Sci fi

The low thrum of hundreds of engines overhead covering the smog filled sky with cars darting through penetrating the smog. Our car was like all the others sleek for aerodynamics with one large engine in the back all the cars now are exactly the same, same design, same layout everything was the same ever since the government started standardising everything. With a push of a button the car started with a low but unmistakable thrum the computer navigation immediately started and took control of the car. Nobody knows how to drive these scientific innovations people were considered too slow to react and not efficient enough but the truth was human beings are slowly getting phased out. Our car joined hundreds of other darting between buildings avoiding each other. Nowadays the skies were no longer a haven of solitude but a hive of activity with the cars flying around each other narrowly avoiding each other. I looked beside me school bag and MTSC (micro touch screen computer) all I would need for a day at school. The school was a large building with large openings to allow cars to dock and leave the students for the day or longer depending on what the parents had chosen. The building was sleek with a modern design with glass on every surface small gardens inside giving a sense of nature which all of us knew didn't exist anywhere because every where has buildings nowhere was natural. The navigation decided the best place to dock and slowly glided down towards the opening it stopped and I left the car towards my first class.

Science Fiction Conventions

            Conventions (200 words)

Explain in detail the conventions of the science fiction genre. The conventions should also include those frequently borrowed from other genres ie the heroic journey, horror, etc.

Science fiction conventions include the constant use of creating a world that is more futuristic or different from our current world. Science fiction like fantasy fiction creates a new world out of imagination but in science fiction this new world often has futuristic technology. The setting for the novels that are under the genre of science fiction often have common characteristics of having a setting in the future or in alternate timeline with aliens on other worlds or in space. Stories often involve technology of new and existing scientific principles e.g. time travel, nanotechnology, F-T-L travel etc. Common science fiction conventions are the use of using theorised technology in the plot, the discovery of aliens or new planets or Earth being in a change of political or social systems e.g. a disaster on a global scale. Science fiction has been divided into a number of sub-genres but most of the novels written in any of these sub-genres contains at least one of these common science fiction conventions.

Origins and Categories of Science Fiction

      Origins

Trace the development of the sci-fi genre. Explain where the genre came from. What did it grow from? Consider the role of other genres which had a direct or indirect influence on the development of sci-fi? Examples to consider include: westerns, horror, the heroes’ journey, other? (100words)

It is hard to pinpoint the exact origin of science fiction as the idea of science has changed though the ages. Science fiction began to emerge from fantasy fiction the first book to first emerge as a science fiction book by contemporary standards would be Frankenstein by Mary Shelley in 1818. Genres such as fantasy fiction and current scientific developments helped change and refine the science fiction genre that creates different settings and principles than other genres did. Scientific innovation and theories created new principles in science fiction e.g. time travel, space, aliens. Other ideas have been included in science fiction due the large imagination of individuals who constantly want to discover the allure of space and aliens.

      Categories (500 words)

Science fiction can be broken up into a number of sub-categories. Identify and explain the various sub-categories and the features which make each distinguishable. Give examples of texts you are familiar with which may represent these sub-categories.

Science fiction has been broken up into a number of sub-categories and many books often include a number of these characteristics in them. Time travel is a common science fiction theme in many science fiction novels, the plot in these novels can be complicated and difficult to understand due the erratic change of setting and mechanics the plot uses. Life, the Universe and Everything uses time travel to change the setting of the book and the plot to make the audience think differently about the first book in the series (Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams) complicating the book as for the audience to question the previous events. Alternate history changes previous famous events of the world's history e.g. Germany won world war 2. books that include alternate history often choose pivoting moments in history. The alternate history sub-genre is often included with  time travel for more subtle changes in e.g. killing a small bug or moving an object. and for the rest of the novel the protagonist discovers the drastic changes this has inflicted upon the world. Sidewise in time by Harry Turtledove was one of the most famous books to include this sub-genre in the novel time is warping and manifesting itself in 1935 people from previous time periods are appearing at random intervals in 1935. The apocalyptic sub-genre focuses on the end of civilization and technology and the consequent anarchy after through a ecological disaster or by the hand of man itself. The novels including this sub-genre focus on the direct disaster, direct aftermath while post apocalyptic can deal with anything near the aftermath to hundreds to thousands of years in the future. Many famous movies and novels have been written about the destruction and aftermath of civilization such as 'The Road' by Cormac McCarthy. In 'The Road' it is focused upon the post apocalyptic civilization 375 years from the direct disaster. Military Science fiction involves wars that often space over different planets where the primary view is through the soldier fighting or commanding troops often wars are between a large alien force with superior numbers and/or technology or against other humans in a civil war.

