Lochac Kingdom A&S competition judging scheme
Lochac’s A&S competitions use a judging scheme which awards points across a set of categories, or judging criteria. This scheme allows different types of entries to be fairly compared across the entire Kingdom. Local competitions can use the same scheme, or any other competition format which works for the group concerned.
This page explains the official categories and how points are allocated within them. The schema to do this is called a “rubric”, and the Lochac A&S competition judging rubric provides guidance on how many points to allocate in each category.
There are five categories, and each entry will get a score between 0-10 for each category. The categories are:
- Workmanship
- Authenticity
- Process
- Complexity
- Documentation
A perfect score in each category would give the entrant 50/50 points – i.e., the maximum score on the rubric is 50.
Judging is best done as a group task, with points and commentary decided together before being recorded on the form. If judges have to work separately for any reason, the final rubric total will be the average of the separate judges’ scores.
As of September Crown A.S. 59 (2024), a bonus of 50 points is awarded to every entrant, in acknowledgement of the effort and grace they have displayed by sharing their creativity with the Kingdom. This brings the total possible score for each entrant to 100 points.
If you are a judge, or thinking about judging, then you might also want to look at how to judge a competition.
Lochac A&S Competition Judging Rubric
How to use the rubric: As a judge you should consider which statement best fits the entry you are judging. Then decide if the entry is a good example of that statement. If so award it the top possible score for that statement, otherwise award it the lower of the possible scores. The rubric is printed on the Entrant and Judging form.
Workmanship
The workmanship element of the rubric asks the question: “Did you make a quality item?”
00-02 Rudimentary skill is employed. Item may not be fit for purpose.
03-04 Displays continuing development of appropriate skills. Some issues with finish and/or function.
05-06 Demonstrates a competent skill level. Item is generally well-made and fit for purpose.
07-08 Created with a high level of skill and attention to detail. Functional and neatly finished. Only minor flaws.
09-10 Very high level of technical skill, with very careful attention to detail and finish. A master work.
Authenticity
The authenticity element of the rubric asks the question: “Is this something a person of the time/place would recognise?”
00-02 Uses completely, or mainly, non-period materials, techniques or design.
03-04 Includes approximately period materials, techniques and/or design elements.
05-06 Informed and practical combination of authentic materials, techniques and/or design elements alongside non-period compromises.
07-08 The majority of the materials, techniques and design elements involved are plausibly authentic. Minimal compromise.
09-10 Combines period materials, techniques and design in producing a highly authentic entry. A replica which would make experts look twice.
Process
The process element of the rubric asks the question: “How have you used available evidence to reach conclusions and then execute them?”
00-02 Offers minimal information about the method of construction and/or the materials used. Choices are not supported by evidence.
03-04 Provides very general notes on construction and the materials used. Offers some explanation of design choices, with minimal reference to sources.
05-06 Concise description of construction, materials, design choices and substitutions. Offers some insight into the creative
process, reasonably supported by the evidence provided.
07-08 Detailed explanation of why particular materials and methods were used, using a range of sources to justify most design decisions and substitutions.
09-10 Provides a clear, comprehensive and well-justified explanation of the method and materials used, and presents a fully-referenced argument in support of all design decisions.
Complexity
The complexity element of the rubric asks the question: “How difficult was the thing to make, and how much effort did you put into it?”
00-02 Fast beginner project with little chance of failure. Techniques are very simple. (e.g.: “grabbed a stick”)
03-04 Includes several easy stages in creating the entry. Explores some alternative options or techniques.
05-06 Considerable time and effort involved in experimentation and creation. Moderately advanced techniques are employed.
07-08 Thorough exploration of the theme, using complex techniques. Requires concentrated effort and detailed stages to produce the item.
09-10 Expands upon the theme. A very ambitious project, combining many different, difficult, and time-consuming techniques and stages.
Documentation
The documentation element of the rubric asks the question: “Do you understand what you did, and why you did it?”
00-02 Not provided, or only very broadly identifies period / location of origin. (e.g.: “my medieval axe”)
03-04 Identifies specific period and location of origin. Some indication of historical function or usage, supported by minimal evidence.
05-06 Places the entry in its general historical context, and uses several suitable resources in a factual overview of the evidence. A
basis for further study.
07-08 Uses a range of sources to discuss the item, in terms of its context and of the evidence and inspiration behind its creation. Offers insight to the reader.
09-10 A scholarly level of analysis and discussion, using primary and secondary sources, with detailed discussion and sustained argument around the basis for the creation of the entry. Inspires the reader.