How do I structure an exam style answer to a question?

The best way to structure an answer to include all of the components necessary for a strong argument is by using the SEA structure which is short for: statement, evidence, analysis. So, to start the answer it is best to decide what it is you want to say about the text and outline this in a few sentences that you can then provide textual evidence for. Once you have put forward your idea and shown evidence of where this idea/interpretation can be found in the text you have created the perfect groundwork for your analysis of what this does to the text and how your interpretation supports an your overall argument. The analysis stage can be a great opportunity to consider the context (circumstances surrounding the text) of the piece you are analyzing and the importance of this for the development of the concepts in the text. Furthermore, for accurate analysis of a text a great starting point is searching for literary devices such as metaphors, alliteration, personification etc to find textual evidence for your ideas, whilst it can also help inspire your ideas surrounding the text.