Elements of Science Fiction & Fantasy

Science Fiction Science Fiction is made up of stories that blend fact and fiction with futuristic technology.

Elements of Science Fiction Visionary future scenarios, faraway place in distant past or future. Descriptions related to future and scientific speculation. May be on another planet, under the oceans or even another dimension of existence. Setting:

Elements of Science Fiction Protagonist/antagonist Hero/anti-hero (villain), Dynamic (changing)/static (consistent), Creator/destroyer May be based on scientific speculation (prediction) Characters:

Elements of Science Fiction Hypothetical (what if) ideas based on predictions from scientific developments Adventure/space exploration High tech, artificial intelligence, virtual reality Life threatening cataclysmic disasters Bioengineering (using principles of engineering to solve medical problems) and immorality Space flight or epic journeys Earth’s children or building/creating other worlds Journeys through space and time, aliens, parallel worlds and alternate histories Different types of societies and structure Characteristics:

Fantasy Fantasy is fiction that has elements that are not real. Sometimes this includes talking animals or characters with magical powers. There’s usually a conflict between good and evil.

Elements of Fantasy Place is imaginary or another world or universe. Time can be anytime. Time travel is possible. Setting:

Elements of Fantasy Animals take on human characteristics (personification). Characters can have special powers. Characters:

Elements of Fantasy supernatural occurrences characters with magical powers things with magical powers animals with human characteristics things with human characteristics real people in fantastic places fantastic creatures or characters in real situations Characteristics:

Comparing Science Fiction & Fantasy Elements of Fantasy Setting is in the past, present, or future Setting can be imaginary, enchanted, or other worldly setting Problem might be solved with magic Major events could not happen Struggle between good and evil Realistic main character experiences fantastic places, time periods, problems, and events Elements of Science Fiction Setting is important to the story and believable to the last detail Setting is on earth or some where scientists think might exist Major events are scientifically possible Action and/or adventure Problem can be solved using science, future possibilities, or have a message with moral implications

Examples of Fantasy

Examples of Science Fiction

Discovery Education Videos Elements of Fantasy Writing Science Fiction