Perusasive or Argumentative Writing

In persuasive or argumentative writing, we try to convince others to agree with our facts, share our values, accept our argument and conclusions, and adopt our way of thinking.
Elements toward building a good persuasive essay include

establishing facts to support an argument clarifying relevant values for your audience (perspective) prioritizing, editing, and/or sequencing the facts and values in importance to build the argument forming and stating conclusions
"persuading" your audience that your conclusions are based upon the agreed-upon facts and shared values having the confidence to communicate your "persuasion" in writing
Here are some strategies to complete a persuasive writing assignment:

Write out the questions in your own words.

Think of the questions posed in the assignment while you are reading and researching. Determine

facts any sources that will help you determine their reliability
(as well as for further reference) what prejudices lie in the argument or values that color the facts or the issue what you think of the author's argument
List out facts; consider their importance: prioritize, edit, sequence, discard, etc.
Ask yourself "What's missing?"
What are the "hot buttons" of the issue?
List possible emotions/emotional reactions and recognize them for later use

Start writing a draft! (refer to: Writing essays, the basics)
Start as close as possible to your reading/research
Do not concern yourself with grammar or spelling

Write your first paragraph
Introduce the topic
Inform the reader of your point of view!
Entice the reader to continue with the rest of the paper!
Focus on three main points to develop
Establish flow from paragraph to paragraph
Keep your voice active
Quote sources to establish authority
Stay focused on your point of view throughout the essay
Focus on logical arguments
Don't lapse into summary in the development--wait for the conclusion
Conclusion
Summarize, then conclude,