Make a list of all of the elements of the book -- setting, characterization, theme, symbol, plot structure and point of view. Find concrete details in the book for each. Determine which element offers the strongest supporting material and pick that as your topic.
Create a thesis statement centering around the angle you have decided to take. For example, if you selected setting, determine the effect of the setting on the outcome of the novel or how two settings within it can be compared or contrasted. Write a sentence that encapsulates the idea you wish to discuss in the paper.
Go back to your original notes and highlight details that support the thesis you have created. Find quotations from the book to strengthen your topic. Ideally, you should have at least three major examples that corroborate your thesis statement before you begin writing.
Begin your introduction with a lead idea that captures the topic you are writing about. If the topic you chose was the effect of the setting, use a generalized statement about the importance of setting. For example, "A place can shape a situation; it can even define it."
Introduce the author and title of your book. Remember to underline the title or put it in italics. Give a general summary of the entire novel in no more than two sentences. Use a transitional phrase to connect the summary to the specific topic you are examining in the paper. Finish your introduction with the thesis statement.