Word search puzzles (often simply known as "word searches") are puzzle games normally played using a pen and paper. The player's goal is to find a number of words hidden in a grid or table of letters. The challenge of the game stems from three factors:
- Firstly, the words can be hidden at any position or orientation within the grid of letters. Words may be vertical (going up, or going down), horizontal (left to right, or right to left) or diagonally (in any of the four diagonal directions).
- Secondly, not all letters in the grid may be part of a word. Moreover, given that words can cross and overlap. Combined with the jumble of different orientations and positions, it may be extremely difficult to locate all of the words hidden in the puzzle.
- Thirdly, the player may or may not be given a list of words to search for. Usuaully players are in fact given a list, but this is not absolutely necessary - in fact the puzzle is much more difficult in the absence of such a list. Puzzle designers who choose not to provide a word list, do usually give at least a clue as to the type or subject of the words in the puzzle.
While many people enjoy word search puzzles as a leisure activity, it should also not be forgotten that these puzzles can also have educational value, especially in terms of practising spelling and reading. This is because students must knowt the correct spelling of words (along with the learning to work methodically) in order to solve the puzzle.
Creating a word search puzzle by hand is no easy task - it's a time consuming, trial error process, but, in all honesty, not nearly as much fun as solving these puzzles. One solution is to use your computer to create these puzzles - it then becomes quick and easy - just type a list of words, and with the help of suitable software, a puzzle appears in a flash. Additionally the computer makes it very easy to try out different sizes, shapes and word lists when creating these puzzles.
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar