1. Watch this… What do you notice? this

2. Science Fiction What’s the same? Sci-Fi is still a story that follows the traditional plot map

3. Sci-fi Think “Man made” Spaceships, lasers, scientists, outer space, robots, etc. Fantasy Think “Supernatural” Warriors, dragons, swords, wizards, castles, ogres, etc.

4. How to Identify Sci-Fi Other-worldly character (i.e. an alien, a robot) Extra-terrestrial setting (i.e. Mars, a far-off galaxy) Futuristic technology (i.e. teleportation, time travel)

5. Characters Sometimes Sci-Fi stories have humans as we know them Sometimes the humans are different because of some genetic or technological advance This guy looks human, right? This guy looks human, right? Sometimes the characters aren’t humans at all – think aliens and robots How is this Character Sci-Fi? How is this Character Sci-Fi?

6. Setting – Time and Place Tells stories about settings affected by developments in science and technology Events of the story take place in the future What Makes This Setting Sci-Fi? What Makes This Setting Sci-Fi? Can be set on Earth, in outer space, or on another real or made up planet What Makes This Setting Sci-Fi? What Makes This Setting Sci-Fi?

7. The “Sci” Part of Sci-Fi There is enough truth to make it POSSIBLE How is This Scenario Believable? How is This Scenario Believable?

8. The “Sci” Part of Sci-Fi These writers take current scientific truths and stretch or push them – sometimes one step farther, sometimes changing them completely What similarities do you see between thisthis and this? this Keep in mind, when that movie came out, this was the most advanced video game technology anyone had seen:

9. Purpose of Sci-Fi Part of the purpose is entertainment - fiction Science Fiction authors often use their stories to comment on humanity Where we’ll end up if we keep on the trajectory (path) we’re on – whether good or bad Negative issues like fears and prejudices can often be discussed more easily in sci-fi because it doesn’t seem like “us” What bigger issues is this sci-fi story addressing? What bigger issues is this sci-fi story addressing?