Genre conventions and features

1. Genre conventions and features science fiction

2. Origins of science fiction • The sci-fi genre truly began during the 19th century • This era saw massive breakthroughs in technology and scientific discovery • This led people to begin to speculate about what the future may be like and science fiction was born

3. Conventions of sci-fi • Like other genres, sci-fi stories have conventional features which make the genre instantly recognisable • These features can be setting, plot, characters and underlying message

4. setting • Setting defines the sci-fi genre and can be • The future on planet Earth • An alien planet • Planet Earth under attack by aliens • An alternative Earth history

5. technology • Sci-fi features technological advances which are scientifically plausible or believable • The consequences of this future science are usually the motivating force in the plot

6. plot • There is usually a danger/ threat or evil which must be overcome • The source of this threat/ danger/ evil is usually either scientific or technological advances or aliens • The hero usually finds the weakness or flaw which will help him to overcome the evil

7. The hero • Is usually an ordinary man, an ‘everyman’ figure • Usually discovers the plot/ evil/ threat by accident • Faces danger and obstacles which have to be overcome in order to defeat the plot/threat/evil

8. Underlying themes • Sci-fi fiction tends to pose a serious moral question about our humanity or the future of our planet • E.g. when science enables us to be able create life/ prolong life/ travel to other worlds, will the human race make good moral choices?

9. Sci-fi language • Detailed use of descriptive adjectives to create alien worlds or technology • Use of metaphors and similes to compare futuristic features to those in our world • Short sentences used to create a shock • Words relating to fear • A factual tone when writing about technology, using technological vocabulary