Transcript Slide 1

What Is
Science Fiction?
What is Science Fiction?
Science fiction is a writing style which
combines science and fiction.
It is restricted by what we presently
know as the basic physical laws of
nature.
It evolved as a response to fantasy.
Sci-Fi Author’s Definitions
Theodore Sturgeon, author:
"'A good science-fiction story is a story
about human beings, with a human
problem, and a human solution,
which would not have happened at
all without its science content'"
Robert A. Heinlein, author:
Science fiction is "realistic speculation
about possible future events, based
solidly on adequate knowledge of the
real world, past and present, and on a
thorough understanding of the nature
and significance of the scientific
method"
The first true science fiction
novel was Frankenstein by
Mary Shelley.
She used a scientific rationale
to persuade the reader that
her story could actually be a
possibility. (It seems like it
could be real!)
Frankenstein was the first novel in
English to deal with the possibility that
science will create a monster that can
possibly destroy mankind.
Mary Shelley did not wish the story to
be considered "supernatural." She
made the main character a scientist and
his scientific efforts a focal point of the
reader's attention.
In mood the novel is a tale of terror, in
plot, it’s about a laboratory experiment
gone terribly wrong.
Remember: Writers take scientific
possibilities and develop them step-bystep from known data to form a story.
What is Extrapolation?
• Extrapolation is when a writer takes a
known scientific fact and imagines what
might happen if certain events or
circumstances evolve.
Ie: Man can build space shuttles.
Man can travel to
faraway planets.
Science Fiction VS. Fantasy
In Science Fiction, there needs to be some
possibility that the events could actually
happen.
In Fantasy, the author can use far-fetched
assumptions. ie; unicorns, three-legged
tripod creatures, talking dogs, vampires,
werewolves, magic, etc…
• A Handbook to Literature defines
science fiction as: "A form of
fantasy in which scientific facts,
assumptions, or hypotheses form
the basis, by logical extrapolation,
of adventures in the future, on
other planets, in other dimensions
in time, or under new variants of
scientific law" (Holman).
The same Handbook defines fantasy as
"a work which takes place in a
nonexistent and unreal world, such as
fairyland, or concerns incredible and
unreal characters. . . or employs
physical and scientific principles not yet
discovered or contrary to present
experience as in science fiction and
utopian fiction" (Holman).
Miriam Allen deFord explains the
difference more succinctly: "'Science
fiction deals with improbable
possibilities, fantasy with plausible
impossibilities" (Aldiss 26).
It is a common science fiction
convention that authors should not
contradict (go against) known scientific
fact (e.g., humans flying on their own
without the use of devices), but may do
what they wish with commonlyaccepted scientific theory (e.g., humans
flying to distant planets in a space
shuttle).
The author of fantasy does not feel such
restraints.
Major Themes in Science
Fiction
Space travel to and from other planets
(ex: Star Wars, Star Trek, Planet 51,
Wall-E, Avatar, Oblivion)
Time travel to the past and future
(ex: Back to the Future,The Time
Machine)
Psychological/biological changes to man
brought about by scientific changes
(ie: The Incredible Hulk, Fantastic 4,
Spider Man)
Supernormal powers/talents
(ie: Superman, Spiderman, Batman, XMen, Iron Man)
Science applied to human relations for
constructive or destructive purpose.
(ie: Weird Science—two nerds use
science to get girls to think they’re cute,
Iron Man, Wall-E, Elysium)
Battle with alien life forms
(ie: Signs, War of the Worlds, Avatar,
Oblivion, Alien)
Alternate Universe
(ie: Star Wars)
Plot Conventions of Science
Fiction
Examples of Story Ideas:
The Last Man/Woman on Earth
The Robot
The First Landing Story
Time Travel
The Alternate World
The Lost Civilization
The Alien Encounter
The Colonization of a New Planet
The End of the World
The Long Spaceship Voyage
The Computer
From the point of view of an alien
Sci Fi Movies Today
What are some famous recent
science fiction movies?
I, Robot, Transformers (any in the series), Real Steel,
Gravity, Star Wars, Star Trek (& Star Trek: Into Darkness),
After Earth, Super 8, Riddick, World War Z, Pacific Rim,
Spiderman, X-Men, Man of Steel, Fantastic 4, Batman
Begins/The Dark Knight/The Dark Knight Rises, Iron Man (1,
2, & 3), The Amazing Spiderman, Oblivion, Men in Black 1-3,
I Am Number 4, John Carter, Total Recall, Looper, Pacific
Rim, WALL-E, Cloverfield, Prometheus, Apollo 18, Signs,
Rise of the Planet of the Apes, War of the Worlds, Battle:
Los Angeles, Battleship, Cowboys & Aliens, The Hunger
Games Trilogy, I Am Legend, The Walking Dead (TV series)
Why should we study Science
Fiction?
Entertaining
Makes the audience wonder “What If?”
Encourages creativity in writing and roleplaying
Teaches lessons about the value and
dangers of advanced technology
Enhances imagination