All in one
&lit clues
In an &lit (and literally so), the whole clue is both the definition and the wordplay. Nothing is leftover padding.
These are the showpieces. When a clue feels like a complete statement that also encodes letters, consider &lit.
You still need a fair wordplay engine underneath (anagram, initials, “I'm a leader of…”) that uses every word.
&lit checklist
Both readings must use the whole clue. If anything is spare padding, it is not an &lit.
| Ask | Need |
|---|---|
| As a definition, does the whole clue describe the answer? | Yes |
| As wordplay, does every word earn its keep? | Yes |
| Is there a fair engine underneath (anagram, initials, charade…)? | Yes |
| Would the clue still work if you treated half as spare surface? | No (then not &lit) |
Things to watch
- Ask: if I treat the entire clue as a definition, does the answer fit?
- Then ask: if I treat it only as wordplay, do I use every word?
- Both answers must be yes.
Worked example
I'm a leader of mosques (4)