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Step 1
Introduce the books in both a historical and literary context. For example, every high school student learns that George Orwell wrote "1984" as a reaction to Stalinism, but few learn that it was based on the science fiction novel "We," written by the Russian revolutionist Evgeny Zamyatin.
Understanding the tradition of Utopian and Distopian novels in science fiction will allow your students to have a more nuanced understanding of the literature. -
Step 2
Discuss the role of cultural fears in science fiction. Compare a classic work like "Frankenstein" to a more modern one like "Brave New World" to discuss what preoccupations they deal with.
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Step 3
Expose your students to stylistic novelty. For high school English students who are just finding their voices as writers, reading stories written in unusual styles can be eye opening.
Ursula K. LeGuinn's "The Disposessed," for example, alternates chapter by chapter between the story of the protagonist's current adventure and his past, providing an unusual narrative structure. Philip K. Dick's dizzying stories often focus on the attempts of the characters to find out what is real and what is a nightmarish illusion. -
Step 4
Have your students think about science fiction as a genre. Compare science fiction to realism and discuss their relative advantages and disadvantages. Have each student write a science fiction story focusing on a current theme such as artificial intelligence, surveillance, or the control of information.
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Step 5
Watch a movie based off of a science fiction novel. Blade Runner, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, and many other films have their roots in sci-fi writing.
