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Types of Crossword Puzzle Grids
Crossword Puzzle Design Mistakes
British vs. North American Style Crossword Puzzle Grids
How to Make a Crossword Puzzle Grid
Putting Words Into a Crossword Puzzle Grid
Choosing Words to Make a Crossword Puzzle
Finding Words for Crossword Puzzles
Criteria for Choosing Words for a Crossword Puzzle
Tips for Choosing Crossword Puzzle Words
Making a Themed Crossword Puzzle
Numbering a Crossword Puzzle Grid
Writing Definition Clues for a Crossword Puzzle
Types of Definition Clues for Crossword Puzzles
Providing a Crossword Puzzle Solution
When riding on public transport or sitting idly in a cafe, a crossword puzzle is an excellent way to pass … More
Crossword puzzles provide hours of wordplay enjoyment, and they also increase your vocabulary. With some p… More
The first crossword puzzle was published in the "New York World" newspaper on December 21, 1913. Today, th… More
The clues used to define a word often depend on the intended audience. Learn the types of crossword puzzle… More
A good grid is the difference between a real crossword puzzle and an amateur effort. Learn how to make a c… More
A crossword answer shouldn't rely entirely on the clue. Learn how to make a crossword puzzle in the crypti… More
Playing crossword puzzles is a popular pastime, and there are many great free crossword puzzle websites on… More
Accomplishment isn't always measured in money and big corner offices. Something as simple as solving a dif… More
Some people hate crossword puzzles just because they can never finish them. Don't be that person. It may t… More
If you thought completing a crossword puzzle was a challenge, you have never made one of your own. Wow you… More
Books and word lists are useful for finding words for making crossword puzzles. Learn how to find words to… More
A word in a crossword needs to be easy to define and playable. Learn the criteria for choosing words for a… More
Making crossword puzzles can be a challenge unless you learn how to make crossword puzzles online, and pri… More
Use a dictionary as a reference when writing definition clues. Learn how to write clues for a crossword pu… More
Summary: Use a dictionary as a reference when writing definition clues. Learn how to write clues for a crossword puzzle in this free video on creating word games.
Chris F.A. Johnson began composing cryptic crossword puzzles in 1979, for the University of Toronto alumni magazine, The Graduate. He has been composing them for various magazines and...read more
"Once all the words have been filled into a grid, it becomes time to start writing the clues. For a regular crossword a definition type crossword, this is very straight forward. I'll take a word, I'll think of a definition for it. Sometimes, I will go to a dictionary and look up the word even when I know what the word means. Because, there may be a shade of meaning or I might as very often happens a word is used in different senses. And, I might choose a less known version of a word. A less known meaning for the word, rather than the common one. And, that depends on how hard I want the puzzle to be. For an easy puzzle, I would use the most common definition for a word. Sometimes it happens, that what I thought was the definition for a word isn't quite right. So, looking it up in the dictionary is a good way to keep myself on the straight and narrow. So, for example I use the word cartel in a puzzle. I would go and look up cartel in here somewhere. Is it a syndicate? Is it a group of companies? And, what does the dictionary say about it? Its usual meaning is a group of companies working together for a common purpose. An alliance often with a negative connotation. If I were going to make it a hard crossword, I would just say an alliance. For an easier one, I might use the word a collusive alliance. Giving it a slightly more negative connotation. Rather more often than I like to admit, I think I know what a word means. And, it turns out not be quite right. So, in order to give the readers a fair chance at solving the puzzle I look up almost every word for which I write a clue in a dictionary. Whether it might be an online dictionary on the computer or an actual physical dead tree version of a dictionary."
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