Science Fiction
Science fiction, also often known as 'sci-fi', is a genre of
literature that is imaginative and based around science. It relies
heavily on scientific facts, theories, and principles as support
for its settings, characters, themes, and plot.
What is science fiction?
Science fiction, also often known as 'sci-fi', is a genre of
literature that is imaginative and based around science. It relies
heavily on scientific facts, theories, and principles as support
for its settings, characters, themes, and plot. Many of the
storylines and plots within pieces of science fiction are possible
or plausible according to science.
Science fiction is usually futuristic and often presents
alternative ways of life and living that are made possible by
technological change. Science-fiction novels are similar to
fantasy in that they imagine alternative worlds that exist outside
the realms of our real world.
What are the five elements of science-fiction story writing?
Similar to other forms of fiction writing, science fiction contains
the usual elements of the novel. These include a specific
setting, character development, plot (central conflict,
complications, climactic events, resolution), themes, and
structure.
1. Setting
Setting is the context in which a story or scene occurs and
includes the time, place, and social environment. It's important
to establish a setting in your story, so your readers can
visualise and experience it. Science-fiction settings tend to
include space travel, new galaxies or futuristic times.
2. Character
A character is a person in a story - either a human, a fantasy
character, mythical character or even an animal. Science fiction
is no exception to this element of fiction writing and the
characters in these stories often include aliens, time travellers
and heroic adventurers.
3. Plot
The plot is the main event or events of a play, novel, film, or
similar work, devised and presented by the writer as an
interrelated sequence. The plot of science fiction usually
centres around technological discoveries, time travel and alien
invasions.
4. Themes
Theme is the main idea or underlying meaning a writer
explores in a story. Many of science fiction's most common
themes include space travel, time travel, utopias and dystopias,
and encounters with alien life forms.
5. Structure
A structure is the basic events of a story and how its plot
unfolds. Science-fiction stories are usually full of action,
adventure and plot twists that make up the structure.
What are some main components of science-fiction novels?
Here are some of the main features of science-fiction novels:
time travel;
teleportation;
mind control, telepathy, and telekinesis;
alien life forms, and mutants;
space travel and exploration;
parallel universes.
Can you think of any novels you've read recently that have any
of these features?
Famous Science-Fiction Novels and Writers
Here are some examples of famous science-fiction novels that
you might have heard of or might want to check out. These
novels have been crucial in defining the question 'what is
science fiction?'.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. Frankenstein tells the story
of a gifted scientist called Frankenstein who creates a
monster. However, the monster is not the perfect specimen
that he imagined it to be – it turns out to be a hideous
creature who is rejected by mankind and Frankenstein
himself.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.
The Hunger Games depicts a story of a post-
apocalyptic nation called Panem in North
(DISCUSS THE WORD)
America. It's run by the Capitol that exercises political
control over the rest of the nation.
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline.
This story is set in 2045 and follows Wade Watts on his
search for an Easter egg in a worldwide virtual reality game.
The discovery of this leads him to inherit the game creator’s
fortune.
Where did science fiction originate from?
The exact origins and definitions of science fiction have been
widely disputed, but the term 'science fiction' was thought to
have been invented in the 1920s by one of the first advocates
for the genre, Hugo Gernsback.
The World Science-Fiction Society holds annual awards for
outstanding science fiction, beginning in 1953. These were
named after Gernsback and celebrate achievements of the top
science-fiction writers, editors, illustrators and films of the
world.
Why is science fiction important?
The science-fiction genre is an important genre, and it’s very
popular, too. Science fiction often creates an opportunity for
people to turn scientific theories into full stories about what is
possible and/or imaginable. People use scientific facts to do
things like:
suggest what could happen in the future;
explore what could happen if certain events or
circumstances came to be;
suggest future consequences of technological and scientific
advancements and innovation.
How to Start a Science-Fiction Story
Starting a story in a new genre can be tricky, so how can you
learn to start a science-fiction story with your kids? Twinkl is
here to help. Check out a few of our pointers, tips and tricks to
help you start your own science-fiction story:
Keep it short
For children who are writing their first stories, keeping it short
can be the best way to perfect the key components of
storytelling. Why not try a flash fiction story?
Find your hook
Every great story needs a great opening line to hook your
reader. A strong beginning in a science-fiction story will make
the readers want to know more.
Plan only one or two interesting characters
Interesting characters are one of the most important parts of
any story. However, too many characters will make the story
too complex, and the readers won't be able to tell them apart.
