Consider the elements of the work of literature you are writing about. Think about the plot, identifying characteristics of the characters, significance of the setting, point of view of the story, symbolism presented in the text, concurrent or underlying themes throughout the story and consistency in style, tone and irony.
Annotate your text as you read -- make marginal notes and underline or highlight words and phrases. Record your reactions to the story in a journal as you read.
Devise a clear thesis to focus the essay. The thesis is the central idea of the paper explaining your essay's intentions on the subject. Your thesis should be at least one complete sentence, but can extend further so long as every word serves a purpose. Consult your annotations or journal to help think of a thesis, or try freewriting: writing nonstop without consideration for rules on a specific question you pose on your work of literature. For example, you can freewrite regarding the reasons behind Hamlet's procrastination in avenging his father.
Organize your essay according to your thesis. Divide your essay into parts to explain the major sections of your essay. For example:
"1. Pleasures of the Flesh
Part of the traditional tone of love poetry."
Write a first draft of the body paragraphs according to your outline, incorporating and revising your thesis as new ideas come to you.
Print out your draft and make corrections. Mark words, phrases, sentences and even entire paragraphs for removal if they have no place in supporting or furthering your thesis. Reorder the body paragraphs so the ideas of each flow into one other in a more conducive fashion.
Write the introduction and conclusion. You may write them with your first draft, but saving these paragraphs for after you establish the meat of the essay provides a clearer sense of how to introduce your subject. Think about using quotations to illustrate and support the ideas of your essay. Conclude the essay by relating back to examples used in the beginning paragraph, but emphasizing a deeper understanding of the story as a whole.
Create a works cited page for sources used for your essay. Cite books in print by the author's last and first name, title of the work, edition, volume, publication location, publisher, year of publication and format.