Judges’ Review 2025

This year’s writing contest presented a particularly challenging theme that required political awareness and sensitivity to global and domestic issues. Despite the complexity of the topics, many contestants impressed us with their insight, balanced reasoning, and maturity in argumentation. Their essays revealed a deep understanding of current affairs and a genuine willingness to engage with them thoughtfully.

The native-speaker category dealt with political violence and civil discourse—an issue that demands both empathy and intellectual balance. The strongest essays approached this sensitive topic with academic objectivity while maintaining a humane voice. They demonstrated a strong command of structure, persuasive reasoning, and nuanced vocabulary. The best submissions questioned the causes of political aggression while offering constructive paths toward civility. Some essays, however, tended to overgeneralize or lean too heavily on emotional appeal without fully substantiating their claims. In a few cases, stylistic fluency was evident but logical development or example-based support was limited. Maintaining a tighter thesis focus and grounding abstract arguments in concrete evidence would elevate already eloquent writing to a more scholarly level.

The non-native-speaker category explored Generation Z’s digital activism, a topic requiring both analytical and ethical sensitivity. Many writers articulated thoughtful perspectives on how online movements can empower social awareness while also fueling misinformation. The most successful essays presented a coherent thesis, consistent organization, and relevant real-world examples—linking global digital culture to local experiences such as social justice, environmental awareness, or collective memory. While some essays suffered from repetitive phrasing, grammatical slips, or vague reasoning, these often-reflected ambition rather than misunderstanding. The creativity and engagement shown by many non-native participants were commendable, especially their ability to connect abstract ideas with social realities. 

Overall, this year’s submissions demonstrated intellectual curiosity, moral engagement, and the courage to write about difficult truths. The judges sincerely hope that all participants continue refining their writing, sharpening their reasoning, and using language—English or otherwise—as a tool for thoughtful expression and responsible change.

By Kim Jeong-a, Ph.D., Lecturer, Language Education Center, Chonnam National University
James Green, Assistant Professor, Department of English Language and Literature, Chosun University