What are some of the writing techniques used in "Old Ironsides"?

For "Old Ironside" if you have to choose just one writing
technique, I would focus on either imagery or verbal irony because Holmes relies heavily
on both devices. For imagery, consider all the examples of images and sounds present in
the poem, from the "tattered" flag to the red deck to Holmes' comparison of the ship's
cannon to a meteor. The poet's decision to use imagery helped ignite readers' emotions
toward rallying for the ship's preservation.

If you choose
to focus on verbal irony, discuss Holmes's tone (one of bitter irony) demonstrated by
lines such as "Ay, tear her tatter ensign down!" (Line 1) or "Oh, better that her
shatter hulk / Should sink beneath the wave" (Line 17). The verbal irony causes readers
to consider what kind of nation would "thorw away" something as valuable as the USS
Constitution.