EAS SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY

Compiled by Ewana Yusop 2012

Compiled by Ewana Yusop 2012

Introduction What is Sci-Fiction? Look at these movie posters below. Based on what you can see can see from these posters and your knowledge on the movies (if any) can you determine the features of science fiction

Science-Fiction definition It's often said that Science Fiction is the literature of change. When a culture is undergoing a lot of changes due to scientific advances and technological developments, and expects to undergo more, it's hardly surprising if stories about these changes become popular as a way of expressing people's feelings (optimistic or otherwise) about change. Science fiction is a genre of fiction in which the stories often tell about science and technology of the future. It is important to note that science fiction has a relationship with the principles of sciencethese stories involve partially truepartially fictitious laws or theories of science. It should not be completely unbelievable, because it then ventures into the genre fantasy. The plot creates situations different from those of both the present day and the known past. Science fiction texts also include a human element, explaining what effect new discoveries, happenings and scientific developments will have on us in the future.

Themes/Conflicts Science fiction writers keep up with the latest news about what technology can do now. Then the writers imagine what the technology might do as it develops in the future. Will it make human life better? If so, how? Or will the technology have harmful, negative effects on our life on Earth? With a partner or group of classmates, read about the technologies in the first column. In the second and third columns, write about your ideas about a possible positive and possible negative result of each technology.

Technology of the future

Possible positive effect

Possible negative effect

Settings/Characterisation In groups, write the opening chapter of a novel called the City of the Future. In your writing create a sense of mystery and suspense (adapted from J11)

Write the opening to either a science fiction story or a historical novel. You should try to capture the style and atmosphere of your chosen genre. (N03) Choose one of the following: a story set in the future or one set in an imaginary world. Based on your choice, write the opening of a story which establishes a location and its atmosphere. (N04)

Practise writing: Themes and Plots Evolution Mechanical men Utopia/Dystopia Alternate history

Time travel Apocalypse Space travel Another world Cyber reality http://library.thinkquest.org/27502/explorer/main.html?tqskip1=1

Classic Sci-Fi books Hyperion, Dan Ender's Game, Orson Scott 1984, George Dune, Frank Ring World, Larry I, Robot, Isaac The Foundation series, Isaac Blood Music, Greg The Uplift War series, David A Fire upon the Deep, Vernor The Mote in God's Eye, Larry Niven & Jerry Neuromancer, William Gibson Simmons Card Orwell Herbert Niven Asimov Asimov Bear Brin Vinge Pournelle

Writing Sci-Fi (Setting and Characterisation)

Recap the elements that make up sci-fi

Creating a sci fi setting does not necessarily mean that you have to create an entirely alien setting. Remember one of our earlier theories of writing, familiarity breeds that sense of reality. Your task today is to take a short walk around school in your groups. Imagine that the year now is 2095, how will the school look like? What will stay the same and what will change? Remember to use sensory language in this exercise.