Science Fiction

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Science Fiction
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Science Fiction
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Definition

• It is hard to define because it overlaps with
  fantasy literature.
• Usually deals with the What ifs?
• Kathryn Cramer states that it investigates
  moral, philosophical and technological
  possibilities (conknet.com).
• Uses science or technology

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History of Science Fiction

• Precursors to science fiction can be seen all the
  way back to the 2nd century with Lucians True
  History. Some of the Arabian Nights stories will
  fall under Science Fiction.
• The 19th century saw the true emergence of
  Science Fiction with Jules Vernes stories like
  Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.
• Other famous Science Fiction stories include Mary
  Shelleys Frankenstein.

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History Continue

• The 20th century saw such great writers like
  Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke.
• 1966 was the start of Star Trek on TV.
• The 1970s saw Star Wars.

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Characteristics

• Technology (may be human made or alien)
• Can be
• New technology
• Time travel
• Robots
• New scientific principles
• Antagonist
• Can be beings or a force
• Can be societies rules
• Not necessarily human

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Characteristics Continued

• Can involve new types of social or political
  systems
• Setting
• Alternate locations (another planet, the ocean,
  dimensions, or time periods)
• Time periods can include alternate realities. EX
  Germany won World War II.
• Storyline
• Kathryn Cramer states that it deals with moral,
  social, philosophical, technical and intellectual
  issues and/or questions (conknet.com).

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Two important elements in all Science Fiction

• Dissociation
• David Louis Edelman states that, every science
  fiction story has some element that is profoundly
  alien to the reality of its intended audience
  (deepgenre.com).
• Scientific Progress
• New weapons
• New medical technology
• Flying cars

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• "Dystopias Definition and Characteristics." Read
  Write Think. NCTE, n.d. Web. 14 Jan 2014.
  lthttp//www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/
• lesson_images/lesson926/DefinitionCharacteristics
  .pdfgt.
• Mallory, Jeff. "Dystopia." Gordon State. Gordon
  State. Web. 14 Jan 2014. lthttp//www.gordonstate.
  edu/pt_faculty/jmallory/index_files/page0082. htmgt
  .
• "Utopia." Learning Dreamers and Dissenters. The
  British Library Board. Web. 14 Jan 2014.
  lthttp//www.bl.uk/learning/histcitizen/2
  1cc/utopia/utopia.htmlgt.