How to Write an SCP Article | Sure Guide

You are currently reading How to Write an SCP article? If you’re reading this, you’re most likely a member of the SCP Foundation looking to contribute an article. This page will help you get started by pointing you in the right direction. Read it thoroughly; do not skim it. After you’ve finished, go back and read it again because you’re a human (right?) and you’ll have missed something.

Some Things to Think About Before You Begin.
In general, successful SCP article contain the majority or all of the following elements:

An intriguing concept.

Containment procedures that are reasonable.
A concise explanation.
These are required for a good SCP. An SCP should captivate the reader right away; it cannot be muddled by excessive exposition. Before you begin, try to understand what your SCP does.

Many first SCP article fail miserably for various reasons, the most common of which is the writer’s lack of experience.

This is a difficult task.

Some first SCPs do exceptionally well because their authors either had an instant understanding of what and how to write (which is unusual) or took their time getting their bearings and learning the lay of the land. Always seek feedback on the Ideas Critique forum and/or in our official chats to avoid the dreaded failed first SCP. Take this feedback seriously, even if it is harsh and direct. You can always contact a member of staff if you believe someone left insulting feedback. We will take action if boundaries are crossed.

Low-rated pages are always deleted from the site once they are rated -10 or lower and have been on the wiki for the required 24 hours (for more information, see the Deletions Guide), so don’t be too disappointed if something you wrote is deleted. If your first SCP fails, try to learn from your mistakes. Determine whether the idea is salvageable and what worked and what didn’t in terms of writing.

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When your writing ability isn’t up to the level of your idea, keeping track of old ones for re-writing is a good strategy. Those can always be kept in your sandbox. If you struggle with the clinical tone, but you understand the Foundationverse and the subjects and themes it explores, you can always try your hand at writing tales. Tales are no less important than SCP articles.

Also, please keep in mind that posting a bad SCP to ‘get the bad luck out’ does nothing but clutter the site. Put your best foot forward when writing your first SCP, because it will be used to judge your subsequent works. Make jokes in the chat room. Upload actual work to the website. It will improve your reputation, help the site, and set a good example for other newcomers.

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The best piece of advice that any of us can offer is to be patient. Sit back and relax; we have all kinds of articles. Spend some time learning how the site works. See what’s good and bad, what’s most popular and what gets downvoted. Learn what types of things people look for in an article, and you’ll be better prepared to succeed with your writing.