The results of the UIUC Rhetoric Student Essay Contest were recently announced, with Lu Zihan, class of 2028 in Electrical Engineering, and Xu Junhan, class of 2028 in Mechanical Engineering at ZJUI, recognized as winners of the 2025 Autumn/Winter Contest under the guidance of UIUC Adjunct Faculty Lecturers Ashley Barr and Mary Lucille Hays. Both students distinguished themselves through original research topics, strong analytical reasoning, and eloquent writing, excelling in the contest with native English speakers.
Lu Zihan, class of 2028 in Electrical Engineering
Lu Zihan's essay, “The Reduced Desire to Have Children Among Young Chinese Women,” explored the social and psychological factors behind declining fertility rates. She combined academic research and real-world observations to analyze why many young women are choosing to delay or forgo having children. Lu Zihan credited her award winning to the guidance of Lecturer Ashley Barr, who helped her gradually master the writing framework and patiently guided her on how to focus the research direction and organize the logic of analysis. Additionally, she shared that the Rhetoric courses helped cultivate her critical thinking, allowing her to identify the entry point more precisely and achieve clear logic and convincing arguments, truly advancing her writing skills. Coincidentally, Lecturer Ashley praised her for going beyond conventional explanations and contributing meaningfully to the discussion.
▲ Ashley Barr's Comments on Lu Zihan's Article
Xu Junhan, class of 2028 in Mechanical Engineering
Xu Junhan's essay, “From Convenience to Sustainability: Redesigning an Integrated Framework for Greening Food Delivery,” examined the environmental impact of the food delivery industry and proposed a systematic framework for sustainable practices, including biodegradable packaging, recycling systems, and low-carbon delivery methods. Xu Junhan noted that the article writing deepened his understanding of sustainability and practical problem-solving, and he highlighted the Rhetoric courses' role in systematically teaching him how to conduct academic research, develop rigorous arguments, and express complex ideas clearly. Professor Mary Lucille Hays expressed her pride in Xu Junhan's performance, emphasizing his attentive perseverance, and commitment to excellence, and affirmed that his success was well earned.
The Rhetoric 101-Principles of Writing and Rhetoric 102-Principles of Research courses offered by ZJUI focus on guiding students to explore their areas of personal interest. They foster students' critical thinking skills through heuristic teaching methods, while also enhancing their communication and expression skills. The curriculum bridges the gap between theory and practice by empowering students to develop a framework for systematic thinking. Participants will strengthen their core writing abilities while learning to tackle complex problems through a multicultural lens. This process sharpens their cultural awareness and equips them to contribute fresh, innovative perspectives in a global context.
