INTRODUCTION

TO SCIENCE FICTION
IN SCIENCE FICTION, WE DREAM!
-RAY BRADBURY

WHAT IS SCIENCE FICTION?

Science Fiction is a genre of writing that combines fiction and
science to create a unique and interesting story.

Its a very creative writing style that has very few limitations,
allowing both writer and reader to explore questions and ideas
that cover a wide variety of subjects.

Science Fiction has been called the literature of ideas and at

its best tries to provide answers to questions concerning
humanity. For example, Where are we going? and How will
we get there?

Science Fiction has become an incredibly popular

form of writing over the last hundred years because it
allows an author to use their imaginations to create a
story set outside of our reality. While science remains
important, the best Sci-Fi writing still has a human
element that drives the story. The science content within
the story is meant to add to the setting or plot but not
overshadow the emotions of the characters.

 The science element of Sci-Fi is necessary and

important because if its absent the story is
completely unbelievable and what you have is a
Fantasy.
TODAYS SCIENCE FICTION IS TOMORROWS
SCIENCE FACT!
-ISAAC ASIMOV

WHY IS SCIENCE FICTION SO POPULAR?

It seems like everywhere you go these days you find

more and more Science Fiction. Movies, videogames,
television shows and books are being produced at a
remarkable rate considering just how young a genre it is.
One of the major reasons it has become so incredibly
popular is because many Sci-Fi themes deal with
technology and the future of humanity. It fascinates us
to think of where we are headed, how we will get there,
and what it will look like when we do. Science Fiction is
limited only by a writers imagination and creativity, so
the possibilities within this exciting new genre are truly

A BRIEF (I PROMISE) HISTORY OF

SCIENCE FICTION
As I said earlier Science Fiction is a young genre of writing (200
years).

Most experts believe Mary Shellys Frankenstein was the first

real work of modern Science Fiction. First written in 1818, its the
story of a mad scientist who uses a machine to bring a body
back to life. It became popular partly because electricity was a
very new discovery in the early 1800s, and to many its abilities
seemed supernatural so why couldnt it revive the dead?

HISTORY OF SCIENCE FICTION

As technology advanced so did Science Fiction. Other

early Sci-Fi writers include:
Jules Verne (20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Around
the World in Eighty Days, Journey to the Center of the
Earth)
H.G. Wells (The Time Machine, The Island of Doctor
Moreau, The Invisible Man, The War of The Worlds)

THEMES OF SCIENCE FICTION

Our hunger for Science Fiction has only grown, and
over the last hundred years countless stories have
been written and told. Who knows? Some of them
may even be a few of your favorites!

Before we take a look at them, sit back and see if

you can think of some on your own

THEMES OF SCIENCE FICTION

Space travel to and from other planets
(Star Wars, Star Trek)

Time travel to the past and future

(Back to the Future)

Psychological/biological changes to man brought about

by scientific changes
(The Incredible Hulk, Spider Man)

Man vs Machine
(Matrix, Terminator)

THEMES OF SCIENCE
FICTION
Supernormal powers/talents
(Superman, Spiderman, Batman)

Science applied to human relations for

constructive or destructive purposes
(Weird Science, Frankenstein, Jurassic Park)

Battle with alien life forms

( Signs, District 9, Avatar)

Alternate Universe
( Star Wars)

EXAMPLES OF SCI-FI STORY IDEAS:

The Last Man/Woman on Earth
The Robot
The First Landing Story
Time Travel
The Alternate World
The Lost Civilizations

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

WHY SHOULD WE STUDY

SCIENCE FICTION?
Entertainment
It makes the audience wonder What If?
encourages creativity in writing and roleplaying

Introduces students to a new literary genre

Teaches lessons about the value and
dangers of advanced technology

Enhances imagination
Creates interest in the future of humanity

CONCLUSION

Science Fiction may be a young genre but as we have seen it is an

important one and only getting more popular. One interesting thing
about Sci-Fi is that much of the technology we take for granted today
comes from ideas first introduced in Science Fiction novels. Engineers
and inventors need inspiration as much as anyone and what better
place to look for the gadgets and gizmos of tomorrow then in the pages
of a Science Fiction novel!
-Mr. Clark