This document provides guidance on writing an essay about the challenges facing 21st century Mexico due to political corruption, economic inequality, and drug trafficking. It includes examples of thesis statements, topic sentences for each body paragraph, and how to structure body paragraphs with concrete details, analysis sentences, and transitions. The document emphasizes using evidence from research articles and developing critical analysis in the body paragraphs to fully support the thesis.

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
Topic Paragraph
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
Topic Paragraph
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
Topic Paragraph
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