NAPLAN Writing Prompt

Is it cruel to to keep animals in cages? Animals who are placed in unusual, sterile and unnatural habitats. Cages are often small and are used to restrict the movement of the animal to conserve space for example the use of cages for caged chickens. Zoos are in use for educate the public and are often used to conserve specific species who may be endangered and are specifically designed to accommodate the animal in accordance to it's natural habitat these environments for them are more acceptable than cages due to cages do not accommodate for the animals habitat. Through the use of cages animals can start to develop stress due to the unusual and unnatural environment in this case a small metal cage these main points will be expanded further in the this text.

Cages are used to restrict an animal's movement to save space these are often small grey boxes made of steel and are far from the animal's natural habitat which causes much stress for them. In chicken coops caged chickens are favored upon due to the ability to save on space when using caged chickens instead of free ranged. Large factories are constructed to house these chickens who have been captive since birth. Often these chickens never walk and just eat and lay eggs. Thousands of caged chickens in a small space in row after row these chickens will never walk on green pastures and will live their lives in the small cruel cages only because it is cheaper for the farmers.

Zoos can be considered as a form of cage but are often made in accordance to the needs of the animal and for the use of educating the public about specific animals. Each habitat in a zoo is cater made to match the animals habitat as closely as possible for these reasons zoos may be considered a cage due to the fact that they hold an animal in captivity but try to maintain the animals habitat and natural lifestyle. Zoos are able to maintain the animals natural lifestyle and habitat by creating a large area to house the animals and using natural plants and landscape according to the animals natural habitat.

Animals can develop stress from being kept in unnatural or unfamiliar habitats which will reduce the animal's lifespan significantly. Thousands of animals meeting early graves because of small cages to reduce in space to save some money to make more of a profit. Cages a small unsanitary and unnatural which will cause high levels of stress for any animal.

Cages are cruel when they are not used and adapted to suit the animal in the case of zoos but when used incorrectly and as a statement to save money and increase profit for the soul benefit for saving money. Caged chickens are trapped in cold cages of captivity for the soul purpose to save money and increase profits but in cases such as zoos which allow the public to learn about these animals and the habitats are suited to the animals are not cruel but beneficial. Cages are cruelty when used incorrectly and for the purpose for profit but when used to educate and to learn and modified to suit the animal they are a tool for education and preservation.

Othello (Act I sc iii) - Iago

Summary: In this section of the play, the villain Iago is motivating Rodrigo to act upon his feelings for Desdemona and even though she is committed to Othello ('the Moor'). Iago wants to take down Othello without actually doing it himself.


Highlight where the following persuasive techniques are used:

• repetition
• alliteration
• extended metaphor

Answer the following questions using quotes where applicable:

• What extended metaphor is used in this speech? Is this metaphor positive or negative towards women? Explain.

The extended metaphor used in the speech is the repeated stating to be "drowned" or "put money in thy purse" have negative connotations suggesting owing money or retribution or to destroy life or suicide.

• How does the metaphor related to Rodrigo becoming more proactive in his pursuit of Desdemona?

As the speech goes on more and more emphasis is placed on the other man Othello describing him as being "an erring barbarian" and how he is not suitable for Desdemona.

• How does Iago characterise Othello ('the moor')?

Iago characterizes Othello as being "an erring barbarian" giving him negative connotations through the use of diction by describing him as being a "barbarian"

• How does Iago describe Rodrigo being passive? What will he do to himself if he doesn't act?

Iago describes Rodrigo as to be drowning himself and destroying himself and others if he does not act upon his feelings "drown thyself! Drown cats and blind puppies".

IAGO

It is merely a lust of the blood and a permission of
the will. Come, be a man. Drown thyself! drown
cats and blind puppies. I have professed me thy
friend and I confess me knit to thy deserving with
cables of perdurable toughness; I could never
better stead thee than now. Put money in thy
purse; follow thou the wars; defeat thy favour with
an usurped beard; I say, put money in thy purse. It
cannot be that Desdemona should long continue her
love to the Moor,-- put money in thy purse,--nor he
his to her: it was a violent commencement, and thou
shalt see an answerable sequestration:--put but
money in thy purse. These Moors are changeable in
their wills: fill thy purse with money:--the food
that to him now is as luscious as locusts, shall be
to him shortly as bitter as coloquintida. She must
change for youth: when she is sated with his body,
she will find the error of her choice: she must
have change, she must: therefore put money in thy
purse. If thou wilt needs damn thyself, do it a
more delicate way than drowning (extended metaphor as well). Make all the money
thou canst: if sanctimony and a frail vow betwixt
an erring barbarian and a supersubtle Venetian not
too hard for my wits and all the tribe of hell, thou
shalt enjoy her; therefore make money. A pox of
drowning thyself! it is clean out of the way: seek
thou rather to be hanged in compassing thy joy than
to be drowned and go without her.

