceptions and re-analyze their truth.

Reflexive documentary encourages thoughtful consideration of the material and since the subject matter is often the process of documentary filmmaking, a cinematographer will shoot behind the scenes styles footage of the entire film production process, including editing, interviewing and post-production.

 Characteristics of Reflexive documentary:

Reflexive documentaries have similar characteristics to the participatory documentary, they both show the involvement of the filmmaker and usually make the cameraman and camera part of the film.
Reflexive documentaries often show the camera or production crew to highlight the conventions of filmmaking and to eliminate biases about the film's content or agenda. 

Performative
Performative documentaries focus on the filmmakers' involvement with their subject, using their personal experiences or relationship with the subject as a way of exploring larger, subjective truths. The filmmaker often hires a cinematographer to capture the documentary production process as well as some personal footage that highlights the personal relationship between the filmmaker and subject.

Characteristics of Performative documentary:
Performative documentary filmmaking is more personal, they rely on a subject lens as presenting the truth as relative.
Because the documentary is filmed in a non-fiction style, it emphasizes the filmmakers' involvement as they are used as the centrepiece of the film. The filmmaker uses their own experiences to provoke an emotional response from the audience and drive the film's agenda.