7 Step to Solving Cryptic Crossword Puzzles - They're Easier Than You Thought!
Anonymous
What are cryptic crossword puzzles?
Most standard crosswords are made up of 'question' clues or synonyms. A standard crossword clue for the phrase 'Put in writing' might be 'Confirm on paper'.
A cryptic crossword is made up of clues that are puzzles in themselves - but they are puzzles that follow very strict rules. These are that every clue must have a precise definition as well as a cryptic indication. This means that a cryptic clue has two ways of finding the answer! So if the answer is a word you have never heard of, you can still find the answer.
So a cryptic clue for the phrase 'Put in writing' might be 'Confirm Russian leader is making his mark'. The precise definition is 'confirm', and the cryptic clue is 'Putin' (Russian leader) 'writing' (making his mark). The cryptic clue can be elegant and interesting in a way that is more difficult in a standard clue. It forces you to think about things in a different way, to break phrases up and analyse them. One minute you can look at a crossword and have no clue what the answers are; the next you can fill it all in within 10 minutes.
So how do you start solving cryptic crosswords?
The best way to start anything is to want to do it. Maybe you just want to see how it works, or to keep flexing your brain cells. Once you start, you will realise that it is the artistry of the clue that draws you in: a well-written clue which is also a good guide to the answer will make you smile - and feel proud when you've solved it.
The best way to start solving cryptic crosswords is to pick up one and try it out. Then when you are stumped, look at the answers and check you have understood how all the clues work. Once you start learning about the vocabulary of the crossword you become more practiced.
Remember: every cryptic clue has a straight definition at the beginning or end.
Some of the devices used to form cryptic crossword clues
There are 7 key devices used to make the cryptic part of the clue:
- Putting small words together (e.g. using 'T' for time, act for behave means that Time to behave with diplomacy = TACT)
- Anagram (e.g. rearranging letters to make a word, indicated by words like 'messy', 'confused', 'untidy': Cut untidy pins = SNIP)
- Runalong (e.g. the answer is actually written inside the clue: In India, Lucy found control = DIAL)
- Putting letters together (e.g. head of party is 'P', left is 'L', circle is 'O', time is 'T', so Party leader left circle on time - according to plan = PLOT)
- Sounds like (words that sound alike, e.g. 'WARD' sounds like 'WARRED' so Heard to have fought in the hospital? = WARD)
- Initials (the words 'starters' and 'initially' show the initial letters of words e.g. Initially Peter organised group on stick = POGO)
- Container (where one word is placed inside another e.g. Land where father is in the wrong = SPAIN)
These 7 devices are used together to make most of cryptic crossword clues - the challenge is then identifying them and solving the clues.
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