Which form of defamation is written?

• A. Slander
• B. Defamation
• C. Libel
• D. Assault

Answer: (C)

Libel is written defamation. It covers false statements about a person that are published in a fixed form—print, online posts, emails, newsletters, etc.—and that harm the person’s reputation. The written nature creates a lasting record and broad potential reach, which often makes damages easier to prove. By contrast, slander is defamation that is spoken; it’s typically more transient and harder to prove unless it leaves a lasting record or is widely disseminated. Defamation is the general term that includes both libel and slander, while assault is a separate criminal act involving threats or physical harm, not false statements about someone’s reputation. For a dentist, a false written claim about incompetence published publicly would be libel.