1. Twist Endings: O. Henry is renowned for his surprise endings or "twists" in his short stories. These unexpected turns of events often leave the readers in a state of surprise or awe and add an element of suspense to his narratives.
2. Conciseness and Economy of Words: O. Henry's writing style was marked by conciseness and efficiency in word usage. He focused on crafting precise sentences without unnecessary elaboration, aiming to convey the essence of the story in a compact manner.
3. Realism: Despite the presence of unexpected twists, O. Henry's stories were often grounded in realism. He observed and drew inspiration from everyday life, incorporating real-life situations, settings, and characters into his narratives.
4. Irony and Humor: O. Henry frequently used irony and humor in his stories, particularly situational irony. By placing his characters in unexpected or contradictory situations, he often created amusing or humorous moments that added depth to the storytelling.
5. Character Development: O. Henry had a knack for creating memorable and well-rounded characters, even within the short story format. He brought out the complex nuances of human nature, exploring themes such as kindness, love, betrayal, and redemption.
6. Plot Driven: O. Henry's stories were often plot-driven, with the plot serving as a vehicle to deliver the twist ending. He carefully constructed his plots, leading the readers through a series of events that culminate in the climactic surprise.
7. Narrative Voice: O. Henry often used a friendly and conversational narrative voice, drawing the readers into the stories and making them feel personally involved in the characters' predicaments.
Overall, O. Henry's writing style was characterized by a blend of realism, wit, irony, surprise endings, and well-developed characters, making him one of the most beloved short story writers in American literature.