Fantasy/Science Fiction

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Fantasy is a subgenre of fiction, and within fantasy, there is science fiction.  Fantasy and science fiction have several attributes. More information can be found in Dr. Karin Perry's Sci-Fi On The Fly: The Reader's Guide to Science Fiction for Young Adults.

These don't follow the rules of physical reality.
  • Fantasy worlds have rules.
  • Characters are believable and behave in believable ways as well.
  • Author must make the story understandable while keeping it in the fantasy realm.
  • Soft sci-fi= more story; hard sci-fi=more science.
Topics in the subgenre of fantasy and Science Fiction:
  • apocalyptic or post apocalyptic worlds (end of the world and afterward)
  • dystopia: control of humans and way of life, suppression of citizens, government control, fear of entity in power, fear of outside world, illusion of the perfect world, rebellion ensues
  • cyber/technology related: machines, mechanical creatures and their relationships with humans, manipulation of humans
  • robots, clones, artificial intelligence, androids, cyborgs
  • virtual reality, gaming
  • extra sensory perception (ESP): powers, clairvoyance, heightened perception, precognition
  • extra-terrestrial: space, aliens, cosmos, universe
  • time travel and/or parallel universe
Evaluating fiction and Science Fiction
  1. Be sure that children can believe the reality of the characters in the midst of the fantasy setting.
  2. The fantasy world still exists within a set a rules.
  3. Author assists the reader to believe in 
  4. The themes must represent universal truth.
Reflection:
Fantasy and Science Fiction are incredibly rich sub genres.  Dr. Perry was completely correct when she mentioned that there is something for everyone.  Not all students like to read or gravitate to English Language Arts as their favorite subject; however, they do like science and have a vast imagination.  Science fiction and fantasy are two sub genres that I can recommend to students who like learning about extra-terrestrials, artificial intelligence, robotics, or even time travel.  In addition, adults are also gravitated to these themes.  

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