For the first time ever, watch the Guardian cryptic crossword being created in front of your very eyes from start to finish. Whether you are an experienced solver or a complete beginner, leading crossword setter John Halpern AKA Paul will show you how cryptic clues work and how they are written.
Understanding the mind of a crossword setter will help you become a better solver, as well as encourage you to try your hand at setting your own clues.
There will be plenty of time to ask Paul any questions you may have about crosswords. You will leave the day with a better understanding of the setting process, with handouts to help you continue to develop your crossword solving and setting skills after the course.
Preparation
You’re encouraged to bring along any words and phrases you would particularly like to see in a crossword, some of which may just end up in the Guardian crossword printed in the newspaper.
Content
- A brief history of the crossword
- The process of creating a cryptic crossword puzzle from scratch
- The rules of solving and setting cryptic crosswords – and when they can be broken
- How to create clues, anagrams, hidden words, double definitions, reversals, containers, sound-alikes etc
- Write your own clues and contribute to the live creation of a crossword that will be printed in the Guardian
- The editing process
- Practical exercises and group work, commenting on Paul’s cryptic crossword as he creates it
- Your chance to ask any questions
Tutor profile
John Halpern (aka Paul) is the Guardian’s 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”. John is the author of The Centenary of the Crossword and tweets @crosswordpaul.
Details
Date: Sunday 18 February 2018
Times: Full day course, 10am-4pm
Location: The Guardian, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU
Price: £129 plus £3.19 booking fee
Event capacity: 36
Complimentary lunch and refreshments included.
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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.
