I am writing a paper on "On the Amtrak from boston to new york city" by sherman alexie. I need to detail how the poet used literary conventions and poetic devices such as meter, imagery, and symbolism to communicate the meaning of the poem. I have the imagery and symbolism parts but don't know about meter. I am not 100% confident on this part but way blown away on how it applies to the poem.

Question

I am writing a paper on "On the Amtrak from boston to new york city" by sherman alexie.  I need to detail how the poet used literary conventions and poetic devices such as meter, imagery, and symbolism to communicate the meaning of the poem.  I have the imagery and symbolism parts but don't know about meter.  I am not 100% confident on this part but way blown away on how it applies to the poem.

Writeacher · Answer

This is a good for learning about meter and rhythm:
http://www.uncg.edu/~htkirbys/meters.htm

And these are good sites for making sure you have read/reread the poem you're working on and then know how to write about it:
http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/ReadingPoetry.html#top

http://writingcenter.unc.edu/resources/handouts-demos/specific-writing-assignments/poetry-explications

http://www.uncp.edu/home/canada/work/markport/best/study/poetry.htm

If you want further help, be sure to let us know what you DO HAVE (and not in generalities) so no one wastes time. I cannot guess what you already have.