Narrative elements in sci-fi and the applicability of narration in texts for public disclosure and awareness of Science: a study based on 2001: a space odyssey

Author(s)

Guilherme Augusto Caruso Profeta

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Estudos da Linguagem
• Defense date: 2017-03-16

Examining board members

Maria das Graças Conde Caldas; Alfredo Luiz Paes de Oliveira Suppia; Susana Oliveira Dias

• Advisor: Maria das Graças Conde Caldas

Abstract

Structuring our thoughts as narratives is a tendency of human communication which allows us to understand the world and spread all forms of knowledge. This study covers the narrative process ¿ from the human eagerness to organize the world in linear events with a beginning, middle, and an ending, to the categorization of narratives in true reports or fables, and the established relationship between author and reader ¿ thus leading to the discussion of ways to apply narrative resources from literary texts into texts for the public disclosure and awareness of Science, Technology and Innovation (ST&I). Based on this theoretical framework, this study applies the Pragmatic Analysis of Narratives, as defined by Motta (2005), to the classic work of Arthur C. Clarke, 2001: A Space Odyssey (CLARKE, 2013), whose original edition came out during the late 60s, intending to analyze how narrative elements (such as the plot, conflicts, characters, communicative strategies, signs of the cognitive contract, and the grand narrative) work in fiction, and how they can be applied to journalism specialization in ST&I. We conclude that applying certain narrative elements typically found in fictional literary texts ¿ such as presenting the plot from certain points of view chosen in order to manage the rising tension, making conscious use of communicative strategies of subjectivation, building characters with archetypical references, among others ¿ could be an alternative to the conventionally structured journalistic texts. Such strategy may possibly contribute to raise readers¿ interest in ST&I (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/00073-3 - Public understanding of science in fiction: elements of narrativity within 2001: A space odissey
• Grantee: Guilherme Augusto Caruso Profeta
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master