Classroomtools.com: Rules for constructing a crossword puzzle

Creative Uses for Textbooks
Crossword Mania

How to Construct a Crossword Puzzle

To create a crossword puzzle, you

select a puzzle topic

select words related to the topic for the puzzle

write a clear, concise clue for each word

layout the words on a blank working grid

number the words and block the grid

words are numbered from

1 to ? - in ascending sequential order, each number placed in the upper left corner of the rectangle containing the first letter of each word

upper left to lower right

blocks (filled in rectangles) need to be placed before the first letter, and following the last letter of each word

calculate the size grid you need for the final puzzle by eliminating empty rows and columns from the outside in (see sample)

prepare the final grid and transfer the numbers and blocks to it

add the clues to the final puzzle sheet

prepare a second copy with the letters added to serve as a key

return to the Crossword Mania page

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