Step 1: What is your point of view? Write a temporary thesis statement.
Step 2: Why is this your viewpoint and how are you going to persuade your readers? Brainstorm and think of arguments. Write down whatever you can think of.
Step 3: What is a natural order of presenting your arguments? Make an essay outline.
Step 4: Write your topic sentences.
Step 5: Write your introduction and body paragraphs. It doesn't matter in which order, you can start at any point.
Step 6: Re-write your thesis statement, including the arguments from your body paragraphs.
Step 7: Write your conclusion.
Step 8: Re-read your entire essay a couple of times. Make sure everything is tied together, makes sense, whether things are in the logical order, maybe add some linking words.