AN INTRODUCTION.
The term “Science Fiction” is actually an oxymoron. The
word science implies that which is true and provable,
while fiction is that which is false or made up.
Let’s look at two other definitions to start:
1.
Mainstream Fiction- story is made-up, but it is based
on fact or trends that indicate it could happen in the
future.
2.
Speculative Fiction- story is made-up, but the
difference is the events or characters have some break
with reality as we know it. The story could probably
never really happen.
Which category do you think science fiction falls under?
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Though rooted in the unknown, science fiction
is tied very closely to the real world.
It provides us with new ways of viewing
ourselves and the world around us – still about
people, human nature, etc. just like all fiction.
It is not necessarily about the future or
predicting the future, but rather, about the
possibility of a future or other world
alternative and about exploring the “what ifs”
based on present-day events.
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Science Fiction is often
confused with Fantasy: stories
that set aside reality.
Science Fiction is not exactly
realistic, and both Sci-Fi +
Fantasy can have monsters,
larger than life characters, etc.,
so it is easy to see why the two
genres get confused.
Helpful ways to distinguish
the two:
Fantasy has MAGIC. Sci-Fi
does not (usually).
 Sci-Fi has an emphasis on
science, technology, etc.
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Is Star Wars Sci-Fi or
Fantasy?
Let the Debate begin!
Sometimes, a story might
contain a “sci fi”- like
element, yet it falls
under a different
genre.
Several of these types
would be: fantasy,
horror and mythology.
Consider the movie Alien
which clearly has both
science fiction AND
horror elements.
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Science fiction is a
writing style which
combines science and
fiction.
It is constrained by
what we presently
regard as the basic
physical laws of nature.
It evolved as a response
to fantasy.
"A good sciencefiction 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."
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."
"Science fiction is a brand
of fantasy identifiable
by the fact that it
eases the 'willing
suspension of disbelief'
on the part of its
readers by utilizing an
atmosphere of
scientific credibility for
its imaginative
speculations in
physical science,
space, time, social
science, and
philosophy."
Mary Shelley:
Frankenstein (1818) was
considered highly
influential in its
creativity. It wasn’t
read as SF but as a
Gothic romance that
included a morality tale.
The Industrial Revolution:
(1775) is often named as
an influence on the
early development of SF
as society became more
technologically
oriented. It was natural
for writers to think
about the effects of
scientific advances on
human society as
society rapidly changed.
To observe
society and
prepare us for
the results of
science and
technology.
To help us
consider the
consequences
of our actions.
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To increase students’
familiarity with works,
authors, themes, and
literary techniques of
the genre.
To increase the
students’ ability to
accurately speculate
about the future of
humanity and society.
To learn bits of “true
science” and apply
them to fiction or
theory.

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To discuss examples of
science fiction with
focus on social
commentary.
To discuss and analyze
concepts of human
nature as presented in
science fiction stories.
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Reaching beyond the
bounds of time and
space
Fantasy and escape
Exotic lands
Superhero vs.
Supervillian
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Defining man’s role in
the universe
Philosophy and
religion
New technology and
its effect on mankind
Time Travel and
alternate realities.
 Aliens, space
travel, other
worlds.
 Human
potential/powers.
 Visions of the
future.
 Write a STORY!

Frankenstein:
 Read and
annotate.
 Write a
paper.
 Genetic
engineering
debate.
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Reading Circles and Research:
Science VS Fiction
 Ender’s
Game + Space/aliens.
 Time Traveler’s Wife + Time travel.
 The Demolished Man + Super Powers.
 Brave New World + The future.
 I, Robot & Caves of Steel + Robots/ A.I.
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Robot Stories:

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Robots are good?
Robots are bad?
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Hard Science Fiction
Soft Science Fiction
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Dystopia-stories in
which the society is
dominated by
negative factors
Utopia-stories in
which society’s
problems have, for the
most part, been cured
and daily life is
perfect. (or is it?)
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Takes place in one of
the “hard” or physical
sciences-chemistry,
biology, astronomy,
physics, math, etc. and
the technology that
comes from them.
Assumes an orderly
universe with regular,
discoverable laws.
There are 3 main
categories of Hard
Science Fiction. They
are…..
1.
2.
3.
Gadget- How a
machine or set of
machines work OR the
development of a
machine or other
technological device.
Extrapolative- Takes
current knowledge and
logically projects what
the next steps might be
or applies it in a new or
different context.
Speculative- Takes
Extrapolative stories
one step further, but
the logic of this
progression is not
always easy.

1.
2.
3.
There are three basic concepts behind soft Science
Fiction. They are….
It is based on the soft sciences such as sociology,
psychology, anthropology, theology, and political
science.
These sciences are not as accepted as being capable of
prediction as physical science.
The focus is on human activity and relationships.
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Soft sci-fi means that although the story is set
in a “science fiction” world (the future, space,
aliens instead of humans, etc.) that the story is
STILL about humanity (even if the characters
are not, in fact, human).
Without these “soft” elements, science fiction
stories would just be about technology =
boring. Stories NEED to be about people to
have any weight or importance (not to mention
a theme or point).
Quick Examples: Star Wars, Avatar, etc.
What would happen if
humans stopped being
able to conceive
children? How would
this impact the aging
population? Would
there be any reason to
go on? Would there be
any purpose in . . .
Anything?
This film explores how an
event would affect our
psychology & sociology,
while being set in the
future.
On a scale.
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Stories in this class will have
BOTH hard and soft sci-fi
elements.
No story is 100% hard or soft.
If so, it would either be about
technology and very boring,
or be a normal fiction story
with no science element at all.
Rate stories on a scale!
SOFT
HARD
I----------------.-----------------I
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Where would you put Avatar
on this scale? The Matrix?
The Dark Knight?
1) Science Fiction is
concerned with
the effects of
change on human
beings.
2) We live in an
orderly universe
where the causes for
change can be
discovered and
explained.
Science Fiction has been a
part of literature since at
least 1818, and it has been
a popular form of
entertainment and
enlightenment for over a
century.
There are hundreds of science
fiction titles produced
each year in the U.S.
alone, and book sales are
increasing nationwide.
The number of movies, TV
shows, comics and
computer games that are
aimed at a science fiction
audience are growing
every year as well.
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Mary Shelly
Jules Verne
Isaac Asimov
George Orwell
H.G. Wells
Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.
Ray Bradbury
Michael Crichton
Aldous Huxley
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Orson Scott Card
Philip K. Dick
Robert Heinlein
Ambrose Bierce
Harry Turtledove
Harlan Ellison
David Weber
Terry Bisson
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Since this is the information age, people are
searching for solutions to help them cope with a
rapidly changing world.
It is becoming harder to know what to believe and
what not to believe. Things are changing so fast!
WE MUST BE CAREFUL WHAT WE BELIEVE!
FACTS are way too subjective and easy to
manipulate! The “Facts” can change each day!
THEREFORE: We must use care and consideration
when conducting research!
There are no easy
solutions to the
complexities of life,
and most science
fiction stories do not
offer an answer but
merely a vision.
How we choose to use
those glimpses into
possible futures is
up to us.