Interviews:

Rule of thirds - The conventional method used when

framing a shot.
Subject looks off camera at the crew member off
screen, asking the questions.
Questions are omitted, making the interview full of
only answers.
Mise-en-scene is relevant, either professionally to the
subject or the documentary.
On-screen graphics with subjects details on;
commonly their name & profession.
Medium close up camera shot - from the waist up.
The subjects eyes are approximately of the way up
the screen.
Consecutive interviews often swap sides Subject #1
on right side of the screen, subject #2 on the left side
of the screen. Very rarely in the centre of the shot.
Theres always an expert being interviewed.
A range of interviews.
Footage:
Actuality footage This is footage thats actually been
filmed by themselves rather than by somebody else,
i.e. primary footage.
Title sequence Often uses graphics, and the
logo/title is often repeated throughout the
documentary; e.g. before/after commercial breaks.

 Archive footage Stills, clips from other movies etc,

shots of letters etc.
Vox Pops Vox Populi; the voice of the people, shots
of asking members of the public questions and then
their answers. E.g. an interview.
Reconstructions When actors play out an event for
documentation.
Sound:
Non-diegetic soundtracks Often, they fade out just
before a subject speaks.
Single stranded narrative. (Sometimes double
stranded)
Often a male narrative.
Usually linear and chronological.
Voice over anchors meaning of documentary; e.g.
voice of God = persuasion.
Sound effects.
Natural sounds Noises heard in the background of
interview in natural settings.
Closed narrative, ends solidly - However, can end
open.
Editing:
Cut away often used instead of jump cuts.
Pace of editing matches the build-up of documentary.
No fancy edits, i.e. no graphic matches, etc.

 Cut aways are relevant.

General:
Theres always conflict in documentaries.
Graphics are simple in most, not all, documentaries.
Theres an exposition in each documentary; a line of
argument.
Relevant title.
Range of camera angles.
Factual.
Theres always evidence shown in the documentary
to prove their exposition.