Introduction
- source: The Art of Crossword Construction: Themes in Crosswords Will Johnston
- subsections below by [theme type]; 4 examples each, by different constructors
- First words link entries
- Last words link entries
- Hidden words
- Add something
- Subtract something
- Homophones and puns
Johnston: [first words link entries]
- "Non-Stop" by M. Ashwood-Smith
- PERPETUAL MOTION=15; ENDLESS SUMMER=13; ETERNAL TRIANGLE=15
- "By Gum!" by Patrick Jordan
- CHEWING OUT=10; ART FLEMING=10; SPIRIT AWAY=10; BUBBLE WRAP=10
- "Loose Ends" by Harvey Estes
- CHANGE KEYS=10; LEAF THROUGH=11; CANNON FIRE=10; FITTING ROOM=11
- "Hare [BUNNY] Force" by William Johnston; Fri, 4/9/2004; .puz
- DUST BUSTER=10; SNOW TRAIN=9; PLAYBOY MAGAZINE=15;
EASTER EGG=9; FUNNY PAGES=10
Johnston: [last words link entries]
- "Moan & Groan" by Paula Gamache
- BOBTAIL NAG=10; FIDDLER CRAB=11; CHIPPED BEEF=11; SAGE GROUSE=10
- "In the News" by Rich Norris
- FIRST STORY=10; SPINAL COLUMN=12; JOINT ACCOUNT=12; LOUD REPORT=10
- "-Fold 'Em" by Bob Klahn
- TELEPHONE BILL=13; COMMUNITY CENTER=15; VENETIAN BLIND=13
- "Boring Results" by Paula Gamache [hole]
- MASTER KEY=9; KITCHEN SINK=11; STOOL PIGEON=11; HOT BUTTON=9
Johnston: [hidden]
- "It's About Time" by Harvey Estes [ERA]
- CLOSE RANKS=10; HORSE RACE=9; DUDE RANCH=9; SPICE RACK=9; LONE RANGER=10
- "Inland Resort" by Rich Norris [SPA]
- TEXAS PANHANDLE=14; CHRISTMAS PARTY=14; BENEFITS PACKAGE=15;
BORIS PASTERNAK=14; SEMIGLOSS PAINT=14 - "Beware the Ides..." by Ray Hamel [IDES]
- SUICIDE SQUEEZE=14; GOBI DESERT=10; WIDE SCREEN=10; INSIDE STRAIGHT=14
- "Pest in Show" by William Johnston [GNAT, MITE, TICK, FLEA]; Mon, 3/19/2007; .puz
- GOING NATIVE=11; COMMIT ERRORS=12; PLASTIC KNIFE=12; STIFLE A YAWN=11
Johnston: [addition]
- "'S Wonderful" by William Johnston [+S]; Thu, 1/18/2007; .puz
- STALL ORDERS=11; STRAIN TRACKS=12; STAKEOUT FOOD=12; STOP BILLING=11
- "The Midas Touch" by Paula Gamache [+U -> AU]
- A CIVIL AUCTION=13; WRITING PAUPER=13; MAGNETIC TAUPE=13; CARPENTER AUNT=13
- "Copper Heads" by Bob Klahn [+CU]
- CURATE OF SPEED=13; CUBED BUG=8; CUTIE BAR=8; CURED SQUIRREL=13
- "Monday Kickoff" by R. J. Hartman [+MON]
- MON K RATION=10; MONGOOSE NECK=12; MONARCH ENEMY=12; MONKEY CLUB=10
Johnston: [subtraction]
- "O, O, Annette" by Mel Rosen [-N]/li>
- []ARROW GAUGE=10; []UMBER CRUNCHER=13;
[]EUROBIOLOGIST=13; []ETHERLANDS=10 - "Pain Relief" by Patrick Jordan [-OW]
- YELL[]JACKET=10; PILL[] FIGHT=9; WIND[] BLIND=9; SHAD[] BOXING=10
- "Drop In Anytime" by Sarah Keller [-IN]
- M[]UTE WALTZ=9; HOUSE PA[]TER=10; STANFORD B[]ET TEST=15;
DIV[]E COMEDY=10; CAN[]E CORPS=9 - "Bug-Free" by Mel Rosen [-ANT]
- GI[] TORTOISE=10; PLEAS[]VILLE=10; MOST W[]ED LIST=11;
FIRST SERGE[]=10; CH[]ILLY LACE=10
Johnston: [homophones and puns]
- "W-here We Go" by Thomas Schier [W -> WR]
- WRINGS TRUE=10; WREST IN PEACE=12; WRIGHT YOU ARE=12; WRAP ARTIST=10
- "Ott Couples" by R. J. Hartman [DD -> TT]
- CATTY SHACK=10; BETTING PLANT=12; HASTY PUTTING=12; ROSE MATTER=10
- "Poet's Society" by Mel Rosen
- BILLY IDYLL=10; PSALM PECKINPAH=14; RONDEAU FLEMING=14; MACK SONNET=10
- "Send in the Clones" by R. J. Hartman
- RAZER RAZOR=10; ROOMER RUMOR=11; TOOTER TUTOR=11; MINER MINOR=10