Outline of science fiction

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to science fiction:

Science fiction – a genre of fiction dealing with the impact of imagined innovations in science or technology, often in a futuristic setting.[1][2][3] or depicting space exploration. Exploring the consequences of such innovations is the traditional purpose of science fiction, making it a "literature of ideas".[4]

What is science fiction?
Main article: Science fiction
  • Definitions of science fiction: Science fiction includes such a wide range of themes and subgenres that it is notoriously difficult to define.[5] Accordingly, there have been many definitions offered.

Science fiction is a type of:

  • Fiction – form of narrative which deals, in part or in whole, with events that are not factual, but rather, imaginary and invented by its author(s). Although fiction often describes a major branch of literary work, it is also applied to theatrical, cinematic, and musical work.
    • Genre fiction – fictional works (novels, short stories) written with the intent of fitting into a specific literary genre in order to appeal to readers and fans already familiar with that genre. Also known as popular fiction.
    • Speculative fiction
  • Genre – science fiction is a genre of fiction.

Genres of science fiction

Science fiction genre – while science fiction is a genre of fiction, a science fiction genre is a subgenre within science fiction. Science fiction may be divided along any number of overlapping axes. Gary K. Wolfe's Critical Terms for Science Fiction and Fantasy identifies over 30 subdivisions of science fiction, not including science fantasy (which is a mixed genre).

Science

Genres concerning the emphasis, accuracy, and type of science described include:

  • Hard science fiction—a particular emphasis on scientific detail and/or accuracy.
  • Mundane science fiction—a subgenre of hard sci-fi which sets stories on Earth or the Solar System using current or plausible technology.
  • Soft science fiction—focus on human characters and their relations and feelings, often exploring psychology or sociology, while de-emphasizing the details of technological hardware and physical laws. In some cases, science and technology are depicted without much concern for accuracy.

Characteristics
Main article: List of science fiction themes

Themes related to science, technology, space and the future, as well as characteristic plots or settings include:

Movements

Genres concerning politics, philosophy, and identity movements include:

Eras

Genres concerning the historical era of creation and publication include:

  • Scientific romance — an archaic name for what is now known as the science fiction genre, mostly associated with the early science fiction of the United Kingdom.
  • Pulp science fiction
  • Golden Age of Science Fiction — a period of the 1940s during which the science fiction genre gained wide public attention and many classic science fiction stories were published.
  • New Wave science fiction — characterised by a high degree of experimentation, both in form and in content.
  • Cyberpunk — noted for its focus on "high tech, low life" and taking its name from the combination of cybernetics and punk.

Combinations
Main articles: Genre fiction and Mixed genre

Genres that combine two different fiction genres or use a different fiction genre's mood or style include:

  • Alternate history science fiction—fiction set in a world in which history has diverged from history as it is generally known
  • Comic science fiction
  • Science fiction erotica
  • Adventure science fiction—science fiction adventure is similar to many genres
  • Gothic science fiction—a subgenre of science fiction that involves gothic conventions
  • New Wave science fiction—characterized by a high degree of experimentation, both in form and in content
  • Science fantasy—a mixed genre of story which contains some science fiction and some fantasy elements
  • Science fiction opera—a mixture of opera and science fiction involving empathic themes
  • Science fiction romance—fiction which has elements of both the science fiction and romance genres
  • Science fiction mystery—fiction which has elements of both the science fiction and mystery genres, encompassing Occult detective fiction and science fiction detectives
  • Science fiction Western—fiction which has elements of both the science fiction and Western genres
  • Space Western—a subgenre of science fiction that transposes themes of American Western books and film to a backdrop of futuristic space frontiers.
  • Spy-fi a subgenre of spy fiction that includes some science fiction.

Science fiction by country

History of science fiction
Main article: History of science fiction

Elements of science fiction
Further information: List of science fiction themes

Character elements in science fiction

Plot devices in science fiction
  • Hyperspace

Setting elements in science fiction

The setting is the environment in which the story takes place. Elements of setting may include culture (and its technologies), period (including the future), place (geography/astronomy), nature (physical laws, etc.), and hour. Setting elements characteristic of science fiction include:

Place

Cultural setting elements

Sex and gender in science fiction
Technology in science fiction
Main articles: Fictional technology and List of science fiction themes § Technologies

Themes in science fiction
Main article: List of science fiction themes

Works of science fiction

Science fiction art

Science fiction literature

Science fiction novels

Science fiction short stories
Venues for science fiction short stories

Science fiction video

Science fiction radio
  • Science fiction radio programs

Information sources

Science fiction in academia

Science-fiction subculture

Science-fiction awards

The science fiction genre has a number of recognition awards for authors, editors, and illustrators.[6] Awards are usually granted annually.

International awards

Major awards given in chronological order:

Nationality-specific awards
Australian
British
  • Kitschies—for speculative fiction novels published in the UK
Canadian
Chinese
Croatian
Dutch
Estonian
  • Stalker Award—for the best Estonian SF novel, given out on Estcon by Eesti Ulmeühing, the Estonian SF society.
Finnish
French
German
Israeli
Italian
Japanese
New Zealander
Pacific Northwestern
Polish
Romanian
Russian
  • Big Roscon award for outstanding contribution to science fiction[9]
Turkish

Themed awards

(Chronological)

New artists / first works awards

Career awards

People influential in science fiction

Science fiction artists

Creators of science fiction literature

Science fiction scholars

Franchises
Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim (SWCA) - From Droid Builder's Club Room

There are a number of science fiction media franchises of this type, typically encompassing media such as cinema films, TV shows, toys, and even theme parks related to the content. The highest-grossing science fiction franchise is Star Wars.

Space science fiction franchises:

See also

References
  1. "Science fiction - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary". merriam-webster.com. Retrieved 17 July 2010.
  2. "Definition of science fiction noun from Cambridge Dictionary Online: Free English Dictionary and Thesaurus". dictionary.cambridge.org. Retrieved 17 July 2010.
  3. "science fiction definition - Dictionary - MSN Encarta". encarta.msn.com. Archived from the original on 21 June 2010. Retrieved 17 July 2010.
  4. Marg Gilks; Paula Fleming & Moira Allen (2003). "Science Fiction: The Literature of Ideas". WritingWorld.com.
  5. For example, Patrick Parrinder comments that "[d]efinitions of science fiction are not so much a series of logical approximations to an elusive ideal, as a small, parasitic subgenre in themselves." Parrinder, Patrick (1980). Science Fiction: Its Criticism and Teaching. London: New Accents.
  6. "Science Fiction Awards Index". Locus Magazine.
  7. SRSFF
  8. srsff.ro
  9. "This is fiction: What is Roscon and why", mos.ru, 11 April 2017 (retrieved 15 September 2019)
  10. "Emperor Norton Award". science fiction awards database. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
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