Science fiction is a genre that combines elements of science and fiction. It uses scientific ideas, discoveries and theories to craft imaginative stories that could be possible based on what is currently known about science. Some key elements of science fiction include space travel, time travel, encounters with aliens, and how technology may change humanity. Notable early science fiction works include Frankenstein and novels by H.G. Wells. Science fiction expanded into film starting in the early 1900s and includes classics such as Metropolis, Blade Runner and the Star Wars franchise. Studying science fiction can encourage creativity and teach lessons about technology.

1. Science Fiction

2. What is Science Fiction?
Science fiction is a writing style which
combines science and fiction.
It is only limited by what we presently
know about the basic physical laws of
nature.
It evolved as a response to fantasy.

3. Sci Fi Author’s Definitions
The author Theodore Sturgeon
said,
"'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'"

4. Sam Moskowitz, fan and biographer:
"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"

5. The first true science fiction
novel was Frankenstein by
Mary Shelley.
She wrote about scientific
practices and tried to
persuade the reader that her
story could actually happen.

6. Frankenstein was the first novel in
English to deal with the possibility that
science can create a monster that can
destroy science, and possibly mankind.
Mary Shelley did not wish the story to
be considered "supernatural“. She
made the main character a scientist and
his scientific efforts were highlighted.

7. The mood of the novel is a tale of terror,
in plot a laboratory experiment gone
awry.
The blend of Gothic materials and
science in this novel brought the tale of
terror clearly into the stream of science
fiction and also gave it a more credible
base.
If not the first science fiction novel,
Frankenstein is at least the first novel
that showed what a science fiction novel
would be (James Gunn).

8. Remember: Writers take scientific
possibilities and develop them step-by-
step from known data to form a story.

9. What is Extrapolation?
Extrapolation is when a writer takes a
known scientific fact and imagines what
might happen if certain events or
circumstances evolve.
For example:
1. Man can build space shuttles.
2. Let’s imagine, man can travel to faraway planets.

10. Science Fiction VS. Fantasy
In Science Fiction, there needs to be
some possibility that the events could
possibly happen.
In Fantasy, the author can use far-fetched
assumptions. ie; unicorns, three-legged
creatures etc.

11. Miriam Allen de Ford explains the
difference between science fiction and
fantasy: "'Science fiction deals with
improbable possibilities, fantasy with
plausible impossibilities" (Aldiss 26).

12. Major Themes in Science
Fiction
Space travel to and from other planets
(ie: Star Wars, Star Trek)
Time travel to the past and future
(ie: Back to the Future)
Psychological/biological changes to
man brought about by scientific
changes
(ie: The Incredible Hulk, Spider Man)

13. Supernormal powers/talents
(ie: Superman, Spiderman, Batman)
Science applied to human relations for
constructive or destructive purposes
(ie: Weird Science, Frankenstein)
Battle with alien life forms
(ie: Signs, The Day the Earth Stood
Still, District 9)
Alternate Universe
(ie: Star Wars)

14. 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

15. 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

16. Sci Fi in the Movies
Even before talkies, science fiction
made its mark on film:
A Trip to the Moon (1902) by the
Frenchman Georges Melies
Metropolis (1926) by the German Fritz
Lang, the first classic science fiction film

17. In the 1930s several great classic films were
produced:
Frankenstein (1931), with Boris Karloff,
followed by endless sequels and remakes,
Invisible Man (1933), starring Claude Rains,
from the novel by H.G. Wells
Things to Come (1936) from the screenplay
by H.G. Wells and based on his novel The
Shape of Things to Come. This is the first
great sound picture in the field and the first
film to show a utopian future that includes the
promise of space flight.
Two prominent serials of the era are Flash
Gordon (1936) and Buck Rogers (1939).

