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Science Fiction Original Story-Creative writing

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

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Essay – Exploring Ancient Mysteries

Assignment 1: Essay – Exploring Ancient Mysteries
Due Week 4 and worth 100 points
Choose one (1) of the topics below and develop a three to four (3-4) paragraph essay (of at least 250-500 words) which adequately address the topic you have chosen.
Topic Choices
There have been many theories regarding how the pyramids at Giza were constructed. Most experts agree that they were constructed as burial monuments for pharaohs, but “how” these ancient people constructed monuments of such great size without modern machinery is a mystery which is still being debated.
No one can say for certain what happened to the great urban Mayan civilization, but theories abound and include varied possible alternatives to explain the relatively abrupt and mysterious disappearance of the Mayan civilization.
Tutankhamen died young, at approximately eighteen (18) years of age. However, his cause of death has been the subject of quite varied scholarly theories and conclusions. Did he die of an injury, of illness, of murder, or something else?.
Minoan Crete was a major civilization in its time, but several theories have been advanced to explain its demise, including speculations associating it with mythical Atlantis. What were the causes of Minoan Civilization’s decline?
Great Zimbabwe is an enormous complex of structures in East Africa. Since the builders and occupants left no written records, several theories have developed as to the identity of its builders and the functions of the structures. Which theory makes the most sense?
The monumental size and complexity of the Tomb of Shihuangdi is astounding, yet its location and construction details were to be kept secret. What was the emperor’s purpose for such an elaborate, secret burial place?
Other topic choice recommended and approved by the professor and supported by the grading rubric.
Write a three to four (3-4) paragraph paper in which you:
Clearly state the “mystery” and provide a brief summary of at least two (2) reasonable and scholarly theories which could explain the mystery. Because some theories may sound far-fetched, include the source or promoter of each theory – such as a scientist, a historian, a theologian, etc.
After summarizing at least two (2) scholarly theories, identify one (1) of the theories as the most plausible and provide at least two (2) convincing reasons why the theory you have chosen is the best one to explain the mystery. This will involve some critical reasoning skills on your part.
Use at least two (2) sources plus the class textbook. (Three [3] sources total as the minimum) Note: Wikipedia and other similar Websites do not qualify as academic resources. You are highly encouraged to use the Resource Center tab at the top of your Blackboard page.
Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:
Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA style format. Both in-text citations and a References list are required. Citations and references must follow APA style format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions. (Note: Students can find APA style materials located in the course shell for guidance).
Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length. For our purposes, you may omit any abstract page.
The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:
Explain how key social, cultural, and artistic contributions contribute to historical changes.
Explain the importance of situating a society’s cultural and artistic expressions within a historical context.
Examine the influences of intellectual, religious, political, and socio-economic forces on social, cultural, and artistic expressions.
Identify major historical developments in world cultures during the eras of antiquity to the Renaissance
Use technology and information resources to research issues in the study of world cultures.
Write clearly and concisely about world cultures using proper writing mechanics.