Creating a logic puzzle

Well, you know what a logic puzzle is, you know how to solve one, maybe you've even looked at our creations! Well, it would seem that you're a logic expert now, so you probably want to make some puzzles of your own. Before you set out, here are some hints.

1.As you probably know already, there are many types of logic puzzles. Anagrams, Tournament Puzzles, Who Did What Puzzles, and complex equations. Pick which type you'll do, adn then lay out all the info before starting. Suppose it's a Tournament puzzle. You could write the names of every contestant, with a grid to hold them. Then decide if the puzzle should be easy or difficult. When making a hard puzzle, include the vare minimum of facts. If you want it to be easy, include lots of facts, even ones that aren't needed. One trick that is funny, but should only be used occasionally, is adding totally irrelevant info, like "Larry's name starts with L." That will make your "audience" laugh, but it gets boring after a while.

2. Sometimes, it's helpful to get an extra sheet of paper and write the puzzle backwards. Decide on the answer, and work backwards from there. This trick can make puzzle writing loads easier, but make sure the puzzle is solvable! It wouldn't be very fun if you went through an exhausting logic puzzle, only to find that it's impossible to solve in the end.

3. Give your characters imaginative names. Don't do ones like Person 1, or Guy 2. If you do a name like Bob, or Joe, give them an imaginative last name. An example of a possible name is Marcus Antolin.

If you want, you can make up a name that fits the puzzle like

Rube Cube

or

Han D. Man

Using interesting names grabs the reader's attention!

4. If you don't want someone to figure out the answer easily, you could make the last step be "combine the winner's name with the person in second place's, and unscramble the anagram that results." Suppose the two are named Adam and Tom. The answer spot is "John is _ _ _ _ _ _ _. " Whoever is solving the puzzle would get adamtom. Then they'd have to unscramble "adamtom" to get the answer, "John is mad at mo."

5. New puzzles can be really fun to make and solve. You can expand on a category or make your own new one. The possibilities are endless!

If you follow these tips and common sense, it's possible to make a great logic puzzle. If you're ready to try out these hints, click here to make your own logic puzzle! Just type your puzzle in the box that come up, then click File, then scroll the cursor down and click Print. You'll have made your own Logic Puzzle! (Hint: If you're making a tournament grid and need lines to connect names, hold Shift and hit the button on the far right, beneath the Delete key. It makes a vertical line, like this |.) Good luck with your puzzles!