1. Voice-Over Narration:

By adding depth to the narrative, voice-overs help to convey the creator's message in a way that visuals alone cannot achieve. They act as a guide for the audience, leading them through the story, offering insights, establishing mood and tone, and emphasizing key points that might otherwise go unnoticed.

2. Expert Interviews:

This directorial choice establishes ethos and credibility to the film. Including interviews with experts provides insight, allowing vital information about the story to be communicated. Providing an opportunity for individuals to tell their experiences directly to the audience. Oftentimes, graphics are displayed on the screen to provide a title and/or background of those being interviewed.

3. Archival Footage:

There are many types of archive footage. For example, home video footage, news roll, event footage, behind the scenes footage, mobile phone footage, drone footage, and even GoPro footage. Implementing archive material can help viewers connect with the topic and adds integrity to the film. These visuals also help the audience to fully realize events that they did not personally witness, which provides pathos, logos, and ethos.

4. Still Shot Images:

Documentary films are a visual medium, so the goal is to show and not just tell. Using photos in a documentary can be another powerful technique to tell a story and is especially useful for visualising the past. Photographs are used to show emotions, capture the message of the film, and have a tremendous impact on the viewer.

5. Diegetic Sound:

Diegetic sound is any sound that emanates from the storyworld of the film. The term comes from the word diegesis, which is the evolution of a Greek term that means narration or narrative. The source of diegetic sound doesn't necessarily need to be seen on screen, as long as the audience understands that it is coming from something within the film.

The following are examples of diegetic sound:

• Character dialogue
• Object sounds that make a film more realistic (natural ambiance of the city)
• Music emanating from within in the film (pounding dance music at a bar)

6. Non-Diegetic Sound:

Non-diegetic sound, also called commentary or nonliteral sound, is any sound that does not originate from within the film’s world. The film’s characters are not able to hear non-diegetic sound. All non-diegetic sound is added by sound editors in post-production.

The following are examples of non-diegetic sound:

• The film’s musical score (sets the film’s tone, manipulates emotions, adds drama, etc.)
• Sound effects for dramatic effect (a record scratch sound added for comic relief)
• A narration or voice over that is used to help explain or reinforce the plot

7. Docudrama (Re-enactment):

This is a unique sub genre. Dramatization within the film and having characters interact with each other will intensify the subject and contribute to the work's emotional appeal.

8. Graphics & Computer Generated Imaging:

Graphics are visual elements often used to point readers and viewers to particular information. They are also used to supplement text in an effort to aid readers in their understanding of a particular concept or make the concept more clear or interesting. They can be used to enhance the scenery, fill in the gaps in the storyline, or animate between scenes.