Subject: SF Criticism
Terms used in the criticism or discussion of science fiction, e.g. names of genres or tropes.
| Word | Definition |
|---|---|
| low fantasy n. (1973) | a subgenre of fantasy set in our primary world; fantasy in which magical or supernatural elements appear in an otherwise normal world |
| mad scientist n. (1883) | a scientist who is insane or eccentric, esp. so as to be dangerous or evil: a stock figure of melodramatic horror stories |
| mainstream adj. (1953) | belonging to or characteristic of the dominant or traditional literary modes, especially representational fiction |
| manga n. (1951) | a Japanese genre of cartoons and comic books, typically drawn in a meticulously detailed style, usually featuring characters with distinctive large, staring eyes, sometimes including violent or sexually explicit material |
| Mary Sue n. (1976) | a (fan fiction) story featuring an unrealistically idealized character (esp. a young woman), typically perceived as being based on the author; (also) this type of character in such a story |
| military science fiction n. (1977) | a subgenre of science fiction that focuses on the military and warfare, esp. set in outer space or on other worlds |
| military SF n. (1978) | = military science fiction n. |
| MilSF n. (1994) | = military science fiction n. |
| Miskatonic adj. (1941) | = Lovecraftian adj.; of or relating to the works of H. P. Lovecraft and his school, or (broadly) to horror in general |
| 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. (1973) | not science fiction, fantasy, or horror; = mainstream adj.; (also) of or relating to such works |
| 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 |
| post-cyberpunk adj. (1988) | 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; (also) a proto-cyberpunk protagonist |
| proto-cyberpunk adj. (1987) | of or relating to works that prefigure the themes of cyberpunk n. 1; cf. post-cyberpunk 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 early–mid twentieth century; any science fiction regarded as being characteristic of these magazines, esp. in being action-driven or based on clichéd ideas, plots, or characterizations |
| Raygun Gothic n. (1981) | a retrofuturistic aesthetic and architectural style associated with mid-20th century design |
| retro-futurism n. (1988) | (the use of) a style or aesthetic considered futuristic in an earlier era, typically having both retro and futuristic elements |
| retro-futurist adj. (1981) | = retro-futuristic adj. |
| retro-futuristic adj. (1983) | having both retro and futuristic elements; of or resembling a style or aesthetic considered futuristic in an earlier era |
| romantasy n. (2008) | a subgenre that combines elements of romance and fantasy, as by featuring a romantic narrative occurring in a fantasy setting; a work in this subgenre |
| 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 (1940) | 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 fiction adj. (1911) | of, relating to, or characteristic of science fiction n. 2 |
| 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 |