Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction -- How can we define documentary film? -- Why are ethical issues central to documentary filmmaking? -- What gives documentaries a voice of their own? -- What makes documentaries engaging and persuasive? -- How did documentary filmmaking get started? -- How can we differentiate among documentary models and modes? what are the -- Poetic, expository, and reflexive modes? -- How can we describe the observational, participatory, and performative modes of -- Documentary film? -- How have documentaries addressed social and political issues? -- How can we write effectively about documentary? -- I want to make a documentary. where do I start?.