Choose a novel or short story in which symbolism plays an important role and discuss its impact on the reader.

Firstly, you should identify key textual evidence that you can use to answer the question. Look through key quotes from the text and find some that include symbolism or imagery. Now, you need to analyse why the writer has used symbolism and what it is actually symbolisng - more often than not, it can be related back to central themes of the text. I find it useful to note down the denotation (what is actually being said) and the connotation (the figurative meaning).

As for the impact on the reader, I'd say that most essays should come back to this to a degree so it shouldn't be too challenging. Think about how the symbolism is designed to make the reader feel or if it serves to reinforce thematic message. For example, an extended metaphor that illustrates the depression a character is feeling is likely there to elicit sympathy or understanding from the reader!