Teaching article

Crossword crossings are evidence for checking an answer

Use both clues and shared letters.

A plausible word remains provisional when another clue conflicts at a shared letter. Revisit both entries and compare the evidence, rather than assuming the first answer entered must be correct.

Treat a conflicting crossing as evidence to investigate. Either intersecting answer may need revision rather than automatically trusting the first entry.

Let the intersection prompt a recheck

Solve a clear clue. Check crossing letters. Revisit conflicts.

Two plausible words may differ at a crossing that another clue constrains.

A guessed word is provisional.

Which crossing supports the answer? Supply a small word bank.

Resources

  • My Puzzle Strategy — Record a strategy and one specific observation about how it helped.

Further reading

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