Abstract: Xu Juzheng, a literary theorist of the early Joseon Dynasty who was much influenced by the Chinese literary theories, argued that “writing categories vary across dynasties” and “styles vary across writing categories.” He examined the relation between the Tao and writing, insisting on the importance of the Tao and contending that writing is the vehicle of the Tao while the Tao is the key point to writing. His other contentions include the idea that “writing helps the state.” His points were highly logical as they are presented in the negative arguments followed by positive ones.

Key words: Xu Juzheng, “writing category varying across dynasties”, “style varying across writing categories”, idea on writing and the Tao, “writing helping the state”