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How to Solve Crossword Puzzles

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How to Solve Crossword Puzzles

518,997 views October 25, 2009 1:24

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Crossword puzzles can help build your mind and improve self-control, language skills, and confidence.

Step 1: Start with easy clues across
Solve the easy clues first, starting with number one and moving 'across.'

Step 2: Now move down
Begin with number one in the 'down' category and answer all you can in the first pass.

Step 3: Connect intersecting words
Progressing from the puzzle's top left, fill in words that intersect with already completed answers.

Tip
Words that contain a lot of vowels are used frequently in crossword puzzles.

Step 4: Take breaks
Take a break periodically. If you try too hard, the obvious can seem unintelligible. When you return to the puzzle, note how quickly some answers occur to you.

Step 5: Check for anagrams
Check for anagrams in clues. Anagrams show up through descriptive terms or names that must be rearranged to divine the intended answer.

Step 6: Use the puzzle theme
Use words associated with the title of the puzzle.

Tip
Work with a friend – sometimes two heads are better than one when solving a crossword puzzle.

Step 7: Fill in the rest
Continue filling in answers, moving left to right and top to bottom.

Step 8: Practice and get better
Practice crosswords to get better. The more puzzles you do, the more familiar you'll be with standard puzzle clues and answers.

Did You Know?
People who work on crossword puzzles more than four times a week may be less likely to get Alzheimer’s disease.

About this tutorial

Howcast published this 1:24 video tutorial on October 25, 2009. It has been watched 518,997 times on YouTube.

Channel
Howcast
Duration
1:24
Published
October 25, 2009
Views
518,997
Likes
1,926

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Further reading

  • Tips for Solving Crossword Puzzles - dummies dummies.com

    You don’t have to be a crossword puzzle expert to enjoy solving easy puzzles or even more challenging ones. But when you sit down to work on any crossword grid, you’ll likely enjoy yourself more if you keep these simple…

  • How to Solve The New York Times Crossword nytimes.com

    A crossword theme is like bonus content; it is an extra puzzle-within-the-puzzle for you to solve. Not all crosswords have themes, but for those that do, finding them will help you be a better solver.

  • 10 Tips for Solving Crossword Puzzles - The Spruce Crafts thesprucecrafts.com

    A good crossword puzzle solver doesn't necessarily know all the answers but what she/he does know are the following tips and tricks. These 10 tips will improve your crossword puzzle solving skills. Whether you're a novi…

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