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?
Appendix: Sample film project proposal

The third edition of Bill Nichols's best-selling text provides an up-to-date introduction to the most important issues in documentary history and criticism. A new chapter, "I Want to Make a Documentary: Where Do I Start?" guides readers through the steps of planning and preproduction and includes an example of a project proposal for a film that went on to win awards at major festivals. Designed for students in any field that makes use of visual evidence and persuasive strategies, Introduction to Documentary identifies the genre's distinguishing qualities and teaches the viewer how to read documentary film. Each chapter takes up a discrete question, from "How did documentary filmmaking get started?" to "Why are ethical issues central to documentary filmmaking?" Here Nichols has fully rewritten each chapter for greater clarity and ease of use, including revised discussions of earlier films and new commentary on dozens of recent films from The Cove to The Act of Killing and from Gasland to Restrepo.