What are the different sub-categories of science fiction and how do they differ? How does this relate to the future? Hard science fiction- plots and characters revolve mostly around technology, rather than only having technology in the setting or backdrop of the story (“The Various Types of Science Fiction”)- could happen in the future because technology is constantly advancing Soft science fiction- rather than focusing on technology itself, books in this category focus on the effects of technology on a culture. Change in these books is seen more in philosophy, psychology, and sociology than in technology. (“The Various Types of Science Fiction”) ex. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury- deals with moral issues; could happen in the future depending on what the storyline Alternate Histories and Parallel Universe- how would things be if… had happened differently? Plots revolve around the idea that a historical event happened differently than it actually did. Ex. What if Hitler had taken control of the world? (Rector)- won’t happen in the future because the plot surrounds a past event Time Travel- explores the wonder of traveling into the past or future (Rector)- could only happen if time travel became possible Utopia or Dystopia- plots and characters exist within either perfect worlds or warped worlds and societies (Rector)- could predict how events can impact people and a society, but subject to interpretation because everyone has different ideas of prefection

What is the difference between science fiction and fantasy? Which one is more likely to hold truth about the future? Science fiction deals with things that are possible, fantasy deals with the impossible (Franklin) Science Fiction “ranges from the present Earth we know out to the limits of the possible universes that the human imagination can project, whether in the past, present, future, or alternative time-space continuums.” (Franklin) Fantasy many times includes magical elements or expansion upon pre- existing myths or historical events (Goldschlager) Science fiction is more likely to hold truths because the technology introduced and events in the plot are within possibility and are realistic Many times, science fiction is a warning, prediction, or a call to action based on events of that time period or changes in society– writing is a way to express, so many times concerns about the future are found in science fiction works

Are there any specific examples from the past of science fiction books predicting the future? Is there technology in current science fiction books that could be seen in the future? The World Set Free by H.G. Wells (1914) references atomic bombs (not used until 1945) and the sustained atomic reaction, and also speaks of ruined lands where the atomic bomb was dropped which is today known as a radioactive wasteland (“Science Fiction Timeline of Inventions”) The Cometeers by Jack Williamson (1936) references a device that tracks movements so that you don’t get lost, which is like today’s GPS, invented in 1973 (Paluri); (“Science Fiction Timeline of Inventions”) The Sleeper Awakes by H.G. Wells (1899) includes an automatic door. The first automatic door wasn’t installed until 1960 (Rutherford) There is technology seen in modern day science fiction books that could be promising in the future, but only time will tell if these fantasized inventions will come to life in the real world.

How do science fiction authors hook and hold their readers? Is there any relation between tricks used and the future? Xenophilia- an attraction to foreign things such as extraterrestrials, new cultures, people, or things that are strange and unknown (“Adult Reading Round Table Boot Camp Sci Fi.”)– people like the unknown, and what’s more unknown than the future? Play with the readers’ emotions; alternate between hope and fear (Allen)– everyone has hopes and expectations about the future, as well as fears and apprehension so this tip helps readers get immersed in the story and possible outcomes Create suspense; give enough information to allow the reader to make predictions but not enough that it gives away the end (Allen)– based on what is going on today, people can predict the future but not accurately enough to know exactly how things will go… ex. how the Earth will end; many hypotheses’ based on technological advances and scientific discoveries, but no definite answers (Wagenseil)

Works Cited "Adult Reading Round Table Boot Camp Sci Fi." Adult Reading Round Table Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 May Allen, Mike. "Category: Writing Technique." SFWA. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 May Franklin, H. Bruce. "Science Fiction: The Early History." Rutgers-Newark: The State University of New Jersey. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 May Goldschlager, Amy. "The SF Site: Science Fiction & Fantasy -- A Genre With Many Faces." The SF Site: The Best in Science Fiction and Fantasy. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 May Paluri, Ravi Kumar. "Global Positioning System (GPS)." Buzzle Web Portal: Intelligent Life on the Web. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 May Rector, Andy. "So You'd Like to...." Explore the Different Types of Science Fiction. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 May Rutherford, Adam. " From fantasy to reality: how science fiction has influenced technology | LG Talking Technology | guardian.co.uk." Latest news, comment and reviews from the Guardian| guardian.co.uk. N.p., 8 Oct Web. 31 May "Science Fiction Timeline of Inventions." Inventions and Ideas from Science Fiction Books and Movies at Technovelgy.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 May "The Various Types of Science Fiction." Welcome — Arts at Michigan. N.p., 28 Feb Web. 31 May Wagenseil, Paul. "Five Ways the World Can End." Fox News. N.p., 23 Mar Web. 20 May