[mention]Spud[/mention] suggested I provide a guide to solving the cryptic Spectrum clues I post from time to time, so I've had a go below. I've included a bunch of examples from previous quizzes, with explanations. The explanations are mostly hidden in spoiler tags, so you can try the clues again, if you are so inclined.
I don't claim to be an expert at this, but I've done my best!
BASIC RULES
The clues I post usually follow the standard principles of newspaper cryptic crossword clues. That means each clue contains two parts. One part is a "straight" clue. This is a normal, non-cryptic clue. The other part is the cryptic bit. This is a code that, when deciphered, will give you the exact letters of the answer.
So the first task, when facing a clue, is to break it down into the two parts. This isn't always obvious. The straight clue can come at the start or at the end, and you don't know how long it is.
Consider this example:
No genteel atheists were harmed in the Nazi lair. [4, 3, 6, 4]
This clue can be broken down into the two parts, as follows:
No genteel atheists were harmed // in the Nazi lair.
The straight clue is to the right of the // mark: "in the Nazi lair". The cryptic part is to the left of the // mark.
As long as you can break the clue down into these two parts, you can always attempt the clue, even if you do not understand the cryptic part. In this case the straight clue "in the Nazi lair" leads you to the answer INTO THE EAGLE'S NEST.
Sometimes there might be bridging words to link the two halves of the clue. These words do not provide any part of the answer, but can help you work out how to divide the clue into its two parts.
For example:
Saline mix for foreigners. [6]
This breaks down as follows:
Saline mix / for / foreigners.
"Foreigners" is the straight clue, and "saline mix" the cryptic part. "For" is just bridging text. "Foreigners" gives you the correct answer, ALIENS.
ANAGRAMS
The cryptic part of each clue can be one of several types. One type is an anagram clue. Both the examples above are of this type.
Anagram clues comprise the letters of the anagram, plus a word or phrase to indicate that it is an anagram. Such words or phrases can be "jumbled", "confused", "upset", "awfully" or something similar.
To return to the examples above:
No genteel atheists were harmed // in the Nazi lair.
Here the anagram signifier is "were harmed". So the answer is an anagram of "no genteel atheists", or INTO THE EAGLE'S NEST, as we already worked out from the straight clue.
Saline mix / for / foreigners.
In this case "mix" indicates it is an anagram. So the answer is an anagram of "saline", or ALIENS.
Here are some more examples of anagram clues. Answers and explanations are in the spoiler tags.
1. Urgh, untidy designer! [4]
Spoiler
"Untidy" is the anagram signifier. "Urgh" gives you the letters of the anagram. "Designer" is the straight clue.
Spoiler
"Bewildered" signifies an anagram. "Dirk chased Tut" are the letters of the anagram. "And found" is bridging text. "A trifling child" is the (punning) straight clue.
Spoiler
"Travel through the dimensions" is the straight clue. "And" is bridging text. "In a state of confusion" is the anagram signifier. "Meet a git" are the anagram letters.
Spoiler
"A tolerant voice" gives you the anagram letters. "Transformed" is the anagram indicator. "An uprising" is the straight clue (another pun).
Spoiler
This one's not mine, but was written by STeaM. "Snag her" are the anagram letters. "Awfully" tells you it is an anagram. "With the" is bridging text. "Teeth" is the straight clue (though "tooth" would be a bit more precise).