Activity 1 – Encryption and Codes
Objective
The student will translate text using several coded message schemes.
Materials
Paper and pencil
Definitions
Symbol
Message
Coded message
Codebook
Scheme
A letter, number, or other design used to represent text within a message.
A series of symbols used to convey communication.
A message translated into code.
A list of the symbol relationships used to translate a coded message.
The method used to translate a coded message.
Instructions
Follow the schemes below to create your own coded messages and translations. Create a code and have a
fellow student translate. You may create a scheme of your own design.
Grading
You will be graded on the following criteria:
Quantity
The amount of words and messages translated. The more you write, the higher the grade.
Variety
The number of different codes used. Translate using multiple schemes to earn more points.
Appearance Neatness and organization of the messages and translations. Handwriting counts!
Content
The meaning of the messages translated. Write a story through your messages, including an
espionage mission, secret love letter, or even blackmail.
Scheme 1: One-to-One Symbolic Relationship
With this scheme, each symbol is represented by a corresponding symbol within the alphabet. This is also
known as a Cryptoquote.
Example 1
A
Z
Coded message:
Translation:
B
Y
C
X
D
W
Codebook 1 – Letters
E F G H I J
V U T S R Q
R ZN RM KLHRGRLN.
I AM IN POSITION.
K
P
L
O
M
N
CROO XIVZGV WREVIHRLM FKLM HRTMZO.
WILL CREATE DIVERSION UPON SIGNAL.
Example 2
Codebook 2 – Letters and Numbers
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q
R
S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 <space>
Coded message:
Translation:
AC8841WAR47ERRAW6VRB7RU77 V16SBWARJLO6RTGRINW
SUPPLIES LOW SEND TO COORDINATES 247N BY 16E
Scheme 2: One-to-One Graphic Representation
With this scheme, each symbol is represented by a corresponding symbol. Rather than a letter or number, it is a
symbol used with a graphic representation.
Example 3
a
b
d
c
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
m
n
o
q
r
s
t
u
v
w
x
y
z
p
Codebook 3 – Graphic Symbol Representations
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
Coded message:
Translation:
Coded message:
Translation:
Coded message:
Translation:
WE
ARE
PREPARE
THE
FUTURE
TO
BE
ASSIMILATED
Scheme 3: Rearranged or Unnecessary Symbols
With this scheme, no codebook is required. To translate the message only requires the method used.
Example 4 – Reverse entire message
Coded message:
od ot woh tuo derugif I tahw kooL
Translation:
Look what I figured out how to do
Example 5 – Ignore the small letters
Coded message:
About time, Bob. Or, rather, Robert. Try not to MISS me
too much. I remember Oregon’s Northern area quite well.
Translation:
ABORT MISSION