How to make a crossword for the New York Times

xwnexus
23 Apr 201309:44
EducationalLearning
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TLDRIn this informative video, Alex explains the process of constructing a crossword puzzle for popular newspapers, debunking the myth that Will Shortz writes all the puzzles for the New York Times. He outlines the basic rules, such as the 15x15 grid, symmetry, and word length restrictions, and emphasizes the importance of a theme. Alex demonstrates how to create symmetric theme entries and shares tips on using software like Crossfire for puzzle construction. He also advises on crafting original clues and suggests resources for aspiring crossword constructors.

Takeaways
  • 📝 Crossword puzzles for major newspapers are typically constructed by individuals and then edited by the newspaper's puzzle editor, like Will Shortz for the New York Times.
  • 🔢 Puzzles should be 15 blocks wide by 15 blocks high, with a general rule of thumb being no more than 38 black squares and no more than 78 words.
  • 🚫 No 1-letter or 2-letter words are allowed; all words must be 3 letters or longer.
  • 🎨 Early week crosswords (Monday to Thursday) have a theme, with theme-based entries totaling at least 33 squares and at least three entries.
  • 🌟 The theme should be reflected in the longest across entries of the puzzle, and these theme entries must be symmetric to fit the symmetrical grid.
  • 💡 Examples of potential theme entries include splitting words like 'angel' and 'demon' into phrases such as 'Brangelina', 'Maya Angelou', 'pandemonium', and 'code monkey'.
  • 📚 Resources for crossword construction include Crossfire software, Matt Ginsburg's clue database, and books like 'Crossword Puzzle Challenges for Dummies' by Patrick Berry.
  • 🔍 OneLook.com is a useful tool for finding phrases with hidden words, which can be helpful for theme-based crosswords.
  • 🖋️ Writing clues is a crucial part of puzzle construction; it's recommended to create original clues rather than using databases.
  • 🎨 The process of constructing a crossword involves placing black squares, filling in words, and ensuring a balanced and interesting puzzle structure.
  • ✍️ Once the crossword is completed, it can be submitted to newspapers for potential publication, though the copyright of the puzzle will transfer to the newspaper upon sale.
Q & A

  • Who is generally mistaken for writing all the crossword puzzles for the New York Times?

    -Will Shortz is often mistakenly thought to write all the crossword puzzles for the New York Times.

  • What is the standard size for a crossword puzzle in the New York Times and similar newspapers?

    -The standard size for a crossword puzzle is 15 blocks wide by 15 blocks high.

  • What is the general rule regarding the number of black squares in a crossword puzzle?

    -The general rule is to keep the number of black squares under 38, using 38 as a good rule of thumb.

  • What is the maximum number of words allowed in a crossword puzzle?

    -A crossword puzzle cannot have more than 78 words.

  • What is the minimum requirement for theme entries in a crossword puzzle?

    -The minimum requirement for theme entries is at least three entries totaling at least 33 squares.

  • Why do theme entries in a crossword puzzle have to be symmetric?

    -Theme entries have to be symmetric because the crossword grid itself is symmetric, and the theme entries must fit symmetrically within the grid.

  • What software does the speaker recommend for constructing crossword puzzles?

    -The speaker recommends using Crossfire for constructing crossword puzzles.

  • What are some resources mentioned for crossword puzzle construction?

    -The resources mentioned include Crossfire, Matt Ginsburg's clue database, OneLook, and the book 'Crossword Puzzle Challenges for Dummies' by Patrick Berry.

  • What should you avoid when constructing crossword puzzles?

    -You should avoid having 1-letter words and 2-letter words in the puzzle, and also try to avoid bad letter patterns.

  • What is the importance of the defining entry in a crossword puzzle?

    -The defining entry is important because it usually crosses other entries and can add interest and challenge to the puzzle, potentially making it more appealing to an editor.

  • What advice does the speaker give about writing clues for a crossword puzzle?

    -The speaker advises to write your own clues, as they can be fun and add personality to the puzzle, even though it might be challenging and some of them might be rejected initially.

Outlines
00:00
📝 Introduction to Crossword Puzzle Construction

This paragraph introduces the speaker, Alex, and sets the stage for a discussion on constructing crossword puzzles for major newspapers. It clarifies a common misconception about Will Shortz, the crossword editor for the New York Times, and explains that he does not create all the puzzles himself. Instead, he receives submissions from individuals like the audience, edits them, and publishes them with the creator's byline. The paragraph then delves into the basic rules of crossword construction, including the standard grid size of 15x15, the importance of symmetry, and the limitations on the number of black squares and words. It also touches on the prohibition of one and two-letter words, emphasizing the need for themes in early-week puzzles and the requirement for these themes to be symmetric and occupy a significant portion of the grid.

05:01
🔍 Crafting the Theme and Selecting Software

In this paragraph, Alex discusses the importance of having a theme for the crossword puzzle, especially for early-week puzzles from Monday to Thursday. The theme should be substantial, with at least three entries totaling 33 squares. The speaker provides an example of a potential theme and explains how to integrate it symmetrically into the crossword grid. Alex then introduces the software 'Crossfire' as a recommended tool for constructing puzzles, highlighting its features and cost-effectiveness. The paragraph continues with the process of placing black squares, ensuring symmetry, and avoiding bad letter patterns. It concludes with the speaker's advice on filling in the crossword, writing original clues, and the final steps of editing and titling the puzzle before submission.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Crossword Puzzle
A crossword puzzle is a type of word game that requires players to fill a grid with words or phrases, each clued down and across. In the context of the video, it refers to the creation process of such puzzles, particularly for newspapers like the New York Times or the LA Times.
💡Will Shortz
Will Shortz is a well-known crossword editor and puzzle constructor, often associated with the New York Times. In the video, it is clarified that he does not write all the crosswords himself but instead edits and selects puzzles submitted by others.
💡Grid Symmetry
Grid symmetry refers to the design principle in crossword puzzles where the pattern of black and white squares is mirrored across a central axis. This means that if the grid were flipped 180 degrees, the arrangement of squares would remain consistent.
💡Black Squares
Black squares are the shaded boxes in a crossword grid that separate the white squares where words are filled. The video explains that there are restrictions on the number of black squares, suggesting a limit of around 38 to 40 for a 15x15 grid.
💡Theme
In crossword puzzles, a theme refers to a central concept or idea that ties together several entries in the grid. The theme entries are usually the longest across entries and must be symmetric to fit the symmetrical grid structure.
💡Crossword Software
Crossword software, such as Crossfire mentioned in the video, is a tool used by constructors to design and fill in the crossword grid digitally. It assists in maintaining the puzzle's structure, including symmetry and word placement.
💡Clues
Clues are the hints provided in a crossword puzzle that help guide the solver to the correct answer. Writing clues is an essential part of puzzle construction, and the video encourages creators to write their own clues rather than relying on databases.
💡Copyright
Copyright refers to the legal right that creators have over their works. In the context of the video, when a crossword puzzle is sold to a newspaper, the copyright of the puzzle is transferred to the publisher.
💡Crossword Resources
Crossword resources are tools, databases, and communities that provide support and information for crossword puzzle construction. The video mentions several resources, including Crossfire software, Matt Ginsburg's clue database, and the Crucifer community.
💡Puzzle Submission
Puzzle submission refers to the process of sending a completed crossword puzzle to a newspaper or publisher for consideration for publication. The video outlines the steps involved in preparing and sending a puzzle for review.
💡Word Length
Word length is the number of letters in a word. In the context of crossword puzzles, there are typically rules regarding the minimum length of words that can be included. The video mentions that no 1 or 2-letter words are allowed, with a minimum of 3 letters.
Highlights

Constructing crossword puzzles for major newspapers like the New York Times or LA Times is possible for individuals, not just professional puzzle creators like Will Shortz.

Crosswords typically need to be 15 blocks wide by 15 blocks high, with some exceptions.

Black squares in crosswords must be symmetric, and there should be no more than 38 to keep the puzzle balanced.

Puzzles should contain no 1-letter or 2-letter words; all words must be 3 letters or longer.

Themes are crucial for early-week crosswords (Monday through Thursday), and they should have at least three entries totaling at least 33 squares.

Theme entries must be symmetric in length to fit the symmetrical grid of the crossword.

Crossword construction begins with brainstorming a theme, which is often the longest across entries in the puzzle.

The software Crossfire is recommended for crossword construction, offering features like automatic symmetry preservation and word suggestion.

When placing black squares, it's important to avoid bad letter patterns and break up long words to maintain puzzle balance.

Writing original clues is encouraged over using databases like Matt Ginsburg's clue database, to add personal touch and creativity.

The process of filling in the crossword involves guiding the computer to find the best words and patterns, which may require adjustments and refinements.

Titles are not necessary for New York Times crosswords, but including your name and copyright information is part of the submission process.

Resources like Crossfire, Matt Ginsburg's clue database, and OneLook's reverse dictionary are valuable for crossword puzzle construction.

Books like 'Crossword Puzzle Challenges for Dummies' by Patrick Berry provide comprehensive guidance for aspiring crossword constructors.

The video concludes with a call to action for viewers to leave questions in the comments and a reminder of the value in creating and sharing crossword puzzles.

Transcripts

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