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Science Fiction Definitions

Science fiction is a genre of speculative fiction that explores imagined elements such as time travel and space exploration, often reflecting on the consequences of scientific advancements. It dates back to the second century, with notable early works and has since evolved into various sub-genres like hard sci-fi, soft sci-fi, and others. Classic elements of sci-fi include aliens, teleportation, and speculative technology, all of which serve to explore complex societal themes and ideas.

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22 views2 pages

Science Fiction Definitions

Science fiction is a genre of speculative fiction that explores imagined elements such as time travel and space exploration, often reflecting on the consequences of scientific advancements. It dates back to the second century, with notable early works and has since evolved into various sub-genres like hard sci-fi, soft sci-fi, and others. Classic elements of sci-fi include aliens, teleportation, and speculative technology, all of which serve to explore complex societal themes and ideas.

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Science fiction is a genre of speculative fiction that contains imagined elements that don’t exist in the

real world. Science fiction spans a wide range of themes that often explore time travel, space travel,
are set in the future, and deal with the consequences of technological and scientific advances

The science fiction genre dates back to the second century. A True Story, written by the Syrian satirist
Lucian, is thought to be the first sci-fi story, which explored other universes and extraterrestrial
lifeforms. Modern science developed during the Age of Enlightenment, and writers reacted to
scientific and technological advancements with a wave of sci-fi stories like New Atlantis by Francis
Bacon (1627), Somnium by Johannes Kepler (1634), and Comical History of the States and Empires of
the Moon by Cyrano de Bergerac (1657).

Science fiction is divided into two broad categories: Hard sci-fi and soft sci-fi.

Hard sci-fi novels are based on scientific fact. They’re inspired by “hard” natural sciences like physics,
chemistry, and astronomy.
Soft sci-fi novels can be two things: Either they are not scientifically accurate or they’re inspired by
“soft” social sciences like psychology, anthropology, and sociology.
The terms are somewhat flexible, but they help readers quickly understand the foundation of a novel
and what to expect from it.

1. Fantasy fiction: Sci-fi stories inspired by mythology and folklore that often include elements of
magic.
2. Supernatural fiction: Sci-fi stories about secret knowledge or hidden abilities that include
witchcraft, spiritualism, and psychic abilities.
3. Utopian fiction: Sci-fi stories about civilizations the authors deem to be perfect, ideal societies.
Utopian fiction is often satirical.
4. Dystopian fiction: Sci-fi stories about societies the authors deem to be problematic for things like
government rules, poverty, or oppression.
5. Space opera: A play on the term “soap opera,” sci-fi stories that take place in outer space and
center around conflict, romance, and adventure.
6. Space western: Sci-fi stories that blend elements of science fiction with elements of the western
genre.
7. Cyberpunk: Sci-fi stories that juxtapose advanced technology with less advanced, broken down
society.
8. Steampunk: Sci-fi stories that blend technology with steam-powered machinery.

Science fiction is often called the “literature of ideas.” Sci-fi novels include a wide variety of futuristic
concepts. Since they’re so imaginative, anything is possible, especially in soft sci-fi novels. A sci-fi
novel can be about space, time travel, aliens, or time-traveling aliens in space.

Regardless of the setting and characters, all sci-fi stories are complex, contain nuanced detail, and
explore larger themes and commentary—sometimes satirically—about society beneath the surface.

The classic elements of a science fiction novel include:


Time travel
Teleportation
Mind control, telepathy, and telekinesis
Aliens, extraterrestrial lifeforms, and mutants
Space travel and exploration
Interplanetary warfare
Parallel universes
Fictional worlds
Alternative histories
Speculative technology
Superintelligent computers and robots

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