In my previous article on arts and sciences documentation I responded to a common SCA non-writer’s lament. It presented several ways to show off creations without detailed writing. 

So what? What can you do if you want to write documentation? How do you learn to do it or improve at it?

I won’t re-invent the wheel here. Instead, I give you resources to help you remove the scary from writing documentation.

If you are very new to this try the first link. Others have sections on basic documentation that help as well. 

Basic Documentation–This is a short article in Calontir’s Forgotten Sea’s Clarion newsletter well describing 3″5″ card documentation. Exactly what is expected for Queen’s Prize and novice part of Tri-levels.

5 Easy Steps to Writing Documentation–This excellent pdf breaks documentation into basic and ideal/detailed section. Each section includes the 5 steps. Examples included.

The SCA Arts and Sciences Easy Documentation-Writing Form on Ez-Doc–This Ez-Doc is form you edit with specific categories predetermined. You fill in sections relating to names (SCA and modern), project title, your inspiration (historical basis), tools and materials, procedure/methods, and sources.

Entries Showing Documentation

A & S Documentation Made Simple–A 2 page pdf about documentation steps. It’s presented in a form similar to many documentation entries I’ve judged. Examples included. 

Advanced Documentation–Another Forgotten Sea’s Clarion newsletter documentation article. 

Kingdom of Atlantia Arts and Sciences Handbook includes three brief sections on documentation.

As I come from the Kingdom of Calontir, I include this link to their Arts and Sciences Criteria. Have a look at what judges expect to learn from you about your creation. Each category is broken into sections: novice, intermediate, and advanced. 

There is so much to be learned from writing about your project. It crystallizes your knowledge about your medieval creation. These links will help you learn or improve your writing effort. 

Documentation doesn’t have to be scary. (I personally love it as I love to write.) Knowing how to go about it is just another learning experience. Welcome it!