Can somebody explain what a persuasive essay is and what it has to be about?

Me determine which are quote or paraphrase.

We will be learning about animals that live in the arctic. your assignment is to find information about one animal in the arctic. be sure that you find the following information about the animal: average height and weight, appearance, diet, shelter, mating habits, and any other interesting or important facts. we will use the information that you gather in the research with an in-class project. be sure to keep track of your sources; your final project will require a works cited page. in an internet search engine, which group of keywords is most appropriate for this assignment? a) project, arctic, diet b) arctic, animals, facts c) cold, appearance, animals d) average height and weight, one animal

3. of all the characters highlighted in the works included in this unit, which one did you relate to or identify with the most in terms of his or her struggles and conflicts? why? what was it about this character that made him or her affect you as he or she did? be sure to point to specific examples from the work to support your response.