Text type: Narrative

Science Fiction

To entertain and, sometimes, to speculate about the future.

A table showing core elements and aspects of science fiction writing to support teaching and learning
Generic structure	Language features	Knowledge for the writer
Can use any of the varied structures typical of narrative. The setting is often a time in the future so may use structures that play with the time sequence, such as flashbacks and time travel. Science fiction typically includes detail about the way that people might live in the future, predicting in a creative and imaginative way how technology might advance.	The plot usually includes adventure so action is fast-moving. Where futuristic characters are created, dialogue may use unusual forms and vocabulary, or even alternative languages. Description is important to convey imagined settings, technology, processes and characters.	Even if the story is set in the future, you still need to create a setting, characters and plot that readers can believe possible. Make sure you have main characters the reader will care about (e.g. a likeable hero) even if the characters are non-human. Use description carefully when you want your reader to imagine something they have never seen.