1. Documentary and Opinion Writing Terms

2. Definitions Personal Opinion Writing Documentary non-fiction
"documents" reality
reveal an unusual, interesting or unknown angle on a topic
expresses the writer’s opinion so that the reader will understand it and be convinced that it is valid

3. Same for Both Topic Thesis -What is it about? Topic = Mcdonalds
What is the director (docs) or writer (essay) trying to make you believe about your topic?
Thesis = Mcdonalds is deliberately unhealthy and even addictive

4. Same for Both Bias Audience
Favouring one side of the argument over the other
The group for whom the documentary or writing is intended
This influences which techniques are used by the writer or director to either influence or maintain their opinion.

5. Interviews
“Role” the most important (eg. teen mom, environmental scientist, government official)
Provides perspectives, facts, opinions to support the thesis
Often highly edited

6. Live Action Footage Spontaneous footage Lends a sense of reality/truth
Provides visual support for thesis
Think about it—would you act the same if you knew you were being filmed?

7. Re-enactment Footage Depiction of the event, acted out at a later time
Provides visual support, point of reference
Is an interpretation of the actual event

8. Historical Footage Footage of historical events, shot as they happened
Often treated as factual
Considered primary source material, therefore trustworthy as evidence
Provides historical frame of reference

9. Stock Footage
General footage, often shot by another filmmaker and/or for use in another project
Often used to create mood, enhance atmosphere, support main idea

10. Scripted Dialogue or Interviews
Prepared in advance
Ask yourself: who wrote the script? Who is really speaking?
Hint: Watch for a “shine-free” face which has been “prepped” for the camera

11. Unscripted More spontaneous, therefore appears more trustworthy
Ask yourself: has the speaker considered what he/she is saying, or is it an impulsive reaction?
Hint—Watch for those micro-expressions we learned about in the oral communication unit

12. Narrator/Voice-over
Tells us what we should be understanding ab out what we are seeing
Hint—it helps to have someone famous to do the voice-over

13. Facts Used as evidence Used to persuade Facts can be manipulated
Consider: Does the filmmaker clearly identify the source? Is the source trustworthy?

14. Music Used as background Manipulates viewer’s emotions

15. Animation Shows something that would be difficult to film
Offers variety with viewing experience

16. Personal Opinion Writing

17. Evidence--Studies
-a controlled experiment or trial that looks at the effect of something (medicine, drug, experience) on people
Eg. Habitual chocolate eaters have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and strokes compared to people who didn't eat chocolate.
What makes it a worth using?
(scientists at the University of Aberdeen, published in a scientific journal)

18. Evidence: Statistics The “evidence” from studies Uses numbers
Eg. Traffic fatalities decrease between 8 and 11 percent in states where marijuana is legal.
Medical Marijuana Laws, Traffic Fatalities, and Alcohol Consumption Author(s): D. Mark Anderson, Benjamin Hansen, and Daniel I. Rees Source: Journal of Law and Economics, Vol. 56, No. 2 (May 2013), pp Published by: The University of Chicago Press for The Booth School of Business of the University of Chicago and The University of Chicago Law School
Compare to this:

19. Evidence: Experts The best ones are “professionals”
Used to present evidence or professional experience to support the thesis

20. Language Techniques
Metaphor --Life is a highway. Simile—The lake was like a mirror. Personification—The wind seemed to laugh at me. Imagery—The acrid stench from his cigar seemed to burn off all of my nose hairs and painfully cauterize the soft flesh. Hyperbole—I almost killed him with my laser gaze.

21. Anecdotes
-a personal story or experience used to convince the reader Eg. I remember when I had really bad day after having to work a double shift at work…