In addition to the answer by akannan, which is an excellent answer, you may find that your teacher is interested in your knowing about different types of poetic devices.

Longfellow is using a type of rhythm in the poem that reminds you of the galloping beat of the horses hooves. 9 syllables per line is almost iambic pentameter which should contain 10 syllables per line with a stressed and unstressed syllable per "meter foot".

Longfellow uses his stanzas to group different phases of Paul Revere's ride together. His stanzas are not of consistent length, but the length of each stanza either moves the reader along or slows the reader down to emphasize the passage of time.

He also used a variety of poetic devices to convey urgency and fear to the reader regarding the epic ride of Paul Revere.

The watchful night-wind, as it went
Creeping along from tent to tent,
And seeming to whisper, "All is well!"
personification
A line of black, that bends and floats
On the rising tide, like a bridge of boats.
simile
As it rose above the graves on the hill,
Lonely and spectral and somber and still.
alliteration

Longfellow uses extended simile and metaphors to make comparisons that stick in your mind. There is a thrill of doing this rushed thing by moonlight only. The comparisons are easily remembered and quoted to this day.

Longfellow ends his poem with an open rather than a closed syllable allowing you to have your mouth open at the end of the poem. This gives the reader a feeling of exhaustion and even allows a sigh. It is as though the reader has been on the ride with Paul Revere.

There are several elements that enhance the meaning of the Longfellow's poem.  The first would be present in the opening lines, whose tone is one of calling out to others in telling a story, regaling in a glory laden event in  history.  Such a tone establishes the feeling that what is to be experienced is to be of mythic proportions.  The imagery of Revere rowing in the dead of night, waiting and examining the canvass for the impending British is enhanced with such pictures as Revere rowing the waters with "muffled oar," enhancing the danger present and stealth needed in Revere's successful execution of his mission.  In addition to this, Longfellow's description of the British Somerset is filled with ominous and foreboding, almost to enhance the palpable sensation of fear present.  The tone of intrigue and silence, a calm before the storm, is also employed throughout the rising conflict phases of the poem.  This mood is replaced with intensity and Longfellow describes the feverished speed of Revere's mare flying through Lexington and Concord warning of the British's impending presence.  Another use of poetic element would be the use of rhyme/ meter throughout the poem, but specifically in the line "One if by land, and two if by sea."  The crisp rhythm of these lines have made them an almost indispensable component of American History and this poem.

What are the poetic elements in "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere"?

Longfellow's "Paul Revere's Ride" is laden with many literary elements.

First and foremost, we can see that begins by Longfellow using rhyming couplets in the first stanza. The second stanza he switches his rhyme scheme to ababaabbb. The third stanza reverts back to rhyming couplets, the fourth to abbcabc, etc. It is important to realize that he uses rhyming and that his format switch is purposefully done, as it follows along with the complexity of Paul Revere's physical ride.

Longfellow also uses synecdoche: "For the country folk to be up and to arm," to metaphorically describe how the people will react to the news of the English heading toward the American soldiers. Simile is used to describe the passing of time: "as the moon rose over the bay". To emphasize the mystery, Longfellow also utilizes alliteration: "Wanders and watches with eager ears."

Explain Longfellow's use of poetic elements in "Paul Revere's Ride."

The most obvious poetic elements Longfellow uses are rhyme and rhythm. You almost feel like you're chanting when you read the poem aloud. The rhythm also helps you to feel the urgency of Paul Revere's mission to warn the people.

Another device Longfellow uses frequently in the poem is alliteration. Some examples include:

• A hurry of hoofs in a village street
• Struck out by a steed flying fearless and fleet;
• Now soft on the sand, now loud on the ledge

He also uses symbolism: "The fate of a nation was riding that night"--Revere symbolizes all Americans

simile: "A line of black that bends and floats/ On the rising tide like a bridge of boats"

imagery: too many examples to point out just one

personification: "The watchful night-wind, as it went/ Creeping along from tent to tent,/ And seeming to whisper, "All is well!"

These are just a few of the poetic devices Longfellow uses. Visit the web site linked below for more information on how to read a poem.