Mexico Essay Guide

1. Prompt:
Explain how
1) Political Corruption,
2)Economic inequality &
3)Drug Trafficking are Each
challenging the stability of
21st Century Mexico.

2. Respond to the Prompt Directly by Crafting an
Effective
Thesis Statement
Today, Political Corruption, Drug trafficking &
Economic Inequality all threaten Mexico’s
stability.
Mexico is struggling to overcome political
corruption, drug trafficking & economic
inequality in the 21st century.
Or Write your own Thesis Statement.

3. Essay Structure
Introduction Paragraph (2 - 3 sentence introducing
your topic; thesis statement)
Body Paragraph #1
Body Paragraph #2
Body Paragraph #3
Conclusion Paragraph (2-3 sentences summarizing your
argument; connect to larger importance for U.S.
History)

4. Body Paragraph Structure
Topic sentence
Concrete detail #1(quoting or paraphrasing from Articles)
Analysis Sentence (CM)
Analysis sentence (CM)
Concrete detail #2(quoting or paraphrasing from Articles)
Analysis Sentence (CM)
Analysis sentence (CM)
Transition to next paragraph sentence

5. Brainstorm Ideas for Concrete Details
from the Research Articles &
your Own knowledge about Mexico
Political
Corruption
Economic
Inequality
Drug
Trafficking

6. Topic Sentence Examples for Political
Corruption
Political Corruption threatens Mexico’s
stability because __________
_________________________________________
______ .
Political Corruption such as ______________
& ___________________ threaten Mexico’s
stability.

7. Political Corruption Body Paragraph
Topic
Sentence
Political corruption such as _______ & _______ threaten
Mexico’s stability.
Concrete
Detail #1
One example of political corruption in Mexico today is _____________ .
Analysis #1 This is a sign of corruption because ___________.
Analysis #2 The practice of _______ challenges Mexico’s stability because
__________________________________ .
Concrete
Detail #2
Another example of political corruption in Mexico today is
_____________________ .
Analysis #1 This is also a sign of corruption because ___________.
Analysis #2 The practice of _______ further challenges Mexico’s stability
because __________________________________ .
Transition In addition to political corruption, Mexico also struggles with
economic inequality.

8. Brainstorm Ideas for Concrete Details
from the Research Articles &
your Own knowledge about Mexico
Political
Corruption
Economic
Inequality
Drug
Trafficking

9. Topic Sentence Examples for Economic
Inequality
Economic Inequality threatens Mexico’s
stability because __________
_________________________________________
______ .
Economic Inequalities such as
_____________________ &
______________________ threaten Mexico’s
stability.

10. Economic Inequality Body Paragraph
Topic
Sentence
Economic inequality such as _______ & _______ threaten
Mexico’s stability.
Concrete
Detail #1 One example of economic inequality in Mexico today is ____________ .
Analysis #1 This is a sign of inequality because ___________.
Analysis #2 The practice of _______ challenges Mexico’s stability because
__________________________________ .
Concrete
Detail #2
Another example of economic inequality in Mexico today is
_____________________ .
Analysis #1 This is also a sign of inequality because ___________.
Analysis #2 The practice of _______ further challenges Mexico’s stability
because __________________________________ .
Transition In addition to economic inequality, Mexico also struggles with
drug trafficking.

11. Brainstorm Ideas for Concrete Details
from the Research Articles &
your Own knowledge about Mexico
Political
Corruption
Economic
Inequality
Drug
Trafficking

12. Topic Sentence Examples for Drug War
The Drug War threatens Mexico’s stability
because __________
_________________________________________
______ .
Aspects of the drug war such as
______________ & __________________
threaten Mexico’s stability.

13. Drug Trafficking Body Paragraph
Topic
Sentence
Aspects of the drug war such as _______ & _______
threaten Mexico’s stability.
Concrete
Detail #1 One example of drug trafficking in Mexico today is _____________ .
Analysis #1 This is affecting Mexico’s stability because ___________.
Analysis #2 This is also affecting Mexico’s stability because__________ .
Concrete
Another example of drug trafficking in Mexico today is
Detail #2
_____________________ .
Analysis #1 This is also affecting Mexico’s stability because ___________.
Analysis #2 The practice of _______ further challenges Mexico’s stability
because __________________________________ .
Transition Drug trafficking is a major cause of instability in Mexico today.

14. Analysis/ “CM”s
POLITICAL
CORRUPTION ECONOMIC INEQUALITY
DRUG WAR
Explain how/why CD #1 connects
to or proves your thesis
statement & topic sentence for
THE 2 ANALYSIS SENTENCES FFOORR EEAACCHH CCOONNCCRREETTEE DDEETTAAIILL AARREE
TTHHEE MMOOSSTT CCHHAALLLLEENNGGIINNGG PPOORRTTIIOONNSS OOFF TTHHEE EESSSSAAYY PPRROOCCEESSSS!!
TTHHEESSEE SSEENNTTEENNCCEESS AARREE WWHHEERREE IINNDDEEPPEENNDDEENNTT && CCRRIITTIICCAALL
TTHHIINNKKIINNGG RREEAALLLLYY HHAAPPPPEENNSS!!
this paragraph.
Explain how/why CD #1 connects
to or proves your thesis
statement & topic sentence for
this paragraph.
Explain how/why CD #1 connects
to or proves your thesis
statement & topic sentence for
this paragraph.
Explain another way that CD #1
connects to or proves your thesis
statement & topic sentence for
this paragraph.
Explain another way that CD #1
connects to or proves your thesis
statement & topic sentence for
this paragraph.
Explain another way that CD #1
connects to or proves your thesis
statement & topic sentence for
this paragraph.
Explain how/why CD #2 connects
to or proves your thesis
statement & topic sentence for
this paragraph.
Explain how/why CD #2 connects
to or proves your thesis
statement & topic sentence for
this paragraph.
Explain how/why CD #2 connects
to or proves your thesis
statement & topic sentence for
this paragraph.
Explain another way that CD #2
connects to or proves your thesis
statement & topic sentence for
this paragraph.
Explain another way that CD #2
connects to or proves your thesis
statement & topic sentence for
this paragraph.
Explain another way that CD #2
connects to or proves your thesis
statement & topic sentence for
this paragraph.

15. Introduction Paragraph
Start on
topic.
Mexico’s current political, social &
economic instability is a major concern for
the United States & the international
community.
Provide
context.
Mexico’s stability is important because
________________________________ .
Thesis.
Mexico is struggling to overcome
political corruption, drug trafficking &
economic inequality in the 21st century.

16. Conclusion Paragraph
Summarize major arguments by restating your
thesis & topic sentences in new or abbreviated
(shorter) ways.
This issue is important because
_____________________ .

17. Essay Formatting
Save Save Save your work in Google
Docs or by emailing it to yourself as an
attachment!
Double Spaced
Times new Roman
12 point Font