Which of the following is not considered an integral part of a contract?

In the context of contract law, a contract is formed through a series of key components, of which the offer, acceptance, and counteroffer are all essential elements. An offer represents one party's proposal to enter into an agreement, while acceptance is the unambiguous indication from another party that they agree to the terms of that proposal. A counteroffer occurs when the initial offeree proposes different terms, thereby rejecting the original offer but suggesting a new agreement.

Negotiation, however, refers to the discussions and processes that take place prior to the formation of a contract. It encompasses the exploration of terms, potential changes, and compromise between the parties and does not itself constitute a binding agreement. While negotiation is a crucial phase in reaching an agreement, it does not represent a formal part of the contract once it has been established. Hence, negotiations are typically preliminary steps leading to the components that actually form a contract, which is why they do not qualify as an integral part of a contract.