He can be taught!

"So, look it, I have to write an essay by the 23rd." Student points to his document from juvenile court.
"Okay. What are you going to do?" - me
"How am I going to write an essay. An essay!"
"Uh huh." - me
"You know how you said that we need to know how to write an essay, you know, for other stuff. Yeah." And then he nods and I see that he finally understands that the work I ask him to do in class has a purpose outside of class.
Then I went on to give him advice about how he needs to find out information on the topic before he can write the essay, and he will be coming in tomorrow to write it, and then, and only then, I will edit it for him.