Pick a common science-fiction theme or trope
Most science-fiction stories explore themes such as
technology, aliens, adventure and space. Picking a common
trope or theme from science fiction can help children focus on
their stories. Try these common themes and tropes from
science-fiction stories:
space exploration/adventure;
advanced technology that shows a glimpse of a future;
the fate of the world is in the balance;
aliens invade Earth.
Hard Science-Fiction Novels vs Soft Science-Fiction Novels
Science fiction is divided into two broad categories: hard sci-fi
and soft sci-fi. These terms are vague and flexible, but they
give readers a good idea of what to expect from the novel
before reading it. Here is the difference between these two
types of sci-fi books:
Hard sci-fi novels are based on scientific fact. They're
inspired by 'hard' natural sciences like chemistry, physics,
and astronomy.
Soft sci-fi novels can be either not scientifically accurate or
they’re inspired by 'soft' social sciences like psychology,
anthropology, and sociology.
Mini Science-Fiction Quiz Questions
Try these science-fiction quiz questions to see how well you
can identify if a text is science fiction or not. Each question
features a made-up summary of a story, and you have to guess
whether you think it would fit in the science-fiction genre or
another genre. Try and answer all of these questions before
scrolling down to find the answers!
1. A story about an alien teenager growing up on Mars while
navigating his way through teenage life.
2. A story about a detective who has to follow a series of clues
to catch a criminal.
3. A story about a princess who decides she doesn’t want to
be a princess anymore, so she gives up her position and
joins a regular school and tries to hide her past.
4. A story about a group of people whose flight takes a wrong
turn and sends them to another planet.
Did you manage to answer all the questions? Try reading this
page again. You might find the answers you’re looking for.
: Here’s the correct answer for each question
1. This story would be a piece of science fiction.
2. This story is not a piece of science fiction – it falls into
the detective and crime fiction genre.
3. This story would be a piece of teen fiction or young adult
fiction.
4. This story would be a piece of science fiction.
Recommendations for a Science-Fiction Story
Now that we've learnt the basics of science fiction, how to write
a science-fiction story and how you can teach it in the
classroom, what are some examples of a science-fiction story
you can read with your children?
For some fantastic science-fiction stories that you can bring
into your classroom reading corner, try:
1. Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer
Determined to restore his family’s fortunes and defeat the
terrifying, crafty high-tech fairies with his cunning intelligence,
Artemis Fowl is the inimitable twelve-year-old criminal
mastermind at the heart of Colfer’s international bestseller.
2. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
It's an ordinary Thursday lunchtime for Arthur Dent until his
house gets demolished. The Earth follows shortly afterwards to
make way for a new hyperspace express route, and his best
friend has just announced that he's an alien. At this moment,
they're hurtling through space with nothing but their towels and
an innocuous-looking book inscribed, in large friendly letters,
with the words: DON'T PANIC.
3. The Danger Gang by Tom Fletcher
Franky can't wait to move to his new town - although he wishes
he didn't have to leave his best friend Dani behind. But
everything changes after the storm, when strange green
lightning and powerful thunder crash down on the town. From
that night on, the kids who live on Franky's street start to
change. One by one, they become a little odd. A little unusual.
A little... magical.
Science-Fiction Story Topics
If you want your pupils to write their own science-fiction story,
then you'll want to take a look at some of these science-fiction
story topics. These ideas can inspire your pupils to write out-of-
this-world stories. Encourage your pupils to use figurative
language and ambitious vocabulary while they write!
Science-Fiction Story Topics about Aliens
A mysterious light appears in your garden at night. You go
outside to investigate it, and you find a spaceship. What
does it look like? Will you go inside?
You are an alien flying through space. Suddenly, your
spaceship starts to malfunction. You need to make a crash
landing! Which planet will you land on? What will you find
there?
You are an astronaut on a mission to explore space. You've
recently discovered a new planet and a new species - write
a report all about what you've found.
Alien life has been discovered and they want to
communicate with the people of planet Earth. Are they
friendly or do they have something sinister up their sleeve?
One day, an alien ship crashes into your house. The alien
needs help getting back on its feet. What do you do to help
it? How does it adjust to life on Earth?
Science-Fiction Story Topics About Robots
Robots are now considered to be equal to humans - they're
even made to go to school! One of your new classmates is
a robot. How do you get on?
You enter a science competition and decide to make a
robot. But as things progress, the robot starts to take on a
mind of its own...
10,000 years into the future, only robots have survived on
Earth. What does their society look like? How are they
different from humans?
Now that technology has advanced, you have the option to
transfer your brain into a robot at the end of your life. Would
you choose to do it? Why or why not?
Robots have now taken up all the positions of power on
Earth - it's thought that their emotions won't influence their
decisions. What is the robot Prime Minister like?
