Okay the first thing you need to do is chill for a minute. Staring at a computer screen only leads to more staring at a computer screen. Go for a mini walk or get a coffee or check the letterbox or something.
Then come back, get a piece of paper & a pen, and write down in point form everything you do know already without doing any research. Even if it's just "introduction - gorillas live in Rwanda. This essay will talk about the gorillas living in Rwanda and their process of extinction", "paragraph about gorillas dying out. find evidence".
Then go find research. Find a bunch of books, or websites and just dump them on the floor in front of you and start piece by piece putting your essay together.
What I found once, was getting an old essay of mine that I did well in, or was proud of, and using that as a starting point. So, even if it was about how Impressionist artists use light in their work, and my current essay is about Gorillas, it just helped me to start. I used the structure of my introduction and just changed bits from "impressionism" to "gorillas".
If you find yourself doing the "stare" thing, get away from the computer. Move around a little and think of what you're going to write down next, then come back and write it.
http://buslist.org/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=41662 If you haven't checked out this thread, then do so, it's very helpful.
Chip away bit by bit and you'll get there. And no matter what, remember that whatever happens, the best that you can do is good enough.
Good luck, both of you
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