Science+Fiction

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Description of the Genre
Science Fiction is also known as Speculative Fiction and explores the human condition by placing human beings in worlds that are different to ours. This includes all stories being set in the future, alternate world stories or those set in the historical past that contradict known facts, stories set on other worlds and stories that contradict the laws of nature such as time travel.

If the story is set in a universe that follows the same rules as ours, its Science fiction; it is about what could be, but isn’t. Whereas fantasy is about what couldn’t be, for example magic.

Several structures could be adopted in constructing a Science fiction story. The story could be character based and begin when the main character is so unhappy, impatient or angry in his present role that he begins the process of change. It ends when the character settles into his new role or gives up the struggle and remains in the old role; happily or not.

Alternatively the story could be event based. In this case something is wrong in the fabric of the universe; the world is out of order. The story starts when the character whose actions are most crucial to establishing the new order becomes involved in the struggle.

Science fiction stories can also be centred on an idea. The story begins with a question and ends when the question is answered. Readers need to connect with the characters before caring about saving the world of the story.

Text 1: //Uglies// by Scott Westerfeld pp 16 – 20
Read the excerpt from //Uglies// below and complete the following questions in your Reading Journal. Or make your responses more interesting by trying one of these online tools: 1. What do you think is happening in the extract?
 * Exercises**
 * a) Questions**
 * || [[image:voicethread_logo.jpg width="120" height="20" caption="Use text, images and audio!" link="@http://voicethread.com/"]] || [[image:glogster_logo.jpg width="134" height="36" caption="Present your responses as an online poster." link="@http://www.glogster.com/"]] || [[image:prezi.jpg width="98" height="45" caption="Create a dynamic presentation with Prezi!" link="@http://prezi.com/"]] || [[image:bubblus_logo.jpg width="159" height="27" caption="Present your responses in an online mindmap." link="@http://www.bubbl.us/index"]] || [[image:wallwisher_logo.jpg width="136" height="57" caption="Create a presentation with sticky notes, images and more!" link="@http://www.wallwisher.com/"]] ||

2. What do we learn about the characters in this extract from the following?
 * What they say?
 * How they are described

3. Peris has clearly 'evolved' since their last meeting and is now 'pretty'. These are words which usually have positive connotations. Do you think that the author has used these words to create a positive mood. Explain your answer.

4. Tally's contact reveals to her that he has undergone more than just a physical change. What clues are there about how he has changed? What clues exist that Tally has not 'evolved at the same rate?What hints do we have that there is a connection between them which is going to continue in the future ?

Respond to the following discussion. include component="comments" page="Science Fiction" limit="10"
 * b) Discussion**

Open the Word document below and use Track Changes to complete this activity by using the highlighting and comment tool.
 * c) Genre Features**

How many of these features appear in the story?
 * robots
 * androids
 * time travel
 * extra-terrestrials (ETs)
 * inventions
 * genetic engineering
 * post apocalyptic

Rewrite this meeting between Peris and Tally from Peris' perspective in several paragraphs, writing in the first person.
 * d) Creative Writing**
 * Length: 200 – 300 words**
 * Complete the activity below:**

Text 2: //Mortal Engines pp 3 – 4// by Philip Reeve
Complete the following questions in your Reading Journal. Or make your responses more interesting by trying one of the online tools listed above.
 * Exercises**
 * [[image:Mortal_Engines_.jpg width="144" height="221" align="right"]]a) Questions**


 * 1) What do the novel's title and chapter title suggest to the reader about the subject matter of the book? i.e. what might the book be about?
 * 2) What tells you that this is a different world from ours?
 * 3) London is described as being like an animal. How is this done and what does it tell you about what London has become?
 * 4) This passage contains a lot of long sentences which are broken up by commas. What do you think the writer has chosen to structure his sentences this way? What sort of rhythm and effect is being created and how might this connect to the subject matter being described?

Open the Word document below and use Track Changes to complete this activity by using the highlighting and comment tool.
 * b) Genre Features**

How many of these features appear in the story?
 * robots
 * androids
 * time travel
 * extra-terrestrials (ETs)
 * inventions
 * genetic engineering
 * post apocalyptic


 * c) Creative Writing**
 * Length: 200 – 300 words**
 * Complete the activity below:**

Choosing 3-4 features of the city in the extract above. Write a description of Melbourne where you imagine that it is a Traction City like the London of the story.

** Recommended Adventure Fiction **

 * [[image:feed.jpg width="62" height="116" caption="Feed by M.T. Anderson "]] || [[image:I_robot.jpg width="94" height="123" caption="I Robot by I Asimov"]] || [[image:genesis.jpg width="90" height="130" caption="Genesis by B Beckett "]] || [[image:Fahrenheit_451.jpg width="85" height="136" caption="Fahrenheit 451 by R Bradbury"]] || [[image:Ender's_Game.jpg width="91" height="129" caption="Ender’s Game by O S Card"]] || [[image:2001.jpg width="86" height="138" caption="2001, a space odyssey by A C Clarke"]] || [[image:Androids_Dream.jpg width="82" height="145" caption="Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by P K Dick"]] ||
 * [[image:nightpeople.jpg width="81" height="137" caption="Nightpeople by A Eaton"]] || [[image:brave_new_world.jpg width="80" height="145" caption="Brave New World by A Huxley"]] || [[image:1984.jpg width="84" height="137" caption="1984 by G Orwell"]] || [[image:Mortal_Engines_.jpg width="85" height="135" caption="Mortal Engines by P Reeve"]] || [[image:frankenstein.jpg width="74" height="155" caption="Frankenstein by M Shelley"]] || [[image:20,000_Leagues.jpg width="79" height="149" caption="20,000 Leagues under the Sea by J Verne"]] || [[image:time_machine.jpg width="80" height="149" caption="The Time Machine by H.G.Wells"]] ||
 * [[image:uglies.jpg width="95" height="126" caption="Uglies by S Westerfeld"]] || [[image:Leviathan.jpg width="80" height="146" caption="Leviathan by S Westerfeld"]] || [[image:Triffids.jpg width="83" height="144" caption="The Day of the Triffids by J Wyndham"]] ||  ||   ||   ||   ||