science fiction ele 616 research in children’s literature fall 2009

Science Science FictionFiction

ELE 616 Research in Children’s Literature

Fall 2009

April 19, 2023 Science Fiction

22

What is Science Fiction?What is Science Fiction?

George Hay:: “Science fiction is what you find on the

shelves in the library marked science fiction.”

• Definitions of Science Fiction

http://www.ansible.co.uk/writing/odyss02.html

http://www.nvcc.edu/home/ataormina/beyond/overview/definitions.html


33

Sci-fi authors define sci-fiSci-fi authors define sci-fi

Brian W. Alldiss::• Science fiction is the search for definition

of man and his status in the universe which will stand in our advanced but confused state of knowledge (science), and is characteristically cast in the Gothic or post-Gothic mould.

– Trillion Year Spree: the History of Science Fiction (London, 1986)

» Definitions of Science Fiction

http://www.panix.com/~gokce/sf_defn.html

http://www.magicdragon.com/UltimateSF/thisthat.html


http://www.sfhub.ac.uk/Aldiss.htm

http://www.brianwaldiss.org/


44

Isaac Asimov:: "Science fiction is that branch of

literature which is concerned with the impact of scientific advance upon human beings."

• Isaac Asimov, in “Modern Science Fiction”, edited by Reginald Bretnor (1953)



http://www.asimovonline.com/asimov_home_page.html

http://www.magicdragon.com/UltimateSF/authorsA.html




http://www.sciencefictionandfantasy.co.uk/isaac-asimov.htm

http://www.asimovonline.com/asimov_home_page.html


55

Ray Bradbury::

Science fiction is really sociological studies of the future, things that the writer believes are going to happen by putting two and two together.



http://www.raybradbury.com/

http://scifi.about.com/od/scififantasy101/a/SCIFI_defs.htm

http://scifi.about.com/od/scififantasy101/a/SCIFI_defs.htm

http://www.panix.com/~gokce/sf_defn.html

https://secure.grantbooks.com/z-titles-bradbury.html


66

Frederik Pohl:: The future depicted in a good

SF story ought to be in fact possible, or at least plausible. That means that the writer should be able to convince the reader (and himself) that the wonders he is describing really can come true...and that gets tricky when you take a good, hard look at the world around you.

– The Shape of Things to Come and Why It Is Bad, SFC, December 1991

– Definitions of Science Fiction


http://www.frederikpohl.com/

http://scifi.about.com/od/scififantasy101/a/SCIFI_defs_3.htm

http://scifi.about.com/od/scififantasy101/a/SCIFI_defs_3.htm

http://www.nndb.com/people/728/000023659


77

Scalzi's Three Criteria for Science Fiction Scalzi's Three Criteria for Science Fiction

1. The Work Takes Place in 1. The Work Takes Place in the Futurethe Future --or what was the future when the work was

completed. Alternate timelines may also qualify if they follow at least one of the other criteria.

2. The Work Uses Technology that 2. The Work Uses Technology that Does Not Currently ExistDoes Not Currently Exist --or (again) did not exist at the time the work

was completed. Extrapolation from existing technology qualifies as well.

• What is Science Fiction Anyway? From John Scalzi’s blog

http://www.scalzi.com/whatever/003793.html

http://whatever.scalzi.com/


http://whatever.scalzi.com/about/a-brief-biography-of-john-scalzi/


88

Scalzi's Three Criteria for Science FictionScalzi's Three Criteria for Science Fiction

3. Events Are, By and Large, 3. Events Are, By and Large, Rationally BasedRationally Based I'll quote myself here: “Though

important events, situations and characters may in themselves be fantastical, science fiction assumes an explanation based on a logical universe. This is opposed to fantasy works, and some horror, in which such ideas are described through magic or the whims of the gods.”

• What is Science Fiction Anyway?

http://www.scalzi.com/whatever/003793.html


http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat/authors/whats_the_big_idea_behind_john_scalzis_big_idea_108472.asp


99

SF in educationSF in education

Explore Science Fact With Explore Science Fact With Science Fiction Science Fiction A unit on genetics had Sephali Ray’s students

jazzed. A seventh-grade science teacher at the New York City Lab School, a public middle- and high-school, Ray didn't stop with the scientific facts. “It’s absurd for students to talk about how DNA works without trying to understand its implications for society,” says Ray.

• Link Science & Literacy by Meg Lundstrom

http://teacher.scholastic.com/products/instructor/Mar05_scienceandliteracy.htm


http://teacher.scholastic.com/products/instructor/


1010

How this works:How this works:

Julie E. CzernedaJulie E. Czerneda Good science fiction is story, science, and

speculation all wrapped up in a package custom-made for improving literacy and critical-thinking skills-it does not get more convenient.

