GOSSIP AND RUMORS

Reading and Writing Well

Gossip and Rumors

YOU TUBE: Words Hurt - Verbal Bullying

Gossip is talk that is somehow “juicy,” meaning it deals with subjects that are shocking or personal.

Gossip is usually about things like love and relationships, or private things that people don’t talk openly about.

Gossip about a person is usually spread behind that person’s back.

Gossip can be true, false, or a rumor.

It's My Life


	Have you ever been the victim of a hurtful rumor? How did you deal with it?


You hear a juicy tidbit from a friend, who heard it from another friend, who heard it from a person in the hall, who read it on a note passed in math class, which was written by somebody who probably just made it up. Chances are, rumors and gossip are always floating around your school or community. That’s totally normal. After all,		Topics on Gossip And Rumors: Did You Hear? What The Words Mean Different Types Why Do People Do It? Why It Hurts, Why It's Wrong Breaking The Chain When The Rumor's About You From the Mentors

everyone gossips…even parents, celebrities, and politicians. It’s part of how we communicate and stay connected with other people’s lives. Sometimes, this is harmless, but at other times it can be very hurtful to individuals, friendships, and whole groups of people. Did you know that spreading rumors about someone is a form of bullying? Yep. Let’s talk about what rumors and gossip really are, why people circulate them, and how you can stop them from doing damage to you and the people you care about. We also have lots of comments from IML’ers about their opinions on this issue. Our thanks to Sheryl Gonda, M.A., a National Trainer and Co-Facilitator of the Mentor Team with the Ophelia Project in Erie, PA, for her contribution to this topic. We’ll start by looking at What The Words Mean.
Explore the topic of rumors and gossip a little more deeply with a printable IML Journal page and our list of fiction and non-fiction books on the subject. You can also print out and play our “Rumors and Gossip” Crossword Puzzle!


E-mail this page to a friend Get printable version of this page


	Catch the latest buzz and do some Rumor Control!


	How do most rumors get started? They’re mostly true stories. They’re things people have misheard or gotten wrong. Somebody just makes them up.




	Take our "Raging Rumors" Quiz!


	low-res hi-res Gossip and Rumors What's the Difference?

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