Choose a topic that interests you. A common saying among writers goes, "No discovery for the writer, no discovery for the reader." As you work your way through the assigned readings, make a note of themes you would like to better understand.
Meet with your professor at some point during the brainstorming process. Let her know what you're thinking about and get some feedback. Getting direction early in the game can help you move forward, confident in the knowledge that you're not wasting your time with a bad topic.
Develop a focused thesis. Because your space is limited, the range of your thesis should be quite small. For instance, it is impossible to write a good five page paper on women in Shakespeare's "Hamlet." A subject so broad could take an entire book to develop. If you want to write about women, you could instead limit your scope to one character.
Brainstorm points significant to your thesis. After you have chosen a topic, take some time to think about the relationship between theme, plot, characterization and symbolism. Giving your thoughts a day or two to gel can make all the difference between a mediocre and an outstanding paper.
Make a detailed outline that starts with your thesis and culminates with your unique interpretation. For each argument you plan to make, gather the quotes that you'll be using to back it up. Writing a good English paper means always returning to the text.
Write the paper. If your thesis is good and your outline developed, actually writing the paper is the easiest part. While writing your English paper, reward yourself with a small break after every page. Giving your brain a chance to regroup will make your writing better and your thoughts more focused.
Get somebody to read your paper before you turn it in. If you are indeed an English major, your professor will not be impressed to find glaring grammatical or spelling errors. Preferably, you should give your paper to a classmate