6 Modes of
DocumentariesBy Bill Nichols
By Callum Garnett and Penney
What are the Modes?
 The different modes are a way of determining the common concepts
and themes of the various documentary styles, Devised by
American documentary theorist Bill Nichols. There are 6 different
suggested modes of documentary: poetic, expository, observational,
participatory, reflexive, and performative. While Nichols' discussion
of modes does progress chronologically with the order of their
appearance in practice, documentary film often returns to themes
and devices from previous modes. Therefore, it is inaccurate to
think of modes as historical punctuation marks in an evolution
towards an ultimate accepted documentary style. Also, modes are
not mutually exclusive. There is often significant overlapping
between modalities within individual documentary features. As
Nichols points out, “the characteristics of a given mode function as a
dominant in a given film…but they do not dictate or determine every
aspect of its organization.”
Poetic Mode
 The poetic mode is considered a ‘subjective interpretation of
the subject’ – essentially meaning its biased.
 This mode dictates that a certain tone or mood is depicted
throughout the documentary, which will influence the viewers
understanding and intake of information. This mood is
purposefully created through the leaving out of important
information, such as character descriptions and specific
events, which create a biased view point.
Poetic Mode
 An example of this happening is ‘Ross Kemp on Gangs’,
which is meant to be a factual documentation of gang culture,
but clearly the pictures below, does not show an everyday
occurrence, and is merely constructed to show the severity of
what is considered the stereotype on gang culture.
 GOOD POINTS – Through the selective incorporation of
information, those who favour that subject are more likely to
instantly agree with the suggested terms. This gives the
documentary an automatic acceptance amongst its audience.
 BAD POINTS – Due to this biased view point, those who do
not already favour the matter, will have a negative opinion
and not be interested by the biased opinion, due to the
documentaries lack of counter arguments and knowledge,
which lower acceptance and doesn’t represent other views.
Expository Mode
 The expository mode is where the documenter speaks
directly to the viewer, through the use of tools such as voice
over, or subtitles, and through this create an powerful
argument and point of view.
 Images are more so used to emphasise the point being
mentioned by the documenter and not to create their own
point, this adds to the extremity of the point being made, and
adds relevant pictorial evidence. Through this use of pictures
being accompanied by direct addressing of the audience, the
audience are strongly directed to view a picture or video in a
specific way.
 This is used in historical documentaries to deliver an ‘unproblematic and objective’ account and interpretation of past
events.
Expository Mode
 An example of this is: America’s Most Wanted.
 The show uses a direct voice over, aimed at the viewers,
which documents the actions of the footage shown. This is
considered a tool used to intopolate the audience.
 The narrator’s, John Walsh’s, voice is very typical of the
conventions of this mode, as his deep and sonorous voice
and be equated to the ‘Voice of God’.
 GOOD POINTS – As long as you have a charismatic, well
informed and well spoken narrator to document the ‘facts’,
the view is more likely to be received positively by the
audience.
 BAD POINTS – Some people don’t necessarily receive the
more spoken element to this type of documentary, and those
who better receive visual elements will not benefit so much
from this documentary, deeming it ‘boring’.
Observational Mode
 Definition : Emphasizing the documentary filmmaker's
engagement in observing the subject's daily life and
circumstances and documenting them with an unobtrusive
camera.
 The observational mode uses a more ‘unbiased’ method,
through the simple observation of events happening around
the documenter without any direct interference. Conclusions
are then obtained from the events and scenarios witnessed.
 This passive way of obtaining facts, creates a more intimate
connection between the audience, by them actually
witnessing real events (such as trauma or injury’) which can
cause an emotional response from the viewer.
Observational Mode
 An example for this is Frederick Wiseman’s documentary,
High School (1968) which takes a ‘fly on the wall’ approach
into Northeast High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
 As this mode is entirely factual it was able to reveal facts
about the school the administration did not wish to become
public, i.e.. The oppression of the students.
