Urban Legends

1. False Urban Legends Exaggerated True Distorted

2. Urban Legends Urban legends are usually shocking, weird or funny tales. These tales are retold numerous times because most people believe that they are true.

3. Information that are important when recognizing a urban legend are highlighted . The blind man An attractive young woman was taking a shower one day and the doorbell started ringing. She jumped out to get it, but couldn't find a towel to wrap herself in. As she headed for the bedroom to grab something, she yelled "Who's there?" The voice called out, "It's the blind man." The woman guessed he wanted to sell some pencils or something and stopped, realizing she didn't have to get any of her clothes wet, he couldn't see her anyway. When she opened the door a wide-eyed man in gray coveralls asked her "Uh, where do you want me to hang your blinds?" http://www.snopes.com/embarrass/buff/blindman.asp

4. Trumped out A man I work with claims his father was driving down the I-75 freeway here in Michigan a few years ago and saw a stranded limousine on the side of the road. The father thinks that the limousine may be in need of assistance and he pulls to the side of the road and walks up to the drivers side window of the limousine, offering his cellular phone if needed. The driver gratefully accepts the phone and indicates the car's own phone was not working correctly. A few months go by, and one morning the man and his wife are eating breakfast at home when their doorbell rings. The wife answers the door to find a gigantic flower arrangement delivery. After getting the arrangement in the door, both read the attached card. The card reads: "Thank you very much for the help. We have paid off your mortgage.“— Donald and Ivana Trump http://www.snopes.com/luck/trump.asp

5. All urban legends have similar characteristics that helps you identify them. These are questions you should ask yourself when spotting an urban legend. Evaluate the information you heard: Did it sound like a narrative story with a beginning, middle and end? It may have been a urban legend. Did it have a surprise ending or end with a joke or a punch line? It may have been a urban legend.

6. Did it start with “this is a true story” If so it may have been a urban legend. Have you heard the same story but in a different version? If so it may have been a urban legend. Did it seem like there was a lot of coincidence in the story? If so it may have been a urban legend. Was there no specific names or information in the story? Most likely it was a urban legend.

7. To prove if an story is true or false research the topic in books or websites and also look for evidence.

8. An original urban legend by Alexandria Bartley Texting One night a teenage girl was suddenly abducted from her house. In the time of the ambush, she luckily grabbed her cell phone. While she was in the strangers car, she secretly began making calls. Unfortunately none of her calls went through because she had no minutes. Remembering that she had unlimited texting, she began texting everyone she knew. All the text’s had the same reply “stop lying”. Her last text was to “911”. The text was immediately return because the police department can not receive text’s. The kidnapper suddenly noticed her suspicious act. He then grabbed the cell from her hand and threw it out the window. From that night the girl was never heard from again.