science fiction vs fantasy

Science Fiction

VsFantasy

A Story is a Story!Both Science Fiction &

Fantasy have basic story elements.

A Story is a Story!Both Science Fiction & Fantasy have basic story elements.

• Both have characters, settings problems & solutions

• Both have a theme--a message about life the author is trying to convey.

Science Fiction vs. Fantasy

The two are very closely related!

In Science Fiction, there needs to be some possibility that the events could happen.

In contrast, Fantasy, allows the author to use far-fetched concepts, like unicorns, three-headed creatures, telekinesis, etc.

• Science Fiction can be seen as a brand of fantasy. It is more believable because it uses scientific research as its basis.

• Good science-fiction stories are about human beings, with a human problem, and a human solution, but would not have happened without science content

SCI-FI

CONFLICT

• FANTASY–CONFLICT– Usually Person vs. SELF

• SCIENCE FICTION–CONFLICT— Usually Person vs.

SOCIETY

• SCI FI--- REVEALS AUTHOR’S ATTITUDE TOWARDS SOCIETY/ Bigger picture/ life

• FANTASY- REVEALS AUTHOR’S ATTITUDE TO HUMANS AND OUR BEHAVIOR.

TONE

THEMES• Many Sci-Fi authors see their stories as loose predictions of the future. So they may use present-day social concerns as a warning of “things to come”.• Fantasy authors have less desire to “warn” readers. They are interested in entertaining the reader or noting Human Nature

SCI-FI SETTING• Science fiction stories have

a seeting that combines science and fiction.

• The settings are controlled by the basic laws of nature and science.

• Fictional yes, but plausible• It is closely related to fantasy.

FANTASY SETTING• Fantasy stories use magic &

other supernatural ideas• Ancient myths, legends, epics

& folktales are included in this genre.

• “Worlds” completely different from our own will be settings.

CHARACTER

• Fantasy characters are often human in their nature• Sci-fi allows for human nature in machines due to

programming, etc• However, fantasy allows for personification without

science to explain how it comes about• Characters change in either case

WHICH CAME FIRST?• Science Fiction grew out of

Fantasy.• Fantasy stories were myths and

are as old as humankind’s ability to tell stories

• Science Fiction’s roots are in the discoveries of scientists in Europe through the 16th and 17th centuries

• Fantasy may become reality through efforts in science, but the fantasy was fantasy at the time the novel is written