Creating Essay Structure - What to do when the question doesn't provide structure

Every now and then you will strike a truly horrible question.
One that is so vague that it is unclear how to go about answering it.

In these cases:

1) Re-assess the question
Before you go any further make absolutely clear that the question is not providing any structure. Does it give you the key topic? Does it suggest that you should take a certain approach? Does it use any key essay words? If it does use those words to build your essay structure. If it does not you're going to have to try something else...

2) If possible, ask for clarification
If the question is really this bad chances are you won't be the only one with issues. Ask your tutor, lecturer, or similar to provide clarification. This will benefit the whole class.

3) Revert to standard essay structure.
At the very least the essay question should have provided you with a topic. As a general rule essays:
Define what they're talking about
then
Give some background about what they're talking about
then
Discuss important implications of what they're talking about. This can include strengths, limitations, practical applications, relevance in today's society etc. etc.