From finding words that you love, to filling the grid and writing clues, learn how to create cryptic crosswords at this unique Masterclass with John Halpern (aka Paul), the Guardian’s most published setter. Over three consecutive Saturday mornings, you’ll learn the skills of crossword setting, and put what you’ve learned into practice during fun practical activities.
During the course, you’ll create your own cryptic crossword, and also create a puzzle as a group which will be published on the Guardian website – perfect for boasting to your friends and/or torturing them with your cryptic clues. With opportunities for feedback and plenty of laughs along the way, it’s the ideal course for crossword fans and creative wordplay lovers who fancy a challenge.
Session 1 – Saturday 3 September
- Background and history on cryptic crosswords in different newspapers
- The process of creating a cryptic crossword puzzle from scratch
- The rules – and when you can break them
- Writing the clues, types 1-6 – anagrams, hiddens, double definitions, reversals, containers and sound-alikes
Session 2 - Saturday 10 September
- Writing the clues, types 7-12 – deletions, cryptic definitions, charades, abbreviations, &Lit, miscellaneous
- Practical activities with opportunities for feedback – create your own clues and work on a group project
Session 3 - Saturday 17 September
- The editing process – polishing your puzzle and editing like an expert
- Practical exercises and group work – finish creating a cryptic crossword as a team, which will be published on the Guardian website
- Handouts to help you develop your crossword setting skills during and after the course
Tutor profile
John Halpern (aka Paul) is the Guardian and the UK’s most published cryptic crossword setter. His crosswords also appear in the Financial Times, The Independent and The Times, among other publications. John lives in Brighton and is married to a woman whose name is an anagram of ‘entail’; they have a son whose name is hidden in the word ‘taramasalata’. He’s the author of The Centenary of the Crossword and tweets @crypticpaul.
Details
Dates: Saturday mornings, 3-17 September 2016
Times: 10am-12pm
Location: The Guardian, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU
Price: £129 (includes VAT, booking fee and drinks)
Event capacity: 36
You may also be interested in…
- From clueless to clued up: How to solve the Guardian cryptic crossword
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Information on Guardian Masterclasses
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Returns policy
Tickets may be refunded if you contact us at least 14 days before the course start date. Please see our terms and conditions for more information on our refund policy.
