How to Solve Online Crossword Puzzles
Crossword puzzles are a mixture of vocabulary, logic, pop culture and spacial thinking that all combine to create a game often associated with intellect. These puzzles have been solved by regular newspaper readers for years, but have also since crept their way online. Solving an online crossword is a little different than solving one on paper, as it comes with a few high-tech advantages. In addition to in-puzzle tools, there are a host of online and downloadable solving tools.
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Things You'll Need
- Online crossword puzzle (see Resources)
- Crossword puzzle solver (optional, see Resources)
Instructions
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Locate and upload an online crossword puzzle. Choose one that you think will rest within your skill level. You can find a host of online crossword puzzles at the various websites listed under Resources.
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Read the clue under 1 Across. Look at the number of letter spaces that are laid out horizontally leading away from the space marked "1." Think of a word that will fit in that space and complete the clue. If nothing comes to mind, skip to the next clue in the Across column until you find one you think you can solve.
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Type in your proposed answer. On some online crossword puzzles, the letters will appear in black if the letter is correct and in red if the letter is not. You can test this by typing a handful of different letters into the box and seeing if any of them turn red. If the word is black, move to the next clue; if the letters are all red, delete the clue; if some of the letters are incorrect, delete those and try again. If the program does not change the color of the letters, then it's more like a paper crossword puzzle; take guesses, but be prepared to change them as you progress through the puzzle.
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Repeat the scanning and solving process until you run out of clues going across. Move to the Down column, start with 1 Down, and begin solving the words that are stacked vertically.
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Repeat the scanning and solving until you run out of clues again. Go back to the Across clues, and see if any of the letters you've added since your trip through the Down column will help you solve any. Repeat for the Down column until you solve the puzzle or run out of possible answers.
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Locate a crossword solver online. There are a few listed under Resources, but you can use any program that you like for this purpose. It needs to at least provide words based on suggested letters, but one that also analyzes the clues is ideal.
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Tips & Warnings
Some players will pick and choose the clues instead of going through them one by one. If that style works better for you, feel free to use it.
As you solve more crossword puzzles, you will start to notice that certain words often come up. For example, "Epee," which is a kind of sword used in fencing, or "alee," a sailing term meaning "into the wind."
There are a number of hints often built into the clues. Some will tell you how many words are in the answer by printing "2 wds," or something to that effect. If the clue is plural, then odds are very good that the last letter will be an "S." If the clue names a city in another country, most of the time the answer will be in the language of that country. Clues with a blank are looking for you to fill in that blank.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit crossword image by cherie from Fotolia.com