Students prepare by analyzing a work of science fiction and examining the underlying science idea in terms of the attitude and knowledge conveyed through the story about the author, following this with research on the author.

• Science Fiction and Scientific Literacy



1111

http://www.unshelved.com/archive.aspx?strip=20061008

http://www.unshelved.com/


1212



1313



1414

Every Sunday our characters talk about a book they've read in full-page full-color comic strips. Our book clubs are posted in libraries, book stores, and in homes, and you have our permission to do so too (write us if you're interested in other uses).

http://www.overduemedia.com/primer.aspx

mailto:[email protected]?subject=book%20clubs


http://www.unshelved.com/bookclub.aspx


1515

Source for reviewsSource for reviews

SF Site is composed of many pieces. Twice a

month since July 1997, we have posted a mixture of book reviews, opinion pieces, author interviews, fiction excerpts, author and publisher reading lists and a variety of other features. At the same time, we've maintained a comprehensive list of links to author and fan tribute sites, SF conventions, SF TV and movies, magazines and e-zines, writer resources, publishers and small press sites and many other SF resources.

• http://www.sfsite.com/

http://www.sfsite.com/

http://www.sfsite.com/home.htm


1616

Welcome to sffworld.com, one of the largest SF and Fantasy sites on the Internet today. All run by a bunch of volunteers who invest of their spare time to make this possible.

• About sffworld.com

Another source for reviewsAnother source for reviews

http://www.sffworld.com/about.html

http://www.sffworld.com/


1717Sci-Fi AwardsSci-Fi Awards

HugosHugos The Hugo Award was named in honor of Hugo

Gernsback, “The Father of Magazine Science Fiction,” as he was described in a special award given to him in 1960. The Hugo Award, also known as the Science Fiction Achievement Award, is given annually by the World Science Fiction Society (WSFS). The distinguishing characteristics of the Hugo Award are that it is sponsored by WSFS, administered by the committee of the World Science Fiction Convention (Worldcon) held that year, and determined by nominations from and a popular vote of the membership of WSFS.

• What are the Hugo Awards?

http://www.wsfs.org/

http://www.worldcon.org/

http://www.thehugoawards.org/hugo-faq/

http://www.thehugoawards.org/

http://www.thehugoawards.org/hugo-trophies/2009-hugo-award-trophy/


1818

NebulasNebulas

The Nebula Awards® are voted on, and presented by, active members of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Inc.

Since 1965, the Nebula Awards have been given each year for the best novel, novella, novelette, and short story eligible for that year's award.

• About the Award

Sci-Fi AwardsSci-Fi Awards

http://www.sfwa.org/org/sfwa_info.htm

http://www.sfwa.org/org/sfwa_info.htm

http://www.nebulaawards.com/index.php/about/award

http://www.sfwa.org/

http://www.nebulaawards.com/

http://www.sfwa.org/


1919

Sci-Fi vs. FantasySci-Fi vs. Fantasy

Science fiction and fantasy In general, science fiction is the literature of

things that might someday be possible, and fantasy is the literature of things that are inherently impossible.[10] Magic and mythology are popular themes in fantasy.[68] Some narratives are described as being essentially science fiction but “with fantasy elements”. The term "science fantasy" is sometimes used to describe such material.[69]

• Science fiction from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_fiction

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_fiction#cite_note-Serling_def-9

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_(fantasy)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mythology

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fantasy_tropes_and_conventions

An SF author’s viewAn SF author’s view

Fredrick PohlFredrick Pohl If anyone were to force me to make a

thumbnail description of the differences between SF and fantasy, I think I would say that SF looks towards an imaginary future, while fantasy, by and large, looks towards an imaginary past. Both can be entertaining. Both can possibly be, perhaps sometimes actually are, even inspiring. But as we can't change the past, and can't avoid changing the future, only one of them can be real.

– Pohlemic, SFC, May 1992» Definitions of Science FictionDefinitions of Science Fiction


2020


2121Star WarsStar Wars: Fantasy or Sci-Fi?: Fantasy or Sci-Fi?

Star Wars could be considered both Star Wars could be considered both science fantasy and standard science science fantasy and standard science fictionfiction A definition, offered by Rod Serling, is that "science

fiction makes the implausible possible, while science fantasy makes the impossible plausible." The meaning is that science fiction describes unlikely things that could possibly take place in the real world under certain conditions, while science fantasy gives a veneer of realism to things that simply could not happen in the real world under any circumstances. Another interpretation is that science fiction does not permit the existence of supernatural elements; science fantasy does.

• Wikipedia (an article that “has multiple issues.”)


2222

science fiction ele 616 research in children’s literature fall 2009

Documents

alldiss science fiction

science fiction ele

modern science fiction

isaac asimov science

ray bradbury science

george hay science fiction

science fact w

scifi slide