1. Satire: Twain used satire, a form of humor that criticizes society or individuals through mockery, to expose the flaws and shortcomings of society. His novel "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" satirizes the hypocrisy of Southern society and the institution of slavery.
2. Irony: Twain frequently used irony, a contrast between expectation and reality, to create humor. In "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County," the narrator's earnest storytelling contrasts ironically with the ridiculous nature of the frog-jumping contest.
3. Exaggeration: Twain often employed exaggeration, or hyperbole, to create humorous effects. In "Life on the Mississippi," he humorously exaggerates the length of the river to be "seven hundred miles long, and in some places over a mile wide."
4. Parody: Twain occasionally used parody, imitating and mocking other literary styles or works, for humorous purposes. His short story "The Stolen White Elephant" parodies the sentimental style of popular literature of his time.
5. Wordplay: Twain's writing is known for its clever use of wordplay, such as puns, malapropisms, and wordplay, to create humor. For instance, in "Roughing It," he humorously describes the appearance of a character as "quite a spectacle, with his long hair, his old blue army overcoat, and his bell-crowned hat with a rumpled feather in it."
6. Anecdotes and Storytelling: Twain had a gift for storytelling and often included humorous anecdotes and personal experiences in his writings. His travelogues and autobiographical works, such as "The Innocents Abroad" and "Roughing It," are filled with humorous anecdotes from his travels.
By skillfully combining these techniques, Twain managed to make his writing not just entertaining but also critically insightful, leaving a lasting impact on American literature and humor.