Essay / Logical Writing (논술)
What the exam tests
논술 tests structured argumentation in Korean: thesis, logical support, counterargument, and conclusion. Topics often concern public safety, maritime jurisdiction, environment, or balance between liberty and enforcement.
Core rules
- State a clear thesis in the introduction. Do not merely summarize the prompt.
- Use 2–3 body paragraphs, each with a claim, evidence, and reasoning. Evidence can be legal principles, statistics, or historical examples, but must be explained.
- Address the strongest counterargument and rebut it. This shows judgment.
- Use formal, impersonal prose. Avoid emotional adjectives and unsupported assertions.
- Conclude by restating the thesis and proposing a feasible standard or policy.
Worked example
Prompt: 'Should the Coast Guard prioritize rescue or enforcement?' A weak answer lists both. A strong answer argues that rescue is the primary duty because the 해양경찰법 places search and rescue among core duties, while enforcement must be exercised proportionally. It concedes that enforcement prevents accidents, then rebuts that this does not justify delaying rescue. It proposes a triage rule: immediate rescue first, enforcement after stabilization.
Traps
Do not write a persuasive speech. Do not ignore the counterargument. Do not use legal citations without explaining them. Do not end with a vague 'we must try harder.'