 Below is a segment from ‘High School’
showing this mode of documentary
:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lrdBMR2IEQ
 GOOD POINTS – The emotional aspect of this mode would
appeal to a more sensitive audience, but even the lesser
connected viewer are still likely to be impacted by the heavily
‘real’ footage of events.
 BAD POINTS – The un-biased footage obtained, gives a lack
of control to the documenter, which can lead to an un-factual
and weak argument, which could also potentially leave it
without any factual or visual stimuli.
Participatory Mode
 The participatory mode believes that the documenter has to have a
certain level of influence on the footage and facts. This allows a certain
level of clear evidence on the documenters presence effecting events.
 The incorporation of documenter influence will essentially make the film
entirely biased, as they will create artificial events to create a strong and
evident argument.
Participatory Mode
 An example of this particular mode is Vertov’s The Man with a Camera
(1929) where nothing but the lives of Soviet citizens, specifically the
films cameraman and editor, are filmed to display the state of Soviet life.
 In this way, there is no story and no ‘characters’ to speak of, in addition
to the film being silent, and it is this involvement the film crew take in the
documentary that makes it a strong example of the Participatory Mode.
 Below is a segment of ‘The Man With a Camera:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00ZciIC4JPw
 GOOD POINTS – Through the use of star vehicles,
commonly associated with the subject matter will create a lot
of renown and expectation.
 BAD POINTS – The un-biased footage obtained, gives a lack
of control to the documenter, which can lead to an un-factual
and weak argument, which could also potentially leave it
without any factual or visual stimuli.
Reflexive Mode
 Definition: The mode uses specific footage and information that will lead
viewers to a specific outcome and therefore essentially make the
decision of their opinions for them.
 The reflexive mode essentially highlights constructed scenarios and
does not create the sense of realism intentionally to emphasise the point
of the documentary.
 This can highlight extreme cases of events, but these will be considered
normal by the un-aware viewer. This extreme use of suggestion toward
one view point, makes the documentary ecspecially succesful.
Reflexive Mode
 The example we are going to use is the 1933 documentary :Land
without bread. It shows the reflexive method by simply showing only the
bad points of the society, which highlights only one side of the argument.
 The use of language like ‘strange and barbaric’ are used to once again
highlight the ‘different’ aspects that the society shows, and what the
documenter wants us to believe.
 The fact that the majority of the; scripting, narrating and directing was
done by one individual; Luis Bunuel means there is only one opinion
being conveyed to us, the use of hegemony is evident, and the view
point is strongly aimed in one direction.
 Below is a segment of ‘Land Without Bread’:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unWILZzQ5_Y
 GOOD POINTS – Able to show the extreme 'Truths’ that
aren't necessarily able to be witness in an everyday
occurrence, which although takes away from normality, can
increase sensitivity and severity of the events.
 BAD POINTS – The narrow-minded elements of this
documentary can often leave out factual points necessary in
making an informed decision on the matter.
Performative Mode
 The performative mode, which is often confused with participatory,
engages the viewer in a story but can expose them to factual points
during this process.
 This type of documentary focuses on the experiences of the filmmaker
themselves, and is deeply personal to them.
 This mode is best suited to tell the stories of filmmakers from specific
niche social groups.
Performative Mode
 An example of the Performative Mode is Alain Resnais’ Night and Fog
(1955) a subjective, survivor account of the holocaust , recounting a
biased opinion of the events haven taken place.
 The controversial content and subject matter of the film causes it
become and emotionally based film, adding the aspects of the
Performative Mode. Also, it follows the typical convention that this mode
is suited more for minorities to give them a voice.
 GOOD POINTS – The documentaries are fairly easy to
understand due to the ‘mind of the documenter’ being directly
portrayed to the viewers.
 BAD POINTS – This ‘self view’ style of documentary is seen
as pretentious due to the focus solely being on the
documenter. This could also be considered boring due to the
one focus of attention. The niche audience that is attracted to
this mode lowers the potential audience.