THE 3 PARTS OF A SCIENCE FICTION STORY - LITERATURE - 2025

The three main parts of a science fiction story are the introduction, knot, and descent. Like any narrative text, this structure is the most basic and effective one that allows the receiver to become familiar with the elements and become interested in the story.

However, a more detailed analysis of these stages would serve to observe the specific characteristics of this type of science fiction structure.

Science fiction is based on the creation of fictions where it is speculated on technological advances, undiscovered knowledge and how people respond to these advances.

It is a very popular genre that has been able to transcend literature and has come to establish itself in other artistic manifestations such as cinema.

Main parts of the science fiction tale

All narrative texts have a basic structure that includes a beginning, a middle and a close. However, these parts can develop certain peculiarities depending on the type of narration.

In the case of science fiction stories, the structure is subordinate to the general idea that you want to tell and the different events that complicate the characters. For this reason, a climax or high point of the narrative should be incorporated into this structure.

Introduction or approach

This first part has the function of presenting the universe where the actions of the story take place, as well as the characters. In science fiction, it is the ideal time to establish the rules of that world.

If it is a fiction that takes place in space, you have to talk about the particular characteristics of the planet or the spacecraft. If it takes place in the future, it is necessary to count the advance or retreat of civilization.

If it is a journey through time, you have to explain the reasons and the encounter with individuals from another era. Also, the characters have to respond to the rules of those places.

Usually, a kind of prologue is used that can summarize or explain the background of the events that are happening in history.

Knot, complication or approach

After introducing the setting and characters, the story should move forward. For this reason, a series of problems and complications arise that the protagonist or protagonists must solve.

These complications forge the character of the characters and represent the path to a much greater and demanding challenge. The protagonist must overcome this series of tests to face the final conflict.

In the case of science fiction, these small crises can take the form of stations where the characters must move, whether they are planets, regions or different times.

Climax

The climax of a story is represented by the highest point of narrative tension. It is the final challenge, the greatest complication for which the hero has been learning and maturing.

In science fiction the climax can be represented by the most powerful villain, a surprise revelation, or a last minute accident.

Resolution, close or downgrade

Once the climax has been reached and the final test passed, the narrative has to reorganize its pieces and find a closure so that the story closes and is coherent and satisfactory. Characters can get a reward or go home.

Science fiction quite often tries to exploit the proposed universes to the maximum. In light of that, it's not uncommon for stories to expand through prequels or sequels.

In that case, the descent has to leave one or more doors open so that the argument can continue.

References

1. Bacon, Candace (2016). How to Write A Science Fiction Short Story. Retrieved on November 20, 2017 from hobbylark.com.
2. Ball, Mark (2011). Four-Part Story Structure Explained. Retrieved on November 20, 2017 from scifiideas.com.
3. Duke, Paige (2014). 4 Things Every Good Sci-fi Story Needs. Retrieved on November 20, 2017 from standoutbooks.com.
4. Kieffer, Kristen (2015). 3 Awesome Plot Structures For Building Bestsellers. Retrieved on November 20, 2017 from well-storied.com.
5. Scott Card, Orson (2010). The 4 Story Structures that Dominate Novels. Retrieved on November 20, 2017 from writersdigest.com.