1. Science Fiction Unit
Ian Yule

2. What is Science Fiction?
Science Fiction is writing set in an imaginary future. A key feature of science fiction is technology. Sometimes we are in conflict with it, sometimes we need it to rescue us.

3. Science Fiction Settings
Sometimes Earth – but in the future (time travel)
Sometimes other planets – alien environments
Spacecrafts (journeys are often important themes)

4. Science Fiction Characters
Hero is usually human
Enemy is often alien
Sometimes the characters are examples of futuristic technology eg robots – yet you can end up having relationships with and emotional feelings for the technology

5. Friendly or Unfriendly?

6. Technology Time machines Advanced Weapons
Advanced Engines (warp speed)
Advanced Artificial Intelligence
Space travel
Surveillance (Big Brother)

7. Themes
A ‘Dystopian’ society – people are being repressed and controlled. Often a government is using technology to bend people to its will. These are often portrayed as police states with unlimited powers over its citizens.

8. Themes 2
Apocalyptic vision – mankind has lost control and is destroying itself. Sometimes technology is out of control (ecological disasters – The Day the Earth stood Still, The Core). Sometimes technology is needed to bring order back (eg Robocop, Deep Impact, Armageddon).

10. In this unit … Learn the ‘Genre Markers’ of Science Fiction
Look at some extracts from Science Fiction books and short stories (we will improve Close Reading skills whilst doing this)
Watch several extracts from Science Fiction films and TV series
Attempt to write imaginatively our own science fiction story or scene