How to solve crosswords

We have already discussed anagrams. Now we turn to partial anagrams, and to that masterly type of clue known as "anag & lit". Consider the following: "One in teens most unusual in this assembly (6)." This is, fairly obviously, an anagram of "teens", with one ("a" or "i") put in the middle; and we have to think of a place where members are usually of mature age. Think of an American assembly. Now try "What blended teas give round tip of tongue (5)." Again, we have a single letter T (the "tip" of "tongue") inside a well-indicated anagram (teas, "blended"). You all have the answer, I know. Any note appended to the solution would read: (anagram includes T).

A more difficult example would be a clue where a group of letters is added to, or included within, the anagram: "Item gran arranged family slides in (5,7)," Here, four letters - "clan", family - "slides in" an anagram of "item gran", giving: MAGI - CLAN - TERN. One further partial anagram: "He could produce hay scent with start of mowing (9)." Anagram including M, agreed? And the definition is under our noses: a fellow cutting grass in a field with - well, something. Hang on just a minute.

Please note that in each of these examples, the clue as a whole, including the anagram, is simultaneously a definition of the answer required, all wrapped up in one bundle. In crossword vocabulary, this is termed "anag & lit", where "lit" (one supposes) stands for "literally what it says". And sometimes we can go that one step further and make all the letters of the anagram equate to the definition, without any further bits and bobs added on - or taken away, for that matter.

If, for example, we go back to our "scytheman" (did you get him?), we find from our dictionary - I browse through mine all the time - that he not only mows hay, but also represents Old Father Time, the scythe-wielding perennial whom none of us can shy (meaning "shrink from"). So perhaps a superior clue giving the same answer would be: "The doddery can't shy me", where not a single word is wasted.

We'll look at one last example, from the celebrated Observer setter Ximenes, of the "pure" anag & lit, and perhaps set a little homework for you. "Origin of the great Red (8)." Not easy, agreed; but you may guess that it's a place where a famous socialist was born (originated). A minister from South Wales, perhaps? And remember that, as well as a dictionary, it is often useful to have an atlas at hand. For me, as for many solvers, this is the king (queen, if you prefer) of all the types of clue.

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