Deconstructing Cryptic Crossword Clues
Then once you have worked out which bit is which, the cryptic part will invariably need to be analysed itself: for instance split into the anagram indicator and the anagram fodder, for an anagram clue, and so forth.
Being able to parse a cryptic clue successfully is difficult, and requires practice, and lots of it!
In order to get better at deconstructing clues, the main advice is to simply practice, practice, practice. We also suggest that you read the articles in this cryptic crossword section to do with the various types of clue. Once you know the different types of clue to look out for, it is easier to spot them.
If you don't know what an & Lit is, for instance, or are confused by cryptic definitions or homophone clues, then read our pages on those.
Another huge help is to do the following:
Take a puzzle, and the following day get the solution. Then work backwards and see if you can deconstruct each clue in order to work out how the clue was put together. This forensic analysis is often of great help, particularly for beginners. Indeed perhaps the first few puzzles a person 'solves' should be back to front, working from solution to understanding of the clue, rather than vice versa.
There will invariably be some clues you don't get; this can and does happen even for experienced solvers. There are some websites out there that give an analysis of each and every clue for major British newspaper cryptic crosswords: reading these regularly can really help you develop your cryptic crossword solving prowess.
Ultimately it all comes down to experience, knowing the different types of clues, a good general knowledge, an understanding of anagram indicators and the common abbreviations used and a smattering of crosswordese. Armed with all of the above and a few years practice, you'll be a good cryptic solver who is expert at deconstructing clues in a timely manner.
Are you currently learning to solve cryptics? If so, do share what you find easy / difficult about getting to grips with this puzzle type.
Date written: 22 Apr 2015
Comment on this post
You must be logged in to comment - please Register or Login
Why No Wordsearch At Wordy Puzzle
We have a huge range of word puzzles here at Wordy Puzzle, representing all the major puzzle types. All of them, that is, apart from the wordsearch puzzle. Just in case you've not come across it before, a wordsearch is a simple word puzzle that features...
Added: 21 Jun 2015
Cryptic Crosswords: Hidden Word Clues
One type of cryptic crossword clue is called the 'hidden word' clue. As the name suggests, the answer here is actually hidden in the clue.
This sounds like it would be far too easy, but actually these answers can be very hard to spot - even when you...
Added: 17 Apr 2015
Tips On Filling In A Crossword Grid
Writing a crossword is one of those many tasks in life that may seem very easy - until you come to do it! And many don't even think about the grid-filling part, simply the clue writing. Here we look at filling the grid, which must be done before you come...
Added: 03 Apr 2015
General Knowledge Solving Tips
Solving general knowledge puzzles, surprisingly enough, requires a considerable amount of general knowledge. So far, so obvious. But how do you go about getting the knowledge that you require to solve a general knowledge crossword?
Well there are...
Added: 20 Mar 2015
Cryptic Clues That Refer To Other Clues
Clues that refer to other clues in the grid are quite common when solving cryptic crosswords, and also occasionally appear in quick crosswords, although less often.
In the latter case the referencing is usually quite straightforward, such as simply an...
Added: 20 Apr 2015
Back to Puzzle Blog
Puzzle Types:
