OLLI Course: Constructing Crosswords

Course Desc. | Instructor | Course Topics | Site Resources

slide1Course Description

  • upcoming: Spring 2025 (Zoom: Osher Online): Wed, 4/2 - 5/7/25;
    video description (later); find an OLLI near you to register
  • previous: Zoom: Spring 2024; Fall 2022; Spring 2020; Summer 2020 (Jackson Co. Library)
  • Course URL: https://communicrossings.com/constructing-crosswords
    or: https://communicrossings.com/olli-course-constructing-crosswords
    this site will continue to be available and updated
  • Course Handouts: presentation (.pdf) will be emailed to students after each session,
    containing links to these pages and other resources.
  • Zoom: Use, Setup, Safety
  • Have you wondered how crossword puzzles are created?
  • This course will cover puzzle creation, and may help you become a better solver,
    even if you don't plan to become a crossword constructor* yourself.
  • *"Constructors" create US-style crosswords;
    "Setters" (or "Compilers") create British-style cryptics;
    "Cruciverbalists" can refer to both solvers and constructors.
  • The process includes the following steps:
  • Prepare: Know about conventions, tools, formats
  • Theme: Brainstorm and place theme entries
  • Grid: Arrange grid blocks (black squares)
  • Fill: Fill-in other words
  • Clue: craft imaginative, challenging clues
  • Publish: revise, submit for publication.
  • After a brief tour of free-form style puzzles,
    the course will focus on US newspaper-style, symmetric, themed 15 x 15 puzzles,
    e.g., New York Times (NYT) -- plus an OLLI-themed puzzle [on right].
  • Steve will share experiences of publishing his first NYT crossword
    and his first months as Ashland.News crossword editor.
  • Depending on class interest, we'll construct a new puzzle together.
  • CROSSWORDS and YOU provided an overview of authoring during one session
    -- comparison of topics for all crossword courses
  • Below: more about Instructor and Topics.

steveAbout the Instructor

processCourse Topics

  • Why Construct?
  • Approach: audience; puzzle types; free-form; grid layout & size; conventions; file formats; tools
  • Overview of Process: Theme, Grid, Fill, Clues, Publish
  • Theme: brainstorm & select 'lively' main entries (long words or phrases)
  • Grid: place theme entries; add and arrange blocks; preserve symmetry
  • Fill: choose words from dictionaries; adjust theme placement and/or grid
  • Clues: craft imaginative, challenging clues
  • Publish: review, revise, format and submit

Site Resources