Science Fiction

Extrapolates from current scientific trends & explores scientific possibilities Extrapolates from current scientific trends & explores scientific possibilities Technology may be the driving force of the story or the setting Technology may be the driving force of the story or the setting Tends to predict or define the future Tends to predict or define the future “If this, then what?”“If this, then what?”

Science Fiction Imaginary elements are possible within established or postulated laws of nature Although… Sometimes it’s difficult to draw the line between what is scientifically possible and what is not

Science Fantasy A Wrinkle in Time (Madeline L’Engle) Fantasy? Or, because time travel is theoretically possible, is it science fiction?

Light Science Fiction Relies on technological advances to create the story Relies on technological advances to create the story Jane Yolen’s Commander Toad seriesJane Yolen’s Commander Toad series Betsy Duffy’s Alien for RentBetsy Duffy’s Alien for Rent Involves adventure foremost Involves adventure foremost

“Deeper” Science Fiction Science fiction for older readers offers the same kind of DEEP QUESTIONING that fantasy offers, but the questions relate to scientific possibilities

How do you know it’s Science Fiction? A setting in the future or alternative time line A setting in the future or alternative time line A setting in outer space or involving aliens or unknown civilizations A setting in outer space or involving aliens or unknown civilizations The discovery or application of new scientific principles The discovery or application of new scientific principles Political or social systems different from those of the known present or past Political or social systems different from those of the known present or past

Categories of Science Fiction SPECULATIVE FICTION SPECULATIVE FICTION Catch-all term for sci fi & fantasyCatch-all term for sci fi & fantasy Refers to novels that focus less on advances in technology and more on issues of social changeRefers to novels that focus less on advances in technology and more on issues of social change Aldous Huxley's Brave New WorldAldous Huxley's Brave New World George Orwell's 1984George Orwell's 1984 Lois Lowry’s The GiverLois Lowry’s The Giverwww.sfsite.com

Categories of Science Fiction CYBERPUNK CYBERPUNK Explores fusion between man & machine Perfection of the Internet and virtual reality technology Characters experience and interact with computers in a 3D graphic environment that feels physically real The society tends to be urban and anarchicwww.sfsite.com

Categories of Science Fiction MILITARY SCI FI Basically, the armed forces in space. Basically, the armed forces in space. PARALLEL/ALTERNATE UNIVERSE For every decision made or event that occurs, there is another place where the decision or the event went differently For every decision made or event that occurs, there is another place where the decision or the event went differently SPACE OPERA High adventure in space High adventure in space Used to be serialized in movies and pulp magazines popular in the first ½ of the century Used to be serialized in movies and pulp magazines popular in the first ½ of the century Hallmarks include encounters with beautiful women & bug-eyed monsters Hallmarks include encounters with beautiful women & bug-eyed monsters Flash Gordon is vintage space operaFlash Gordon is vintage space opera Star Trek™Star Trek™ Battle Star GalacticaBattle Star Galactica

Major themes in Sci Fi Mind Control Communication across time & space through technology, telepathy, or medical advances Communication across time & space through technology, telepathy, or medical advances Consider Feed & The Giver Consider Feed & The Giver Life in the Future Anthropological and sociological aspects of life Anthropological and sociological aspects of life Questions of individual commitment /ethical behavior Questions of individual commitment /ethical behavior Often, the result of aggression and competition in an overly crowded world Often, the result of aggression and competition in an overly crowded world

Major themes in Sci Fi Survival Both gloomy and hopeful views of the future Both gloomy and hopeful views of the future Post nuclear holocaust books Post nuclear holocaust books Louise Lawrence – Children of the DustLouise Lawrence – Children of the Dust Other catastrophic problems & events: Other catastrophic problems & events: OvercrowdingOvercrowding PollutionPollution Extinction of animal and plant lifeExtinction of animal and plant life Inadequate food supplyInadequate food supply

What Makes Good Science Fiction? Promotes new ways of looking at human consequences related to: industrialismindustrialism evolutionary theoryevolutionary theory relativityrelativity computerscomputers the big bangthe big bang human presence on the moonhuman presence on the moon the possibility of alien intelligencethe possibility of alien intelligence And on and on…And on and on…

Elements of Good Science Fiction Story world is detailed & believable within the context of the story Story world is detailed & believable within the context of the story Story events are imaginative, yet logically consistent within the story world Story events are imaginative, yet logically consistent within the story world Characters are multidimensional with consistent, logical behavior Characters are multidimensional with consistent, logical behavior Vivid images and solid, understandable structures Vivid images and solid, understandable structures Meaningful themes cause readers to think about life. Meaningful themes cause readers to think about life.

Good Science Fiction Will: 1. Make us consider the emotional, psychological and physical effects of futuristic ideas, conflicts, and change 2. Encourage us to keep an open mind 3. Provoke questions about other forms of life – and thereby bring our own into perspective

Good Science Fiction Will: 4. Stimulate curiosity and the capacity for invention 5. Present readers with moral and ethical dilemmas that correspond to the real world