Six genres of documentary

The genre of documentary according to American theorist Bill Nichols, documentary can be divided into the following six genres:

Poetic documentary

Poetic documentary appeared in the 1920s and one of the representative work is called 'Rain' directed by Joris Ivens. The genre of documentary does not emphasize the narrative, the time to create and coherent editing. It is focus on rhythm the creation and the combined of different spatial. It aims to convey the emotion and mood.

Expository documentary

Expository documentary appeared in the 1920s. The genre of documentary's publicity intension is clear and pay attention of the commentary to convince the audience to accept their point of view, the typical characteristic in form of 'the voice of god', the material edit and omniscient viewpoint.

Observational documentary

Observational documentary appeared in the 1960s. The technology is based on emergency of portable camera and tape camera. The genre of documentary has not commentary  and specific actors. The filmmaker like a 'fly on the wall'. Observational documentary is mainly expressed the real world. It is difficult to deal with historical themes. Expression of image can easily become boring in the absence of narration of subtitles.

Reflexive documentary 

Reflexive documentary appeared in the 1980s and one of the representative work is 'Surname viet of given name nam'. The genre of documentary's  characteristic is present the social and historical process itself reflection. It same like other documentaries, importance of the real things. The most important is the reflection of the director to the documentary. 

Participatory documentary 

Filmmaker does interact with subject and does not cover-up filmmaker appear in the film. This interaction is present within the film. The participatory documentary appeared in 1960s and one of the representative work is 'chronicle of summer 'directed by Jean Rouch and Edgar Morin.

Performativity documentary 

Performativity documentary will be subjective to enlarge of a real event and departure from the realism style. It emphasizes the subjective expression of the creators. One of the most representative work is 'tongues united' directed by Marlon Roggs. The genre of documentary usually similar with avant-garde film.

References:

Nichols,B. (1942) Introduction to documentary, 2nd edn., Indiana,USA: Bloomington : Indiana University Press.