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Science Fiction

science fiction label

 

Science Fiction is based on imagined future scientific or technological advances and major social or environmental changes, often featuring space or time travel and life on other planets.


I think that science fiction, even the corniest of it, even the most outlandish of it, no matter how badly it’s written, has a distinct therapeutic value because all of it has as its primary postulate that the world does change. I cannot overemphasize the importance of that idea.

Robert A. Heinlein,

science fiction author

Characteristics

Setting: Science Fiction is set in the near or distant future. Science Fiction stories may take place on Earth, other planets, futuristic cities, or in outer space.

 

Plot: Science Fiction imagines issues around the future or advanced technology.

 

Characters: Characters in Science Fiction stories may include ordinary humans, extraterrestrials, or robots and androids.

 

Themes: Science Fiction often provides commentary on present-day issues through a futuristic or other-worldly setting.

Subgenres

Alien Invasion: These stories imagine that intelligent extraterrestrial life is invading earth.

 

Apocalyptic Fiction: Stories of life on Earth and the struggle to survive after a global catastrophe, such as plague, natural disasters, war, or alien invasion.

 

Biopunk: Biopunk focuses on advances in biotechnology, including synthetic biology and biotech corporations.

 

Cyberpunk: Tends to focus on a "combination of lowlife and high tech" featuring advanced technological and scientific achievements, such as artificial intelligence and cybernetics, paired with a degree of breakdown or radical change in the social order.

 

Dystopian Fiction: These stories imagine a bleak and often oppressive future. Dystopian fiction often provides commentary on current issues.

 

Hard Science Fiction: Fictional stories about advanced technology or science which are intended to be as scientifically accurate as possible.

 

Superheroes: Stories featuring characters endowed with superhuman strengths or abilities.

 

Space Opera: Space Opera emphasizes large-scale stories of intergalactic warfare, adventure, and interplanetary battles.

 

Steampunk: A specific kind of alternate history in which characters have access to advanced versions of old-fashioned technology, particularly steam power.

 

Weird Fiction: Dark and unsettling stories which feature strange and uncanny events.

Authors

  • Douglas Adams
  • Gennifer Albin
  • Suzanne Collins
  • James Dashner
  • Nancy Farmer
  • Margaret Petersen Haddix
  • Fonda Lee
  • Ursula K. LeGuin
  • Alex London
  • Marie Lu
  • Kenneth Oppel
  • James Patterson
  • Philip Reeve
  • Veronica Roth
  • Neal Shusterman
  • William Sleator
  • H. G. Wells
  • Dan Wells
  • Scott Westerfeld
  • Rick Yancey
  • Timothy Zahn
  • Paul Zindel

Classic Works of Science Fiction

Science Fiction Poll

What is your favorite kind of sci-fi?
Alien Invasion: 1 votes (12.5%)
Apocalyptic Fiction: 0 votes (0%)
Biopunk: 0 votes (0%)
Cyberpunk: 1 votes (12.5%)
Dystopian: 2 votes (25%)
Hard Sci-Fi: 0 votes (0%)
Superheroes: 3 votes (37.5%)
Space Opera: 0 votes (0%)
Steampunk: 0 votes (0%)
Weird Fiction: 1 votes (12.5%)
Total Votes: 8

Notable Science Fiction

Alien Invasion

Apocalyptic Fiction

Biopunk

Cyberpunk

Dystopian Fiction

Hard Science Fiction

Space Opera

Superheroes

Steampunk

Weird Fiction

Resources

Hugo Award Winners and Nominees

Nebula Award Winners and Nominees