What distinguishes slander from libel?

Slander is defined specifically as spoken defamation, which is the key characteristic that distinguishes it from libel. While both terms relate to defamation, slander refers to harmful statements made orally, whereas libel pertains to defamation that occurs in a written or published format. This distinction is crucial in legal contexts because the medium through which the defamation is conveyed can impact the nature of evidence required in court and the potential damages sought by the injured party.

Other options do not accurately reflect the definitions or legal criteria for slander. For instance, stating that slander involves written statements inaccurately describes the term, since that aspect is actually tied to libel. Communication to a third party is typically a requirement for both slander and libel, ruling out the third option as relevant. Finally, suggesting that slander is limited to private statements doesn't hold true, as slanderous statements can be made publicly as well, as long as they are communicated to another person. Thus, understanding that slander is specifically about spoken words is fundamental to grasping the distinction between these two forms of defamation.