FIRST OF ALL

Always look at the puzzle title before doing anything else. The title is there to give you a hint about the theme of the puzzle—the subject matter or the common element among the longest answers. When you have filled in the first long answer, take another look at the title; you should be able to make a guess now as to what the theme is. Once you have correctly identified the theme, the remaining theme answers should be much easier for you to puzzle out.

WHERE TO START INSIDE THE PUZZLE

The first answer you should write in a crossword should always be one whose clue you are absolutely sure of. This may be the very first clue in the puzzle (1 Across), but crossword authors and editors don’t automatically make the first clue the easiest one. Of course, people’s vocabulary and knowledge differ anyway. But remember that any of Stan’s Easy Crosswords will have quite a few clues that you’ll know the answers to right away. So review the clue list carefully until you find one that you have no doubt is correct, and fill that one in first.

WHAT TO DO NEXT

The clues to look at next are the ones that cross any of the answers that you’ve already filled in. It’s much easier to think of the answer once you have one or more extra hints from the letters in those crossing words.

KEEPING YOUR TRIP SMOOTH

Your solving will be smoother and easier if you are able to concentrate on one area of the puzzle at a time, with each new answer you write connected to answers you’ve already filled in. If you’re unable to fill in any answers in the area you’re working in, look for another clue you’re sure of elsewhere in the crossword and begin the process again.

FINISHING THE PUZZLE

If you’ve written in all the answers that you can and some blank squares still remain, here are three proven ways to get you to the finish line:

Take a short break, and return to the puzzle in a few minutes. Many people find that this break gives them a “fresh look” at it, and they’re able to come up with answers that didn’t occur to them before.

It’s possible that you have one or more incorrect answers filled in. So try erasing or deleting one or more answers that you may be “less than sure” of, and take another look at the area with the answers you’ve just removed.

It’s completely OK to “get help” in any way you like. By using the Check button to verify a particular letter or word, or even the entire puzzle. Or, for a little more help, use the Reveal button to fill in for you a letter, word, or the entire puzzle. It’s also OK to use an Internet search or an online or paper dictionary. Whichever of these ways you choose, part of the educational benefits of crossword solving come from completing each puzzle you do anyway that you can.

So good luck with Stan’s Easy Crosswords, and have fun!

Sheffer Crossword

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