How do you approach a question when you first receive it and then go about planning an essay?

Underline key words, ie. if the question is 'What is the significance of women in Of Mice and Men?' you would underline 'what', 'significance', 'women' and 'Of Mice and Men'. This allows you to keep on task and answer the question directly without going off track.
For planning, you should start with an introduction, followed by 2-3 paragraphs (depending on time) and finish with a conclusion. The paragraphs should be structured with the PETE method (point, evidence, technique, explanation), ie. Using the same question as above:Introduction. Introduce your argument
Point 1. P. Women contrast the men and show the isolation created by the Great DepressionE. Find a quote to matchT. Describe the technique used by the author in this quoteE. Link the quote back to your main point and then the question (how does the point show the significance of women in the novel)
Point 2. P. Women represent one of the marginalised groups and are used by Steinbeck to reinforce the hopelessness of the eraE. QuoteT. TechniqueE. Link
Point 3.P. Women demonstrate the death of the American dreamE. QuoteT. TechniqueE. Link
Conclusion. Round off your argument and your findings, make a powerful final statement answering the initial question - do not make any new points.