Which of the following is considered an intentional tort?

In the context of tort law, intentional torts are actions taken with the intent to cause harm or offense to another person. Assault is classified as an intentional tort because it involves the deliberate act of creating a fear of imminent harm or physical contact in another individual. The key element here is the intent; the person committing the assault purposely acts in a way that puts another in fear of an imminent harmful or offensive contact. This differentiation is crucial as it distinguishes assault from unintentional torts, such as negligence, where harm results from a failure to act with reasonable care rather than from deliberative actions.

While defamation and fraud can also be considered intentional torts in their own rights, the question specifically identifies assault as the correct answer based on its direct implications of intent to cause fear or harm. In summary, assault is characterized by this intent to influence or harm another individual, which is the defining factor that substantiates its classification as an intentional tort.