In-class workshop focused on distinguishing Science Fiction (SF) from Fantasy and practising SF story ideation.
Format: open discussion, film clips, historical references, peer group brainstorming, short readings, and a live sharing of student pitches.
Central instructional goal: learn to frame SF stories around a clear “What if…?” question that is (at least superficially) explainable by science and then logically extrapolated.
Secondary goals: recognise common SF sub-tropes, evaluate plausibility vs. pure imagination, and consider ethical implications.
Science Fiction vs. Fantasy
SF = speculative narratives whose extraordinary elements are given a science (or pseudo-science) rationale.
• "More probable" and “respectable” because it gestures toward real or conceivable science.
• Even invented tech may be acceptable if it carries a veneer of logic (e.g., flux capacitor in Back to the Future).
Fantasy = admits outright magic; portals, wardrobes, spells need no scientific footnote.
• Example: C. S. Lewis’ wardrobe to Narnia is ultimately explained as magical wood—not SF.
Dystopian tales straddle both categories; if the nightmare future arises from technological or sociological extrapolation → shelved under SF, otherwise may drift into Fantasy.
The Must-Haves of an SF Story (Class-Generated List)
A clear, concise "What if…?" question.
At least a sketch of scientific, technological, or mathematical justification (it may be hand-wavy).
Speculation & Extrapolation:
• Speculation = proposing an alternate premise.
• Extrapolation = projecting current data/conditions "a thousand times" further to explore impacts.
Grounding in reality: recognizable human motives, settings, or physical laws act as anchor points.