Our project evaluation rubrics are designed to assist artisans who want to enter A&S projects into displays and competitions. They are also designed for judges as guides to scoring entries. Anyone is welcome to use our rubrics, they are not reserved for Kingdom events and are meant to help standardize expectations throughout the Sylvan realm.

When everyone knows what to expect while working on their projects, and expectations are set for both entrants and judges, we should arrive at an objective scoring platform throughout our Kingdom, with some room for subjective opinion. See also Ask Aunt Æthel and How To Document an A&S Entry for Competition for advice.

How does the scoring work?

The judging criteria or rubric is a feedback system to help show progress over time and help you develop your skills. If you are new to competition, or to your project, a score consistent in the 2-3 column would be equivalent to an apprentice or a Sycamore, and quite nice feedback. A score consistent in the 3 to 4 columns would be like a journeyman, or Fleur equivalent; in the 5 like a master or Laurel-level, and 6 would be the expert.

 

Score consistent in 2-3 columns         A solid beginner or Apprentice score.

Score consistent in 3-4 columns         Intermediate, or a Journeyman going places.

Score consistent in the 5 column        Advanced, a Master-level work.

And 6 would be the museum-quality   The Expert!

 

The highest score of the judging criteria is intended to reflect expert work, a museum-quality entry. Reaching this level should be the goal of every entrant, someday, but don’t expect it to happen overnight. Then when you do reach this milestone, it will be an achievement to be rightfully proud of – a true masterpiece!

Disclaimer: Scoring consistently at a certain level can be indicative you are working your way up to a specific SCAdian award of merit, but it can not automatically be assumed. Competition participation plays a factor in the path to an award of merit, but is by far not the deciding factor. It helps you to be visible but there are other ways of doing so that are just as important, like displays and teaching, whether in groups, one-on-one or through online tutorials.

You’ve been judged. Now what?
The judges are not judging your worth or effort; they are judging where you are on your journey. A lower score just means that there is a great future for you within yourself and your art form. Looking to up your game? Try scoring your project beforehand with either the standard evaluation rubric or the evaluation rubric (extended version). You’d be surprised what you might learn! And even better, you’d learn it before the competition, when you can still make changes.

 

We have four rubrics in both PDF format for download and in table format on their own pages. Each is designed for different kinds of projects or entrants:

 

Project Evaluation Rubrics

We have four rubrics in both PDF format for download and in table format on their own pages. Each is designed for different kinds of projects or entrants, and each comes with an accompanying Feedback Form:

Material Culture; most projects will use this basic rubric: PDF or web page.

Live Performance; adopted for music, singing, acting, etc.: PDF or web page.

Research Paper; adopted specifically to the written word: PDF or web page. See also SCA Research Papers.

Youth Projects; adopted for younger entrants: PDF or web page.

 

Feedback Forms

The Kingdom of Æthelmearc judging rubrics are accompanied by matching judging feedback forms. During evaluation the judges can quickly indicate score on a paper-printed rubric by circling the appropriate level for each category. Then the corresponding score is transferred to the judging feedback form, and personal feedback is added. Please add your contact information, including name and email, so the artisan can follow up as they like.

When an artisan enters into a judged competition this means they consent to critique. Unfortunately, not all commentary from judges will be helpful, and the artisan may not like or agree with what a judge has to say about their project. That’s part of the deal though – take what you need, disregard the rest. Entrants, don’t let the judging sheet be the end of the dialogue, especially if you don’t like something or feel like you can gain more from a longer conversation. Follow up and – hey look! You made a new friend. Judges, keep your commentary focused on the project and serve the compliment sandwich (constructive critique sandwiched between two feel-good compliments); make sure every part “tastes good”.

Material Culture judging feedback form: PDF

Live Performance judging feedback form: PDF

Research Paper judging feedback form: PDF

Youth Projects judging feedback form: PDF

 

Evaluation Rubrics – extended version

To assist those artisans new to judging and competitions, we developed extended versions of our single page evaluation rubric. The extended rubric takes too long when under time pressure, as would be the case with most competitions, but gives a bit more guidance for those new to the challenge. The extended rubrics are fairly similar to our traditional one-page rubrics, but by design not identical. As we all learn in different ways, perhaps a less clear area in the traditional rubric will be explained better for you in the extended rubric.

Are you new to judging? Read the extended rubric beforehand to get a bit more background on the often quite succinct topics listed on the traditional rubric.

Are you new to entering? Score your own project beforehand to learn where it could benefit from a bit more context or explanation.

Material Culture; most projects will use this basic rubric: PDF

Live Performance; adopted for music, singing, acting, etc.: PDF

Research Paper; adopted specifically to the written word: PDF

 

 

Mar 3, 2022 @ 12:52 pm