• A list of Words with the identity of each word being indicated by a Clue, just as happens in a standard crossword puzzle. These words do not interlink with each other, but the set of first letters, taken in order, spell out an additional word (or phrase or sentence) which is referred to as the Key Word.

• A Key Paragraph which appears in a grid with the spaces between words being represented by means of black cells. This results in an appearance which is very similar to that of a traditional crossword puzzle. Typically, the Key Paragraph will be a clue to the identity of the Key Word mentioned above.

• Each letter in the list of Words also appears in the Key Paragraph, and its location in the Key Paragraph is indicated by means of an identification number. Similarly, each letter in the Key Paragraph appears in the list of Words, and its location is indicated by means of both the identification number, and an identifying letter to show the Word which contains it.

• As the solution of the puzzle progresses, you can begin to guess some of the letters (and words) in the key paragraph, and when you transfer these letters to their correct positions in the list of words you will get some further assistance in discovering the identities of those words.

The applet presents two Acrostic puzzles which you can select using the choice box located immediately above the clues.

If you point your mouse cursor to any location within the bounds of the puzzle, then most web browsers will dispaly a set of icons in the top left hand corner of the puzzle area. One of these icons will be a printer, and clicking it will result in the puzzle being sent to your printer.