The fear of the paranormal has forever existed within human society. From early ghost stories to modern horror films, people have always been drawn to monsters in the dark. The SCP Foundation is another iteration of this fascination, a fictional website of an organization built to contain "anomalies," paranormal or unnatural phenomena that exist beyond the public eye. It is a global project that includes thousands of anomalous objects, each a short horror story, written by authors all around the world. SCP has garnered international fame for its high-quality articles and often terrifying or fascinating themes, and it is likely the largest collaborative fictional universe ever created. 

One problem that existed within the Creepypasta Wiki was the general lack of quality control. There were thousands of short stories within it, but only a select few were well-written horror stories. The SCP Foundation does not have that problem, as the requirements to get an SCP published are very strict. First, an individual must create an account on the website. This is more challenging than simply setting a username and password, as it requires users to write an essay about their qualifications and writing experience, their age, and several other factors. The account request will be sent to a moderator, who will either accept or deny new users. If accepted, drafts for new SCPS can be submitted to the website’s article review page. These will then receive constructive criticism from other authors and, in the vast majority of cases, they will never become full-fledged articles. To become an SCP, an article must be expertly written, have a fascinating and unique idea, and be presented within the format of a secret government article. This ensures that there are no bad articles on the website, and it is very difficult to find even minor grammar errors or plot holes. The high standard of quality control also contributes to the immersion of the Foundation, with most articles reading like genuine top-secret articles.

As of 2023, there have been eight series of articles, each potentially consisting of 1,000 individual SCPS. Much of the eighth series still has empty slots, so there are more like 6–7,000 published articles. Each must fit into the lore and continuity of the Foundation, so there are a few requirements they must follow. First, the articles are split into three main sections. The first is the containment procedures, which consist of the type of containment that the SCP must be kept in. This will help outline the SCP's nature, as each SCP has different requirements. The next section is the Description, which is where the SCP is described in detail. The third and final section are any data logs, field reports, or additional information on the SCP, which is generally where the meat of the SCP’s intrigue can be found. This is the section for readers to gain a deeper understanding of the SCP. This format is important for maintaining the immersion of each article. 

The SCP Foundation is a fascinating collection of fiction that leans heavily into humanity’s innate fear of the unknown. Within the Foundation Archives are some of the most unique and innovative horror concepts ever written, for those brave enough to seek them out. For horror genre fans, the SCP Foundation is definitely a must-read, as there is something for just about everyone behind the Foundation's classified documents. 

Sources:

• https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/history-of-the-universe-part-one

• https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/guide-for-newcomers 

• https://scp-wiki.wikidot.com/is-there-a-difference