How to Use Constrained Writing to Send a Secret Message

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Secret codes can be used to send fun messages between friends. [1] X Research source These codes can also help messages get past censors in more serious situations. Knowing how to create, write, and send an encoded message using constrained language can help get your messages out undetected. Learning a few different constrained language codes can help your messages become even more secure.

Sample Coded Paragraphs

Building an Acrostic Code

• For example, you might want to hide a message like “HELP IN DANGER”
• You would likely want to avoid a message like “PLEASE HELP ME I AM IN DANGER” because it's too long.

• If you wanted to hide the word “HELP”, you would need to use H, E, L, and P in your message.
• Make sure you don't miss any letters, as this can change the code. For example, missing the letter L in “HELP” would result in the code reading “HEP”.

• As an example, imagine that you are trying to encode the word “HELP”.
• Your first sentence would have to start with the letter H. “How is everyone at home?” would be a good choice.
• The next sentence would need to start with the letter E. “Everything still going well in town?” could be used in this case.
• Continue in this way until the message is fully encoded.
• It's important that your sentences and message don't draw attention to the encoded message. Keep your tone and content neutral and natural.

• If you missed any letters, add them to your encoded message to make sure it's readable.
• Make sure you didn't add any sentences that aren't part of the code. This could change the meaning of the original message you were trying to encode.
• “How is everyone at home? Everything still good? Looking forward to coming back. Please take care of my dog until then!” would be an example of encoding the word “HELP” using the acrostic method.

Making a Code with Your Keyboard

Consider which word you want to encode. Before you can use this method to create a coded message, you'll need to know what you want to encode. You can choose almost any word you might want. [6] X Research source However, it's a good idea to favor shorter messages, as longer codes may be more difficult to create.

• There are three rows on the keyboard, one starting with Q, the next starting with A and the last starting with Z.
• You will need to think of words that use only one row of letters, with the exception of the letter you are using to build your code.
• You will spell out your code one letter at a time, hiding it in another word.

• “Terra” would hide the letter A. T, E and R are all in the top row of the keyboard while the letter A is in the second row. Because letter A isn't part of the row the other letters are, it stands out and is read as part of the coded message.
• “Rag” “art” “now” would hide the code word RAN.

• “Don't rag on me so much. Writing things is an art. Now, send me another message.” would encode the word RAN. The keywords are the rug, art, and now and they hide the letters r, a, and n.
• Only the words using the keyboard code will be decoded.
• Not every word will be part of the code. In fact, many words in your document will not be used as part of the code.
• Be careful not to accidentally include words that might be part of the code. Use only words that are made on one row of keys or all three, if they aren't part of the code.

Using Spelling Errors to Send a Code

• Try to keep your message simple and short. “SEND HELP” would be a good example.
• Messages such as “PLEASE HELP ME I'M IN DANGER” might be too long or too difficult to hide using the spelling error code.

• Much of the letter you send using this method will look completely normal.

• Imagine you want to hide the word “RUN” in your document.
• “Terific! Nevur have been there. Annother day perhaps?” would encode the word RUN using spelling errors. A letter R is missing from "terrific", the letter U is used instead of E in "never" and the word "another" has an extra letter N.
• Try to space out your spelling errors. Make them look like actual mistakes.
• Don't randomly place letters that wouldn't naturally be mistaken. For example, “I zaw a ghost” would likely stand out too much if you're trying to include the letter Z in your message.

• If you missed any letters that make up your code, go back and add them in.
• It's important that you spell everything else correctly. Accidental misspellings will change the message.

Building A Stronger Code

• You can combine ciphers with other code methods to increase the security of your message. [7] X Research source
• You might use the acrostic method to hint at the real message which was encoded using the spelling error code. You could try writing "SPELLING ERRORS" with an acrostic code to indicate another message using the spelling error code.
• You could try encoding half the message with the keyboard method and the other with the acrostic method.
• Try encoding the first letter of a word with one code method and the next letter with another method. Keep alternating codes, using both coding methods, to build a more secure message.

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• If a friend breaks your code, that means it's too easy to guess. Learn from your mistakes and create a more difficult code.

• Ask someone to read over your message and note anything that sticks out. If something sticks out, your tone wasn't neutral enough.

• Ciphers will require you and a contact to use the same cipher.

• Some codes require you to share them with a friend. For example, if you and a friend were using a cipher wheel, you would both need to know the what cipher you are using to decode the message. [9] X Research source
• Get in plenty of practice using your method of choice.
• You and a friend can practice both sending and receiving coded messages to each other.

Community Q&A

It's best if you work with your friends before sending a code. You can discuss which methods you will use and how they can be decoded, before it becomes necessary to send the code.

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1. ↑https://www.futurelearn.com/info/courses/maths-puzzles/0/steps/14024
2. ↑http://www.poetry4kids.com/blog/lessons/how-to-write-an-acrostic-poem/
3. ↑https://www.youngwriters.co.uk/types-acrostic
4. ↑https://www.youngwriters.co.uk/types-acrostic
5. ↑http://www.poetry4kids.com/blog/lessons/how-to-write-an-acrostic-poem/
6. ↑https://phonicsinternational.com/FR_PI_Guidance_for_phonics_routines.pdf
7. ↑http://www.exploratorium.edu/ronh/secret/secret.html
8. ↑https://nrich.maths.org/2197
9. ↑http://www.exploratorium.edu/ronh/secret/secret.html

About This Article

This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 364,971 times.

Constrained writing is a method of sending a secret message to someone. One way of sending a secret message is to use the first letter of each sentence to spell it out. For example, if you wanted to send the word “Help,” your first sentence could be, “How are you?” Then, start the other sentences with the letters E, L, and P. Keep your message short so it's easy for your friend to decode. If you're using more than one word, break the words down into individual letters and spell them out with the first word of each sentence. Just make sure your friend knows the code you're using before you send the message. For more tips, including how to make a code with your keyboard, read on!