How to Solve Crossword Puzzles

Expand the description and view the text of the steps for this how-to video.

Check out Howcast for other do-it-yourself videos from rsansivero and more videos in the General Games category.

You can contribute too! Create your own DIY guide at http://www.howcast.com/videos/new or produce your own Howcast spots with the Howcast Filmmakers Program at http://www.howcast.com/filmmakers/apply.

Crossword puzzles can help build your mind and improve self-control, language skills, and confidence.

To complete this How-To you will need:

A crossword puzzle
A pencil

Step 1: Start with easy clues across

Solve the easy clues first, starting with number one and moving "across."

Step 2: Now move down

Begin with number one in the "down" category and answer all you can in the first pass.

Step 3: Connect intersecting words

Progressing from the puzzle's top left, fill in words that intersect with already completed answers.

Tip: Words that contain a lot of vowels are used frequently in crossword puzzles.

Step 4: Take breaks

Take a break periodically. If you try too hard, the obvious can seem unintelligible. When you return to the puzzle, note how quickly some answers occur to you.

Step 5: Check for anagrams

Check for anagrams in clues. Anagrams show up through descriptive terms or names that must be rearranged to divine the intended answer.

Step 6: Use the puzzle theme

Use words associated with the title of the puzzle.

Tip: Work with a friend -- sometimes two heads are better than one when solving a crossword puzzle.

Step 7: Fill in the rest

Continue filling in answers, moving left to right and top to bottom.

Step 8: Practice and get better

Practice crosswords to get better. The more puzzles you do, the more familiar you'll be with standard puzzle clues and answers.

Thanks for watching How To Solve Crossword Puzzles! If you enjoyed this video subscribe to the Howcast YouTube channel! http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=howcast

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Recreation
• games
• learning
• Solving
• crossword
• puzzles
• Tips
• strategies
• completing

[olderpersonage]

wow there must be some dumb people in the world to need tutorials like this =/

[cjd623]

or you can look in the back of the booklet

[stfuih8ulol]

@TankEngineMadman thank you:)

[TankEngineMadman]

@stfuih8ulol wow I'm really sorry. I don't even remember posting that (I do remember the video, so it wasn't some hacker or anything), but it was horribly insensitive. I'm sorry, I'm removing the comment so that people won't be offended in the future :(

[stfuih8ulol]

@TankEngineMadman FUCK YOU..u wouldnt want that

[MultiSteini]

hahaha

[olderpersonage]

@dxbxp i didn't search...it came up on my subscriptions...sorry for "offending" you =P

[dxbxp]

@olderpersonage i bet you're even dumber to search for this even tho you know it.

[damthatriver09]

This game is too easy.

[logant44]

this is great.

I never knew about the pencil or writing inside the blank squares

[molodoymolod]

tutorial for idiots ?