Possible formats for organizing your essay:
Thesis up front:
Statement of belief
Story of how you came to believe what you do
Comments on how that story relates to your beliefs
Finding Equality Through Logic
All Things Are Interconnected
Backing into your point
Personal context
Story that shows why you believe as you do
Statement of your belief followed by explanation of how it relates to your story
Logical format
Start with thesis
List your reasons and explain them
Elaborate if necessary to drive your point home