Elements of Elements of Science FictionScience Fiction

Advanced TechnologyAdvanced Technology Robots and Androids- Robots and Androids- “Data”, “C3PO”“Data”, “C3PO” Mutants and Zombies- Mutants and Zombies- X- Men, I am LegendX- Men, I am Legend Ray Guns - Ray Guns - Star TrekStar Trek Teleportation Devices - Teleportation Devices - Star TrekStar Trek (A hypothetical (A hypothetical

method of transportation in which matter or information is method of transportation in which matter or information is dematerialized, usually instantaneously, at one point and dematerialized, usually instantaneously, at one point and recreated at another.)recreated at another.)

Space Ships- Space Ships- Star Wars, SerenityStar Wars, Serenity

Futuristic SettingFuturistic Setting Outer spaceOuter space Subterranean earthSubterranean earth Post-Apocalyptic-Post-Apocalyptic- Following a large-scale disaster in which Following a large-scale disaster in which

civilization has been destroyed or has regressed to a more civilization has been destroyed or has regressed to a more primitive level; (of a story) having such a setting.primitive level; (of a story) having such a setting.Alternate Timelines/ Parallel UniverseAlternate Timelines/ Parallel Universe

Space TravelSpace Travel Time Travel-Time Travel- Traveling from one time period to another. Traveling from one time period to another. WormholesWormholes-- shortcut connection between the two distinct regions shortcut connection between the two distinct regions

of space-time.of space-time. Faster-than-light Speed-Faster-than-light Speed- arriving at a destination faster arriving at a destination faster

than a beam of light traveling the same distancethan a beam of light traveling the same distance Aliens-Aliens- A being from another planet.A being from another planet. Paranormal Abilities- Paranormal Abilities- an ability to perceive information an ability to perceive information

hidden from the normal senses hidden from the normal senses

Themes in Science FictionThemes in Science FictionUnexplained Phenomena-Unexplained Phenomena-

Stories featuring UFO’s, pyramid power, Stories featuring UFO’s, pyramid power, paranormal abilities, telekinesis, ESP, and paranormal abilities, telekinesis, ESP, and other psychic possibilities and how those other psychic possibilities and how those talents affect humans. (talents affect humans. (Super 8, Super 8, Independence DayIndependence Day))

Telekinesis- The ability to move an object with the power of one's thoughts. (The Fire Starter)

Self- KnowledgeSelf- Knowledge-- Stories emphasizing the ability to know and accept Stories emphasizing the ability to know and accept

our humanity. May include situations challenging our humanity. May include situations challenging gender identities or other preconceived notions. gender identities or other preconceived notions. ((X-Men, Speaker for the Dead.)X-Men, Speaker for the Dead.)

The Individual versus Society- Tales where the society has certain guidelines for compatible living, but situations occur that the rules don’t cover. A strong individual accomplishes daring feats and sometimes this requires breaking rules. (Hunger Games, The Giver, Ender’s Game, I, Robot)

People in Time or SpacePeople in Time or Space-- Stories involving humans traveling in time or Stories involving humans traveling in time or

space. Situations include the beings space. Situations include the beings humans encounter, and how the humans humans encounter, and how the humans react to the unfamiliar surroundings.react to the unfamiliar surroundings. ((Star Star Trek, Timeline, Back to the Future, Dr. Who.Trek, Timeline, Back to the Future, Dr. Who.))

Humans and Technology- Stories describing how humans interact with computers, nanotechnology, bioengineering, virtual reality, artificial intelligences, or other parts of technologically driven society. These stories often question the concept of what it means to be human. (I, Robot, Terminator)

Science Fiction vs. FantasyScience Fiction vs. Fantasy Science Fiction- Science Fiction- a form of fiction that draws imaginatively on a form of fiction that draws imaginatively on

scientific knowledge and speculation in its plot, setting, theme, etc. scientific knowledge and speculation in its plot, setting, theme, etc. Ender’s Game, Brave New World, The Wanting Seed, Hunger Ender’s Game, Brave New World, The Wanting Seed, Hunger

Games, Dune, Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Games, Dune, Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, “I am Legend”.“I am Legend”.

**It always ties back to science.*It always ties back to science.*

Fantasy- Fantasy- stories set in fanciful, invented worlds, an alternate and stories set in fanciful, invented worlds, an alternate and more fanciful version of our own world, or in a legendary, mythic past. more fanciful version of our own world, or in a legendary, mythic past. Fantasy fiction stories generally involve magic, mystical elements, or Fantasy fiction stories generally involve magic, mystical elements, or supernatural creatures. supernatural creatures.

Harry Potter, Twilight, Lord of the Rings, EragonHarry Potter, Twilight, Lord of the Rings, Eragon

Science Fiction MoviesScience Fiction MoviesStar Wars moviesStar Wars movies G. I. JoeG. I. Joe Starship TroopersStarship TroopersStar TrekStar Trek Jurassic Park Jurassic Park PushPushBack to the Future Back to the Future WaterworldWaterworld Transformers Transformers Judge DreddJudge Dredd ArmageddonArmageddon Superman moviesSuperman moviesJohnny MnemonicJohnny Mnemonic The MatrixThe Matrix SpeciesSpecies28 Days Later28 Days Later MultiplicityMultiplicity Men in BlackMen in BlackX-MenX-Men Reign of FireReign of Fire DoomDoomPitch BlackPitch Black The TerminatorThe Terminator The Day After TomorrowThe Day After Tomorrow

And Many More…And Many More…

Science Fiction TV SeriesScience Fiction TV Series Dr. WhoDr. Who LostLost

Star TrekStar Trek HeroesHeroesKnight RiderKnight Rider SmallvilleSmallvilleThe Bionic ManThe Bionic Man VVFireflyFirefly Third Rock From the SunThird Rock From the SunEurekaEureka Mystery Science Theater 3000Mystery Science Theater 3000FringeFringeQuantum LeapQuantum LeapBabylon FiveBabylon FiveStargateStargateTwilight ZoneTwilight ZoneTorchwoodTorchwoodX-FilesX-Files