I'm planning to write a essay on literacy but I don't know where to start.
Well, first find the facts as to why it is important. Sketch them down in point form.
Then start writing your first draft; Start with introducing the term "literacy".... You can even start with a good and meaningful quote on literacy. If you google you can find many nice ones. Then define what literacy is and write about one or two sentences to say how it positively influence the development of a person and the human society at large.
Then take your first point in the first para. Expand that idea, discuss it thoroughly and give examples wherever it is possible.
I hope the following link may help you;
envis.maharashtra.gov.in/envis_data/newsletter/envlit/imp_of_lite racy.html
:)