How to Create a Crossword Puzzle Layout
In the just under 100 years since their inception, crossword puzzles have become one of the most popular and widespread word games in the world. They are created for classrooms, magazines, newspapers and online publications. They are worked for fun, relaxation and education. If you like working crossword puzzles, you may enjoy making them as well. The first step is learning how to create a crossword puzzle layout. Most puzzle designers follow the rules set by the original crossword puzzle publishers, Simon & Shuster.
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Things You'll Need
- Graph paper
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Crossword puzzle dictionary or regular dictionary
- Thesaurus
Instructions
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1
Determine a theme for your puzzle. The longest words in your crossword puzzle should relate to this theme by topic or reference.
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2
Compile a list of words or phrases relating to this theme. Use a crossword dictionary, regular dictionary and thesaurus to help. Separate the words according to the number of letters they contain. Never use two-letter words, and limit the use of three-letter words.
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3
Decide what grid size your crossword puzzle will be. There are five standard sizes: 15 x 15, 17 x 17, 19 x 19, 21 x 21 and 23 x 23, with 15 x 15 considered the most common. The size of your grid will depend on the market (newspapers generally require only 15 x 15 puzzles) if you are creating a crossword puzzle to sell, or the theme, as some themes will have fewer words, or words with fewer letters.
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4
Position theme words on the graph paper grid. Place some words across and some words down making sure every word is part of an Across word and a Down word. Remember to keep a diagonal symmetry with the words. This means that if a black square (empty space usually filled in) is placed between theme words in the upper right corner, a black square must also be used between theme words in the lower left corner.
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5
Check the position of the black squares and fill in additional squares if needed to maintain diagonal symmetry.
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6
Fill in the remaining spaces on the grid with legitimate words or abbreviations of three or more letters and phrases that you can create clues or definitions for.
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7
Number the words in the grid. Begin on the top row and place the number 1 in the first square that starts a word The first word is usually an Across word. Place the number 2 in the next square that starts a word; this will most likely be a Down word since each word must be part of an Across and a Down. The number 3 could be placed in either an Across or a Down. Continue numbering in this manner across the first row, then move to the beginning of the second row and continue down the rows.
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8
Separate the words into Across and Down, list the numbers associated with the words under the corresponding positions and write a clue or definition for each number on a separate sheet of paper.
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