Subject: SF Criticism
Terms used in the criticism or discussion of science fiction, e.g. names of genres or tropes.
| Word | Definition |
|---|---|
| mundane adj. 2 (2004) | denoting a subgenre of science fiction characterized by a rejection of themes considered scientifically implausible (as faster-than-light travel, alternate universes, etc.) |
| near-future adj. (1954) | denoting a subgenre of science fiction set in a future recognizably similar to a contemporary setting, having only moderate differences in technology |
| Nebula n. (1966) | any of several awards given annually by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America for excellence in science fiction and fantasy writing |
| New Wave n. (1968) | a loose movement in science fiction writing from the mid-1960s to mid-1970s, characterized by an experimental approach to narrative structures and language and an emphasis on nuanced social, moral, or psychological conflict rather than on technological concerns |
| New Weird n. (2002) | a genre that incorporates elements of fantasy, science fiction, and horror, typically in a complex urban setting |
| non-genre adj. (1975) | not science fiction, fantasy, or horror; = mainstream adj. |
| novum n. (1972) | a scientific (rather than supernatural or fantastic) element in a work that demonstrates that the work takes place in a world different from our own, thus establishing that the work should be regarded as science fiction |
| off-trail adj. (1933) | (of a story, esp. one that is not easily categorized) fantastic or science-fictional |
| Orwellian n. (1971) | an admirer of the works and ideas of George Orwell |
| Orwellian adj. (1949) | characteristic or suggestive of the writings of George Orwell, esp. of the totalitarian state depicted in his dystopian account of the future, Nineteen Eighty-four (1949) |
| planetary romance n. (1978) | a subgenre of science fiction that focuses on adventures taken on a planet's surface, especially in which the description of the planet is integral to the story; a work in this subgenre |
| post-apocalypse adj. (1968) | = post-apocalyptic adj. |
| post-apocalyptic adj. (1960) | pertaining to a time or setting after the collapse of civilization |
| postcyberpunk adj. (1989) | of or pertaining a subgenre of science fiction that employs some of cyberpunk's themes, especially the exploration of the effects of a high rate of technological change on society, but rejects the alienation and dystopianism of cyberpunk |
| postholocaust adj. (1962) | = post-apocalyptic adj. |
| primary world n. (1947) | the real world, as opposed to the secondary world of a work of fiction |
| problem story n. (1941) | a story concerned primarily with the resolution of a (technical) problem |
| proto-cyberpunk n. (1986) | a writer of proto-cyberpunk works |
| proto-cyberpunk adj. (1987) | of or relating to works that prefigure the themes of cyberpunk n. 1; cf. postcyberpunk adj. |
| proto-science fiction n. (1962) | literary works, written before the establishment of science fiction as a recognized genre, that prefigure the themes of science fiction, especially ones involving fantastic voyages or technological innovations |
| pseudo-science n. (1927) | = science fiction n. 2 |
| pseudo-scientific adj. (1880) | of or relating to pseudo-science; science fictional adj. |
| pulp science fiction n. (1939) | science fiction published in the pulp magazines of the earlyโmid twentieth century; any science fiction regarded as being characteristic of these magazines, esp. in being action-driven or based on clichรฉd ideas, plots, or characterizations |
| science fantasy n. 1 (1931) | = science fiction n. 2; a work in this genre |
| science fantasy n. 2 (1932) | = imaginative fiction |
| science fantasy n. 3 (1948) | a genre which combines elements of science fiction and fantasy; a work in this genre |
| science fantasy n. 4 (1950) | a genre of science fiction characterized by phenomena which are thought to be scientifically impossible (such as time travel or ftl drives); soft science fiction n.; (also) a work in this genre |
| science fiction n. 1 (1897) | a work of science fiction n. 2 |
| science fiction n. 2 (1898) | a genre (of fiction, film, etc.) in which the plot or setting features speculative scientific or technological advances or differences |
| science fictional adj. (1932) | being, pertaining to, or characteristic of science fiction n. 2 |
| science-fictionality n. (1977) | the condition or quality of being science fictional adj.; (of a work of fiction) being science-fictional |
| science-fictionalized adj. (1950) | that has been made science fictional adj. in character |
| science-fictionally adv. (1936) | in the manner of science fiction n. 2 |
| science-fictioner n. (1949) | a science fiction film or TV show |
| science-fictionish adj. (1940) | being, resembling, or reminiscent of science fiction n. 2 |
| science-fictionist n. (1929) | a writer or aficionado of science fiction n. 2 |
| science fictiony adj. (1957) | characteristic of science fiction n. 2; resembling something which might exist in a work of science fiction; futuristic |
| science-fictive adj. (1953) | relating to or characteristic of science fiction n. 2; science fictional adj. |
| scientific fiction n. (1876) | = science fiction n. 2 |
| scientific romance n. (1873) | proto-science fiction written in the late 19th and early 20th centuries (especially in Britain), exemplified by H.G. Wells; in later use, science fiction that is similar in style or approach; also, a work of this kind |
| scientifiction n. (1916) | = science fiction n. 2 |
| scientifictional adj. (1929) | being, pertaining to, or characteristic of scientifiction n. |
| scientifictionally adv. (1933) | in a scientifictional manner; towards scientifictional subjects or interests |
| scientifictionist n. (1929) | a fan or writer of science fiction n. 2 |
| sci-fi n. (1953) | abbreviation of science fiction n. 2 |
| sci-fic n. (1933) | abbreviation of science fiction n. 2 |
| secondary world n. (1947) | the setting of a work of fantasy where this setting is different from the real world, but is internally consistent; cf. primary world n. |
| sensawunda n. (1961) | = sense of wonder n. |
| sense of wonder n. (1936) | a feeling of awakening or awe brought on by an expansion of oneโs awareness of what may be possible; the primary emotional experience of reading science fiction n. 2; see also sensawunda n. |
| sf n. (1929) | = science fiction n. 2 |