Gonzo Journalism Essay

        Hunter S. Thompson's article about the 1970 Kentucky Derby couldn't be farther from a regular journalist report in the sense it really has nothing to do with the results of the actual race. The article by Hunter S. Thompson is about his experience and view of the Kentucky Derby from his stand point. In the original 1970 Kentucky Derby recap, the writer is giving pure facts and details about the race going on about each horse and their performances. This is all also done from a third person perspective, which is by far the normal when it comes to journalism. When Thompson talks about the Kentucky Derby he goes on to tell a story about a conversation with a bartender, his experience there, how the people are at these events, and his view of the race from the small box he is in right in the center of the track. When Thompson shows every characteristic of Gonzo Journalism in this piece. To begin with it is all written in first person from his own perspective and actually involves conversations he had. Also he shows a lot of personality, which most journalist do not do since they are just reporting facts. When he talks to the bartender he is giving details about his personality and the bartenders through there odd conversation. The use of profanity is also a common theme among Gonzo Journalism. Thompson couldn't have nailed that one on the head any better with his extensive use of profanity in the article. Lastly Hunter S. Thompson makes great use of exaggeration and humor in his piece giving it some comic relief, adding on another key difference between Gonzo and regular journalism.