Transcript File

Science Fiction
Short, short Story Writing
Content & Language Objectives
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Write a short, short story in a science fiction
genre.
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No longer than 2 pgs., double-spaced,
typed, Times New Roman font.
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Follow the conventions of a short story.
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Due next Tuesday. Rubric to follow.
Plot Diagram
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Remember this?
 Your short, short story should follow the same
conventions of exposition (setting, characters),
conflict, rising action, climax, falling action,
resolution.
Science Fiction Genre
Elements:
 Different society from our own due to
 Major changes in science theory and/or
technology
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(time travel, aliens, artificial intelligence,
‘doomsday’ scenarios, etc.)
Asks the “What if…” kinds of questions
 Explores moral, social, technological
dilemmas about how changes in
technology affect humans.
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Ideas
6 & 1 Traits
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Think of the short
stories we’ve read in
class.
 “Harrison Bergeron”
 “Searching for
Summer”
 Other sci-fi stories
and movies
Brainstorm Ideas
Setting
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Time:
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How far in the future?
Or the past?
Time of day?
What is the weather
like?
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Mood:
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What type of mood &
tone will you create?
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Place:
Traditional ‘earth-like’
settings
 Cities
 Natural landscapes
Outer Space
Different Dimension
Can you think of
anything else?
Settings
Setting
traditional or futuristic
outdoors or indoors
Setting
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Natural landscapes
are often used in sci-fi
settings.
Setting
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As the backdrop for
futuristic ideas…
“YOU MANIACS! YOU BLEW IT UP! OH,
DAMN YOU! DAMN YOU ALL TO HELL!”
Setting Freewrite
 Think
of a setting for your sci-fi story.
Freewrite a description.
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What does it look, sound, feel, smell like?
What kinds of events could take place in it?
Why is this setting important in your story?
Characters
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Characterization
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What will they look like?
Their personality?
(physical and character
traits)
Good guy, bad guy, or
both?
What will they do that
keeps the plot moving?
(actions)
What will they think or say
that reveals something
about their character.
What do they believe in?
Character change

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Are they static or
dynamic?
Is there a lesson they
will take away with
them at the end of the
story?
Character Freewrite
 Using
the same setting you just wrote
about, add in a character that fits that
setting.
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What does your character look like?
What are his/her special talents?
What does s/he believe in?
What is s/he pursuing? An actual object or a
concept (love, truth, freedom, etc.)
Character Motivation & Conflict
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What motivates your
character? What
does s/he want?
(Motivation)
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What stands in
his/her way?
(Conflict)
Character Motivation
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Character Motivation and Conflict drive the plot of the
story.
What do you think these characters are pursuing... or
running from?
Character Motivation & Conflict
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Study this picture.
What do you think this
character is doing?
 What is he thinking?
 What is he after and
why?
 How did he get here?
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Discuss and write.
Climax, Falling Action, Resolution
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How is the
character’s problem
solved? Does it
involve…
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A loud, angry, often
violent action or
Does it end in a more
subdued way?
The End
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That is the climax and
resolution.
Sci-Fi Movie References
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Aliens
Aliens vs. Predator
Avatar
Blade Runner
Dark City
District 9
Dune
Gattaca
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The Matrix
Pitch Black
Planet of the Apes
Soylent Green
Star Trek
Sunshine
The Terminator