The aim of this paper is to identify, in a qualitative and quantitative manner and by means of a case study, the discursive and personal difficulties faced when writing an academic essay by first-year students of the teacher training degree at Villarrica UC Campus (Chile). The sample comprised 33 students and six staff. The students prepared a discursive essay that was evaluated with ten different criteria, and took part in focus groups, together with their teachers. The results show that students lack knowledge about preparing an essay, above all in spelling, counter-arguing, and intertextuality. In addition, a number of emotional factors interfere in the process. For this reason specific education about the writing process is required.