Gossip, Fact or Opinion...

Originally posted by INS2U
How do you distinguish these three.

Say for instance, I am recounting a story about someone that I observed...a story which is potentially slanderous. Does this count as gossip, or is it a fact according to how I saw it, or is it my opinion about what happened?

This would be gossiping.

Or if I'm voicing how I feel about a person's character, based on a negative experience I had with them...is this merely my opinion, or is it the beginning of spreading gossip?

This would be you stating your opinion, if it's based on personal experience.

It would be gossiping if you allow your feelings to cause you to make untrue or unverified statements.

Gossip is rumor or talk of a personal, sensational, or intimate nature.

Rumor is a piece of unverified information of uncertain origin usually spread by word of mouth.

Facts are knowledge or information based on real occurrences.

Opinion is a belief or conclusion held with confidence but not substantiated by positive knowledge or proof.