(TBASF) There and Back: Science Fiction and Fantasy - Introduction

There and Back: Science Fiction and Fantasy 

Introduction

An otherwordly illustration of a science fiction landscape: In the foreground are futuristic buildings and spacecraft. In the background are a large moon, a smaller moon, and several bright stars. The sky is emerald green.What is one thing that makes reading so much fun? It is being able to escape to another time and another place! Science fiction is a genre of fiction that allows readers to do exactly that--escape and use their imaginations! Science fiction deals with imaginary content, futuristic settings, and space travel. Fantasy is also a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. In this unit, you will read several science fiction and fantasy short stories and poems. You will also learn more about the Arthurian Legend and chivalry. Lastly, grammar and writing will also be covered, so get ready to learn about nouns, pronouns, verbs, and two different types of writing!

Essential Questions

  1. How does background knowledge enhance our reading experience?
  2. What are the elements of science fiction?
  3. How does science fiction differ from fantasy?
  4. What is the Arthurian Legend?

Key Terms

  1. Science Fiction: Fiction based on imagined future scientific or technological advances and major social or environmental changes.
  2. Fantasy: The faculty or activity of imagining things that are impossible or improbable.
  3. Arthurian Legend: Legendary stories of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.

 

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