Unit 5 PROJECT

1. Learning Targets

2. Speculative Fiction

"Dictionary.com defines speculative fiction as “a broad literary genre encompassing any fiction with supernatural, fantastical, or futuristic elements.” Additionally, the Speculative Literature Foundation describes it as a “catch-all term”:

"[M]eant to inclusively span the breadth of fantastic literature, encompassing literature ranging from hard science fiction to epic fantasy to ghost stories to horror to folk and fairy tales to slipstream to magical realism to modern myth-making — and more."

Also, Robert A. Heinlein in 1941 said speculative fiction is,

“[N]arratives concerned not so much with science or technology as with human actions in response to a new situation created by science or technology, speculative fiction highlights a human rather than technological problem."

"With all these definitions and listed genres, it can get overwhelming. So I think it’s best to sit down and ponder the term “to speculate.” To theorize. The questions “What if this happened?” or “What if the world were this way?” often are the seedlings to speculative fiction stories. And what genres better ask these questions than science fiction, fantasy, horror, etc.?"

Source:  https://bookriot.com/what-is-speculative-fiction/

3. Science Fiction

What is the difference between speculative fiction and science fiction?

• Science Fiction can be difficult to define and it is often considered a genre within speculative fiction, however Isaac Asimov was reported to have said "Science fiction can be defined as that branch of literature that deals with the reaction of human beings to changes in science and technology.” Key characteristics of science fiction often include a society which is utterly altered by changes in science, technology, and automatism. People or their society are now almost unrecognizable to today because of the changes technology has had on them. 
• Spec-fi, however, is a wider umbrella genre that includes science fiction but taps into more possible sub genres not limited to science. Fantasy, supernatural all fall under Spec-fi. But the idea behind spec-fi is to put our world as more or less the same as it is now- with one or two massive key differences. 
• To distill it down and slightly oversimplify it: 

Spec-Fiction could happen today If…  and;  Science-Fiction might happen someday If…

Science Fiction narrative ideas

4. Narrative Writing

Narrative Writing

Narrative writing tells a story. It can be fact or fiction, but it always depicts a series of events or incidents, usually in chronological order. Just as in descriptive writing, there are several components in narrative writing that make it unique. These are

Selecting Key Events:

a) Since you can not use all the events you must select the events you consider to be the most important . Consider the 5 W's: who, what, where, when, why.

b) It differs from a summary of events because it includes many details that would be omitted in a summary. A narrative often describes how the characters feel and think, but a summary usually does not . People who include every event spoil the narration.

c) Select events to:

• move the action forward
• provide turning points for the action
• give insight into the people involved
• help achieve a desired effect, such as irony or suspense.

Using Narrative Detail/Description

a) Details have several purposes. Among them are:

• to specify action
• to add interest
• to help reveal character
• to provide a reason for action

Using Dialogue

a) We are not told about an event. Rather, we see and hear it happening. Dialogue in a narrative may:

• offer explanations
• give reasons
• state opinions
• give facts

b) A dialogue tag serves to identify the speaker. (eg: Susanna says, “I want to go home.”)

Point of View

Just as in descriptive writing, the person from whose point of view you write the narrative will have an overwhelming effect on what is included in the narration. For example, if you are writing about an accident, whether you are the driver, the victim, the policeman at the scene, a witness, or a passenger – this will have an impact on your perception of the events.

5. Persuasive Writing

Persuasive writing intends to convince the reader of a stated opinion or belief.

How do we get others to accept our points of view?

• clearly stated position or belief
• factual support
• persuasive techniques
• logical argument

Read over the Persuasive Writing handout.

6. What If?

We all have a story whether it is a novel or a movie or some other format that we experienced and perhaps changed us in some way or made us consider "What if?". Maybe it was the unforgettable character that was so flawed yet pushed through their fears to save the day. Or maybe the whole concept of the novel/movie made you think about the world in a different way. Think of a story that makes you say "You have to watch/read it!!"

7. ASSIGNMENT 5.5 PROJECT: Sales Pitch

ESSENTIAL QUESTION:  What If?

Task:

For this project, develop a speculative narrative outline that imagines a future where a current world  “issue” has developed (eg. a pandemic). Then pitch your idea to a publisher, producer dept. head, etc. to promote a: novel, graphic novel, podcast, course syllabus, movie, or storytelling website project that you have developed.  Incorporate both narrative and persuasive styles of writing.

Go to "5.5 PROJECT: Sales Pitch" Assignment on the main page of the course to read a more comprehensive explanation of the assignment to complete this section.