How can I structure my exam answers better when writing about an unseen passage?

In the mark scheme at English A level, there is often reference to 'form' (e.g. context, letters vs novels), 'structure' (the order in which ideas emerge in the passage) and 'language' (the use of specific words, metaphors and images). As the mark schemes mention them, they can become a guide to structuring your essay answers. So, after reading and annotating the passage you have been given, in your plan you can arrange these annotations under the subheadings of 'form', 'structure' and 'language'. In turn, this means that all you have to do is think about the order of 3/4 points in each paragraph, rather than worry about how you are going to tie every idea in the entire piece of work together. It is also useful as it gives a clear sense to the marker that you understand what has been asked.