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Outline of science fiction

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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] 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

Further information: Category:Science fiction genres

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
  • Soft science fiction—focus on human characters and their relations and feelings, while de-emphasizing the details of technological hardware and physical laws

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:

Science fiction by country

Further information: Category:Science fiction writers by nationality

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 elements in science fiction

Plot devices in science fiction

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

Style elements in science fiction

Works of science fiction

Science fiction art

Science fiction games

Science fiction computer games

Science fiction role-playing games

Science fiction literature

Science fiction novels

Science fiction short stories

Venues for science fiction short stories

Science fiction video

Science fiction radio

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

Nationality-specific awards

Themed awards

New artists / first works

Career awards

Persons influential in science fiction

Creators of science fiction

Science fiction artists

Science fiction filmmakers

Creators of science fiction literature

Science fiction scholars

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. Retrieved 17 July 2010. {{cite encyclopedia}}: |work= ignored (help)
  4. ^ Marg Gilks; Paula Fleming; Moira Allen (2003). "Science Fiction: The Literature of Ideas". WritingWorld.com. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |last-author-amp= ignored (|name-list-style= suggested) (help)
  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. ^ http://www.locusmag.com/SFAwards/index.html
  7. ^ SRSFF
  8. ^ srsff.ro
  9. ^ Silver, Steven H. (1 October 2003) "First Annual Norton Awards Presented" SF Site News, last accessed 20 October 2010
  10. ^ Science Fiction & Fantasy Translation Awards, official website
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