Elements of Science Fiction
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Transcript Elements of Science Fiction
Elements of Science Fiction
What is
Science Fiction
A writing style that combines science and fiction
Theodore Sturgeon, Science Fiction author, (he even wrote episodes
of Star Trek) defines Science Fiction as “ a story about human beings,
with a human problem and a human solution which would not have
happened at all without it’s scientific content.”
Science fiction stories all contain the following elements:
Time or Space
Possibility of the event happening
Affect on humans
Advanced Technology
Science Fiction vs. Fantasy
In Science Fiction, there needs to be some possibility that the events
could possibly happen.
In Fantasy, the author can use far fetched assumptions and does not
concern themselves with whether or not the events could possibly
happen.
More Elements of
Science Fiction
Realistic and fantastic details
Grounded in science
Usually set in the future
Unknown inventions
Makes a serious comment about the world
Often contains a warning for humankind
Science Fiction Settings
Another planet
Under the oceans
Another dimension of existence
May be a utopia or dystopia
May be in the future
May time travel to the past (or future)
May take place in present, but alternate reality
Science Fiction Characters
Protagonist (Hero)
Antagonist (Villian)
These characters may be a being (human or
other) or may be a force
Protagonist or Antagonist may be a society’s
laws, a disease or other problem, technology, etc.
Creatures, robots, aliens, etc.
Science is Important to the
Story
Advanced technology
Genetics
Disease
Exploration
Special powers or senses as a result of science
Science can be the savior or the root of the
problem
Message or Warning for
Humans
Science Fiction stories often contain a message
or warning
You may want to consider the message
BEFORE you begin planning your story. We
will discuss this in more detail next week!