You expected Jesus to come down off his cross and clap

Some of the most important writing techniques in the short stories we have recently read include voice (of the narrator), details, the tone of the piece, and the dialogue in the piece.  All of these things work together to create the scene and the story, and keep the reader interested.  I also really enjoy unexpected descriptions, like in Silver Water: "... you expected Jesus to come down off his cross and clap" when Violet is talking about her sister's singing voice being so beautiful.
Dialogue is also important to character development and establishing conflict. Other character's reactions to the dialogue of other characters is important as well.  For example, if everyone in Bloom's Silver Water reacted the same way to Rose's outbursts, the story would not be very interesting. It creates a different dynamic when the characters have different reactions that keeps the reader interested.