As an avid reader of the New York Times, you may have encountered unfamiliar terms like “goads” in certain articles and pondered their meaning. Goads, in the context of the NYT, are succinct prompts employed by journalists during interviews to coax out additional details or guide conversations in specific directions. The NYT strategically utilizes goads in its reporting to extract crucial information from sources or gain deeper insights into complex subjects. Recognizing goads as a reader enhances comprehension of interview insights and contextualizes discussions.
What Are Goads on NYT?
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Goads serve as brief comments appended to the end of New York Times articles, facilitating swift reader reactions and discussions on the content. Originally introduced in 2018, goads aim to foster community engagement and catalyze thoughtful digital discourse surrounding Times journalism.
As a reader, accessing all goads pertaining to a particular article entails scrolling to the page’s bottom. The Times curates a selection of the most insightful and representative goads for prominent display. Readers can then vote on the most valuable goads, facilitating the ascension of the best comments to prominence.
To contribute one’s own goad, simply select the ‘Add a Goad’ option located at an article’s conclusion. Users are prompted to submit comments of up to 140 characters, fostering engagement with and expansion upon article themes. Personal attacks, spam, and off-topic remarks are prohibited.
All goads undergo review by the Times prior to publication to ensure adherence to community standards. Goads failing to meet these criteria are excluded from publication. By elevating online discourse, the Times aspires for goads to evolve into a meaningful platform for global readers to connect and engage in discussions pertinent to our world.
Participation in the Goads program is accessible to all and straightforward. After finishing an insightful Times article, share your perspective to potentially ignite engaging digital dialogues and shed light on paramount issues.
The History of Goads on the New York Times Crossword To fully appreciate the New York Times crossword, one must delve into its rich history.
The First Crossword In 1913,
the New York World newspaper published the inaugural crossword puzzle, sparking a crossword craze. This trend led the NYT to debut its own crossword in 1942, crafted by Margaret Farrar. This maiden NYT crossword established
the classic style:
The Evolution Continues As crosswords surged in mainstream popularity, the NYT crossword underwent metamorphosis. In the 1950s and 60s, puzzles edited by Eugene T. Maleska featured pithy, reference-laden content. The grid expanded to 17×17 in the late 60s, then to 19×19, accommodating increasingly ambitious themes and colloquial language.
The Modern Epoch Under the stewardship of Will Shortz, editor since 1993, the NYT crossword prioritizes cleverness, whimsy, and inclusivity. The Sunday puzzle, spanning 21×21, showcases diverse vocabulary, pop culture allusions, and visual elements. Midweek puzzles exhibit a progressive difficulty curve, challenging novices and seasoned solvers alike.
The NYT crossword retains its status as the quintessential standard, boasting a storied past, unwavering quality, and timeless allure. Engaging with these puzzles is a delight for enthusiasts of wordplay and vocabulary alike. With practice, you’ll unravel each puzzle, acquiring knowledge along the way.
Examples of Tricky Goads Found in NYT Crosswords The New York Times crossword delights in incorporating clever misdirections and deceptive “goads” to confound solvers.
Here are several common examples of goads encountered in the NYT crossword:
Ambiguous Clues Certain clues intentionally obfuscate or mislead. For instance, “Sticky stuff” might allude to glue, gum, or tree sap. “Bird feature” could encompass a beak, feather, or nest. These clues compel solvers to consider multiple interpretations, requiring keen attention to detail and lateral thinking.
Punctuation Ploys Clue writers occasionally manipulate punctuation, omitting quotation marks, commas, or dashes to sow confusion. For example, “Chew noisily” hints at “chomp” rather than “chew.” “Capital of Montana” references Helena, not the state itself. Beware of these subtle punctuation nuances.
Wordplay Wonders The NYT crossword revels in clues incorporating puns, anagrams, reversals, and other linguistic gymnastics. “Stadium level” may connote “tier”; “Tennis great” might disguise Navratilova spelled backwards; “Oaters” cryptically hints at Westerns. Seek meanings beyond the literal for these clues.
Preposition Perplexities Prepositions like “to,” “for,” “with,” or “at” are occasionally deployed misleadingly. For instance, “Roosevelt with a violin” alludes to “fiddle”; “Name for a dog” disguises “Fido”; “Used for driving” hints at “tee.” Scrutinize prepositional usage meticulously in these clues.
Strategies for Solving Goads Clues Mastering the art of solving “goads” in The New York Times Sunday crossword necessitates strategic thinking and keen deduction. Clues in goads are crafted to lead solvers to solutions through circuitous routes, demanding analytical scrutiny of wordplay and subtle cues. Employ the following strategies to unlock these enigmas.
Common goad techniques include:
Homophones:
Words pronounced similarly but spelled differently, such as “write” and “right.” Anagrams: Jumbled letters forming valid words or phrases, often containing smaller words within.
Double meanings:
Clues with two interpretations, one straightforward and the other idiomatic or metaphorical. Seek semantic connections among words, phrases, or concepts within the clue. Synonyms, antonyms, categories, rhymes, and allusions serve as guiding threads toward solutions.
Deconstruct the clue word-by-word, exploring alternate meanings or roles each word might assume within the context. A single word’s interpretation can be pivotal in unraveling the goad.
Employ a trial-and-error approach. After identifying potential solutions based on the strategies above, guess and assess each against the clue
Conclusion
In essence, the New York Times Goad section presents a captivating array of games, puzzles, and brain teasers designed to stimulate your intellect and broaden your perspectives. Whether you gravitate towards the structured logic of sudoku, the linguistic twists of crosswords, or the spatial cognition of kakuro, the NYT Goad section caters to diverse interests. Engaging with these mental challenges regularly can help maintain cognitive acuity as you age, offering not only a respite from stress but also a source of entertainment. Whether you seek a brief yet stimulating mental exercise or simply a delightful diversion, exploring the New York Times Goad section promises gratification for your mind.