18. HE FIFTIES B
An estimated 500 feature films and shorts that can be
classified science fiction were made between 1948
and 1962.
Science fiction really became a popular cinematic
genre after the atomic bomb was dropped on
Hiroshima. This event prompted a rash of after-the-
bomb and alien invasion films.
1950sDestination Moon (1950), is a
pseudodocumentary based on Robert A. Heinlein's
juvenile novel Rocketship Galileo.
The Thing (1951), based on John W. Campbell's
short story "Who Goes There?," features James
Arness as a fearsome, defrosted alien carrot; the film
was remade in 1982.

19. Sci Fi Movies in the ’60’s
Also in 1960 came The Time Machine,
starring Rod Taylor, from the novel by H. G.
Wells.
Stanley Kramer made another foray into
science fiction in 1964 with Dr. Strangelove;
Love the Bomb. This dark comedic satire of
nuclear war features Peter Sellars.
Fahrenheit 451 (1966) stars Oskar Werner in
François Truffaut's film of the Ray Bradbury
novel.

20. Sci Fi Movies in the 70’s
In 1977 the debut of Star Wars sparked a
revitalization of science fiction.
Due to the huge success of this film, the market for
and interest in science fiction as film and as literature
skyrocketed into the stratosphere again, rejuvenating
and expanding the entire field.
Star Wars (1977), The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
and Return of the Jedi (1983) comprise the middle
trilogy of a projected three-trilogy cycle of films by
George Lucas. In the 2000’s, Lucas revisited
his successful series with 2 other

21. Movies in the 80’s
Batman (1989) is a stylish telling of the story of the
Caped Crusader (Michael Keaton); unfortunately
Jack Nicholson dominated as The Joker.
The sequel Batman Returns is memorable for
appearances by the Penquin (Danny DeVito) and
Catwoman (Michelle Pfeiffer).
Batman Forever features a new Caped Crusader
(Val Kilmer), the debut of sidekick Robin and villains
played by Tommy Lee Jones and Jim Carrey.
Batman and Robin (1997) stars George Clooney as
Batman, Arnold Schwarzenegger as Mr. Freeze, and
Uma Thurman as Poison Ivy. Alicia Silverstone
debuts as Batgirl.

22. Blade Runner (1982) is Ridley Scott's stylish film of
Philip K. Dick's novel, Do Androids Dream of
Electric Sheep? A director's cut (1992) clarified the
nature of the film's major character.
The Road Warrior (1982) is the second and best of
the Mad Max films about a post-nuclear-holocaust
world.
E.T., the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), another
blockbuster from Steven Spielberg, was reissued with
new footage for its 20th anniversary in 2002.
The Terminator (1984) is a James Cameron film
featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger as a killing
machine of the future; the sequel Terminator 2
(1991) picks up where the first film left off. A third
film, T3: Rise of the Machines, was released in
2003.

23. Sci Fi Movies in the 90’s
Total Recall (1990), another
Schwarzenegger vehicle, is loosely based on
Philip K. Dick's short story, "We Can
Remember It For You Wholesale."
Edward Scissorhands (1993) is a
Frankenstein take-off.
Timecop (1994) became a television series
as did Stargate (1994).
Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (1994) was
directed by and stars Kenneth Branaugh as
Victor. Robert de Niro plays the Monster.
Independence Day (1996), a wildly-patriotic
film, also turned out to be eerily prophetic in
the wake of 9/11.

24. Several major films came out in 1997:
Men in Black
Contact, based on a novel by Carl
Sagan
Starship Troopers, based on the novel
by Robert A. Heinlein.
Face/Off, a fantasy thriller about stolen
identities directed by John Woo

25. Sci Fi Movies Today
What are some famous science fiction movies
in this decade?
Matrix, Matrix Reloaded, Matrix Revolutions
New Star Wars Trilogy
Spiderman
Men in Black 1&2
X-Men
Planet of the Apes
Resident Evil
I, Robot
Avatar
War of the Worlds

26. Why should we study Science
Fiction?
Entertaining
Makes the audience wonder “What If?”
Encourages creativity in writing and role-
playing
Introduces students to a new literary genre
Teaches lessons about the value and
dangers of advanced technology
Enhances imagination