CCCWC October competition voters’ comments
Clue no. 53: Take up crate manufacturing
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A clue to CAPTURE.
2 comments refer to this clue (from 2 competitors, 0 others)
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| Comments on the competition |
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| 1. |
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| With so many entries it's not surprising to see some very similar ideas, for example 18 and 40, 43 and 47, 44 and 59. 24 and 37 rely on practically identical but dubious homophones. Several clues don't read very naturally, e.g 11 13 17 20 32 33 34 42 53. I don't see how "screen" works as a definition in58. Dr.Edwards is supefluous in 22. Vacuum = capture dust in 23 is tenuous to say the least. 14 is probably the most inventive clue but since a capon is not necessarily a turkey I ruled it out, sorry. (Chambers simply has "a castrated cock".) Some excellent pithy clues – 5 stands out, and 26 is very elegantly constructed. I also rather like 2, 10 12 18 and 40. Perhaps surprisingly, no references to the Tea Party. |
| 2. |
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There was much repetition of wordplay (apt in cure, curate+p; teacup+r; p,u and t in care, etc). I'm afraid I didn't find any of the large number of "apt in cure" clues appealing, though I enjoyed examples of all the others. Is it fair to downgrade anagram clues for lack of originality simply because many competitors think of the same anagram?
I found the concise clues the most satisfying ones this month. For longer clues, I aim to look for wit, ingenuity or topicality to justify the extra length; there were indeed topical clues relating, for example, to the Chilean miners, but I'm afraid I found the wording of those a bit clumsy. It's hard to combine the necessary precision in clue-writing with an interesting reference to a topical event.
The clue I enjoyed most was 30, with its nice allusion and precise wording; 4 points to that, with 3 points for 49, 2 points for 18 and 54, and 1 point each for 4, 21, 35, 53. |
