What is Gonzo journalism
Journalists are usually expected to report news in a neutral manner, avoiding involvement in the news story and presenting readers with the facts in as balanced a manner as possible. Gonzo journalism, one of the most famous and most imitated styles of the last half-century, throws a spanner in the works of this conventional style of reporting, provoking strong opinions both for and against.
The journalist at the heart of the story
Gonzo journalism is a style that places the journalist at the heart of the story. The article, as a result, might be a mixture of factual information, coupled with the journalist’s own viewpoints and experiences.
The gonzo journalist is involved in the story and reports his or her impressions of events. These can be presented in a story told from the first person, often giving as much attention to the writer’s experience of the event as to the event itself.
Where the name comes from
Many of the elements of the style are found in the writings of the American writer Hunter S. Thompson. The term as applied to Thompson’s work was first used in 1970 by Bill Cardoso, then an editor at The Boston Globe’s magazine, in describing Thompson’s article “The Kentucky Derby Is Decadent and Depraved” as pure gonzo journalism. Thompson went on to use the approach in books such as Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
The word “gonzo” itself has several theories regarding its origin. Cardoso said that “gonzo” is South Boston Irish slang for the last man standing at the end of an all-night drinking bout. There are several other explanations given by Cardoso for the word “gonzo” and there are several other theories. Regardless, the style of writing known as “gonzo” became famous in the 1970s and has since been the inspiration for many other writers.
Budding journalists will no doubt be fascinated by this unusual approach. This and many other styles are typically covered in a journalism course, such as those offered by https://schoolofjournalism.co.uk/.
The gonzo style
Gonzo writing is often a fusion of reportage and satire, focusing on sharp social commentary. By centring on the writer, gonzo pieces are more opinionated, personal and sometimes darkly funny than traditional journalism. Exaggeration, vivid descriptions and loose, energetic structures that resemble novels more than news reports are also hallmarks of the style.
| Traditional reporting | Gonzo journalism | |
|---|---|---|
| Point of view | Third person, the reporter stays out of the story | First person, the writer is part of the story |
| Tone | Neutral and measured | Personal, opinionated, often satirical |
| Aim | Report what happened fairly | Capture how it felt to be there |
| Structure | Most important facts first | Loose, story-led |
A passionate perspective
Gonzo journalism appeals to many writers. Firstly, it allows them to immerse themselves in a subject they care about. Secondly, unlike conventional reporting, it doesn’t require them to stay objective. Instead, they can relate their own feelings, experiences and reactions, and even create a plot with themselves as the protagonist.
It is, however, a form of writing that has to be used within limits. The reader has to be able to tell when the writer is giving facts and when they are expressing an opinion or exaggerating. In most newsrooms, the gonzo style is reserved for features, columns and long-form writing. It is not used for straight news reporting.
Gonzo journalism today
The influence of gonzo can be seen in many first-person features, immersive documentaries, in some podcasts and in much of the online writing. Although few people now write in the full style of Thompson, most recognise that the reporter’s own experience can be part of the story.
Frequently asked questions
Is gonzo journalism still real journalism?
It can be. At its best it is based on real reporting of real events and real people, and the writer’s own experience and perspective adds extra depth to the article. However, when a writer invents things or exaggerates, and then presents them as fact, then it becomes a problem. Good first-person writing clearly distinguishes between what the writer observed, and what the writer thinks about it.
Who was Hunter S. Thompson?
Hunter S. Thompson was an American journalist and author, best known for Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, as well as his political reporting in the 1970s. Hunter S. Thompson is the writer most associated with gonzo journalism, and his larger-than-life persona seeped into his work.
Where to go next
If you are thinking about a career in the media, read our guide to the top skills journalists need to have.
