Science Fiction Short, short Story Writing

Content & Language Objectives  Write a short, short story in a science fiction genre.  No longer than 2 pgs., double-spaced, typed, Times New Roman font.  Follow the conventions of a short story.  Due next Tuesday. Rubric to follow.

Plot Diagram  Remember this?  Your short, short story should follow the same conventions of exposition (setting, characters), conflict, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution.

Science Fiction Genre  Elements:  Different society from our own due to  Major changes in science theory and/or technology (time travel, aliens, artificial intelligence, ‘doomsday’ scenarios, etc.) (time travel, aliens, artificial intelligence, ‘doomsday’ scenarios, etc.)  Asks the “What if…” kinds of questions  Explores moral, social, technological dilemmas about how changes in technology affect humans.

Ideas 6 & 1 Traits  Think of the short stories we’ve read in class.  “Harrison Bergeron”  “Searching for Summer”  Other sci-fi stories and movies

Brainstorm Ideas Setting  Time: How far in the future? How far in the future? Or the past? Or the past? Time of day? Time of day? What is the weather like? What is the weather like?  Mood: What type of mood & tone will you create? What type of mood & tone will you create?  Place:  Traditional ‘earth-like’ settings Cities Natural landscapes  Outer Space  Different Dimension  Can you think of anything else?

Settings

Setting traditional or futuristic outdoors or indoors

Setting  Natural landscapes are often used in sci-fi settings.

Setting  As the backdrop for futuristic ideas… “YOU MANIACS! YOU BLEW IT UP! OH, DAMN YOU! DAMN YOU ALL TO HELL!”

Setting Freewrite  Think of a setting for your sci-fi story. Freewrite a description. What does it look, sound, feel, smell like? What does it look, sound, feel, smell like? What kinds of events could take place in it? What kinds of events could take place in it? Why is this setting important in your story? Why is this setting important in your story?

Characters  Characterization What will they look like? Their personality? (physical and character traits) What will they look like? Their personality? (physical and character traits) Good guy, bad guy, or both? Good guy, bad guy, or both? What will they do that keeps the plot moving? (actions) What will they do that keeps the plot moving? (actions) What will they think or say that reveals something about their character. What will they think or say that reveals something about their character. What do they believe in? What do they believe in?

Character change Are they static or dynamic? Are they static or dynamic? Is there a lesson they will take away with them at the end of the story? Is there a lesson they will take away with them at the end of the story?

Character Freewrite  Using the same setting you just wrote about, add in a character that fits that setting. What does your character look like? What does your character look like? What are his/her special talents? What are his/her special talents? What does s/he believe in? What does s/he believe in? What is s/he pursuing? An actual object or a concept (love, truth, freedom, etc.) What is s/he pursuing? An actual object or a concept (love, truth, freedom, etc.)

Character Motivation & Conflict  What motivates your character? What does s/he want? (Motivation)  What stands in his/her way? (Conflict)

Character Motivation  Character Motivation and Conflict drive the plot of the story.  What do you think these characters are pursuing... or running from?

Character Motivation & Conflict  Study this picture. What do you think this character is doing?  What is he thinking?  What is he after and why?  How did he get here?  Discuss and write.

Climax, Falling Action, Resolution  How is the character’s problem solved? Does it involve… A loud, angry, often violent action or A loud, angry, often violent action or Does it end in a more subdued way? Does it end in a more subdued way?

The End  That is the climax and resolution.

Sci-Fi Movie References  Aliens  Aliens vs. Predator  Avatar  Blade Runner  Dark City  District 9  Dune  Gattaca  The Matrix  Pitch Black  Planet of the Apes  Soylent Green  Star Trek  Sunshine  The Terminator