Question

"While confined here in the Birmingham City Jail, I came across your recent statement calling our

present activities 'unwise and untimely! Seldom, if ever, do I pause to answer criticism of my work and

ideas. If I sought to answer all the criticisms that cross my desk, my secretaries would be engaged in

little else in the course of the day and I would have no time for constructive work. But since I feel that

you are men of genuine goodwill and your criticisms are sincerely set forth, I would like to answer

your statement in what I hope will be patient and reasonable terms."

Which rhetorical strategy does King adopt in these lines? (5 points)

He goes on the offensive by berating his opponents.

. He acknowledges and endears the opposition.

He cites facts to add credibility to his argument.

He gives examples to explain his concerns.

Answer 1

He acknowledges and endears the opposition.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the text above, we can see that King is ready to do something that he has always avoided, that is, to respond to one of the countless criticisms he receives about his work in favor of civil rights. On this occasion, although King does not agree with what his opponents are saying, he recognizes and appreciates the criticisms that these opponents are establishing, as he believes that they are doing this with sincerity, even if they are positioning themselves in the wrong way. This valorization of the opposition, can be useful when King says "But since I feel that you are men of genuine goodwill and your criticisms are sincerely set forth, I would like to answer your statement in what I hope will be patient and reasonable terms."