Henry V 'once more unto the breach'

Find and Highlight where these techniques are used:

• repetition
• inclusive language
• alliteration
• metaphor

2. Answer the following Questions (use quotes where applicable):

• What characteristics does King Henry say are best for men in times of PEACE?

King Henry describes the best thing for men in times of peace are to be "modest ... and humility" meaning that it is best to be modest and humble with what they have.

• What should men be like in war?

Men should call up arms when the "blast of war blows" and be ready for "action of the tiger" and to "stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood" to be ready to defend their country and ready for action.

• What does Henry say about the English and their ancestors?

That the English are ready for war and have "fathers of war-proof" saying that the English ancestors have been proven in war.

• What does he mean when he says 'Be copy now to men of grosser blood.'?

He encourages the audience to be more like their ancestors and be proven in war like the men before them.

• What is Henry saying you have to become in order to be successful in war?

You must be ready to sacrifice what you love to be successful in war and to win and be ready to lay down their life like men before them

KING HARRY:
Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more,
Or close the wall up with our English dead.
In peace there's nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility,
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger.
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favoured rage.
Then lend the eye a terrible aspect,
Let pry through the portage of the head
Like the brass cannon, let the brow o'erwhelm it (simile)
As fearfully as doth a galled rock
O'erhang and jutty his confounded base,
Swilled with the wild and wasteful ocean.
Now set the teeth and stretch the nostril wide,
Hold hard the breath, and bend up every spirit
To his full height. On, on, you noblest English,
Whose blood is fet from fathers of war-proof,
Fathers that like so many Alexanders
Have in these parts from morn till even fought
And sheathed their swords for lack of argument.
Dishonor not your mothers; now attest
That those whom you called fathers did beget you.
Be copy now to men of grosser blood,
And teach them how to war. And you, good yeomen,
Whose limbs were made in England, show us here
The mettle of your pasture; let us swear
That you are worth your breeding- which I doubt not,
For there is none of you so mean and base
That hath not noble lustre in your eyes.
I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips,
Straining upon the start. The game's afoot.
Follow your spirit, and upon this chargeCry 'God for Harry, England, and Saint George!'

The Merchant of Venice: Act IV sc i - Portia

Summary: In this scene Portia is pleading to Shylock for the life of Antonio. Antonio is responsible for the debt that Bassanio owes Shylock. Bassanio is Portia's partner and needed money to be with Portia. When Bassanio borrowed the money the punishment for failure to pay back the money on time was 'a pound of flesh' which would cause certain death. Bassanio didn't pay the debt back in time and now Shylock wants his 'pound of flesh' from Antonio. Portia is trying to get Shylock to change his mind and see the virtue of being merciful.


Find and highlight these techniques in the speech:
metaphor
alliteration
repetition

Answer the following questions using quotes where applicable:

How does Portia describe mercy? How important and powerful is it?


Portia describes mercy as "gentle rain from the heaven" meaning that it is a gift that is given from God and is noble for one to give mercy upon another person.

What can one achieve through mercy?


The one who gives mercy is the "mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes the throned monarch better than the crown" meaning that one can achieve righteousness and respect from giving mercy upon someone being kingly or a monarch who is better than his crown.

How is religion part of this speech? (You need to do some thinking on this one.)


God is mentioned throughout the speech and the use of monarchs in "the throned monarch better than his crown" and suggesting that mercy is a gift from the heavens "mercy is not strain'd it droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven"


PORTIA

The quality of mercy is not strain'd, (easy to give mercy)
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven (simile mercy from God, mercy=God)
Upon the place beneath: it is twice blest;
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes: (parallel structure)
'Tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes (the greatest gives mercy)
The throned monarch better than his crown;
His sceptre shows the force of temporal power, (temporary power)
The attribute to awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;
But mercy is above this sceptred sway; (scepter represents power on earth)
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings,
It is an attribute to God himself; (Theme of the verse)
And earthly power doth then show likest God's
When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew,
Though justice be thy plea, consider this,
That, in the course of justice, none of us
Should see salvation: we do pray for mercy;
And that same prayer doth teach us all to render
The deeds of mercy. I have spoke thus much
To mitigate the justice of thy plea;
Which if thou follow, this strict court of Venice
Must needs give sentence 'gainst the merchant there.