SCI 215SC – Science Fiction Original Story
For this assignment, you will write an original science fiction short story based on the guidelines and parameters described below.
Assignment Guidelines
The story should be 2000-3000 words in length, double-spaced, and typed in Times New Roman, 10- point font.
Choose one of the following inspirational themes on which to base your story.
1. Earth and Beyond
2. The Future of Food
3. Smarter, Stronger, Faster
4. The City of Tomorrow
5. The Incredible Shrinking Computer
6. The Future of Your Mind
Your story should follow the plot outline below.
Step 1: Build the World
Who are the main characters? Where do they live? When? Select a date that is just on the other side of plausibility.
Step 2: Insert Technology Inflection Point
Choose a technology you are worried or excited about. What happens in the story that causes that same concern or excitement?
Step 3: Explore the Ramifications
What are the consequences of the inflection point or conflict? How are the characters or setting affected?
Step 4: Insert Human Inflection Point
How do the main characters adapt to what is going on? How do they change? What decision do they make?
Step 5: Reveal What We Learned
How does the setting or the main character change as a result of their reaction or interaction with the technology?
Note: If you want some inspiration, read this short story that won a science fiction creative writing contest sponsored by the Intel Corporation. The author wrote “The Lost Emotion” as a response to the competition theme: “Is the Future Friendly?” It contains references to compelling technology, but the story is about people, not just technology.
(The elements used in this assignment, primarily the story themes and plot outline steps, are derived from The Tomorrow Project’s fiction competition. Source: “How to Create a Science Fiction Prototype.” The Tomorrow Project. n.p., n.d. Web. 23 May 2014.)
Submission
You will submit a complete draft of your story to the Assignment box no later than Sunday 11:59 EST/EDT. (This Assignment box is linked to Turnitin.)
Your instructor will have one week to read and provide feedback. The final version is due by the conclusion of Module 7.
Grading Rubric
Category
Level I (0-3 points)
Level II (4-7 points)
Level III (8-10 points)
Setting
Limited descriptions of setting (world, people involved, conflict, etc.).
Significant but incomplete descriptions of setting (world, people involved, conflict, etc.).
Complete descriptions of setting (world, people involved, conflict, etc.).
New Technology (Sci Fi)
Technology is not disruptive.
Technology is not completely thought out.
Technology is disruptive.
Reactions
Reactions to technology is not realistic or is not explored.
Reactions to technological disruption is partially explored but unsatisfactorily so.
Reactions are true to the characters and are in response to the technology introduced.
Lessons Learned
No transformation in the character or setting as a result of the events in the story.
Transformation in the story is unrelated to the events or is partially connected to the plot.
Lessons learned are clear and have some teeth to produce a transformation in perspective or setting.
Writing Construction
Story is unclear and needs significant work to improve plot.
Story is missing some information to improve the clarity of the story.
Plot and storyline flows clearly from beginning to end.
Total ____ / 50 points
