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4. Isaac Asimov, ‘ Nightfall ’. This 1941 short story, written while Asimov was still only in his early twenties, is widely regarded as one of the greatest science-fiction short stories of all time. Indeed, in 1968 the Science Fiction Writers of America voted it the best science fiction short story written before 1965.
- Science Fiction
Although Bradbury preferred to describe himself as a...
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Stories A Summary and Analysis of the Trojan Horse Myth. by...
- Science Fiction
- Alien: Alien is a word that has long been used to refer to something foreign, but when did it become the go-to term for a being from another planet?
- Android: Long before the invention of the word "robot," humans dreamed of mechanical beings. Clockwork artisans would construct all manner of automata—birds that flap their wings, monks that shuffle in silent prayer, dolls that pretend to serve tea or play the dulcimer.
- Ansible: Ursula K. Le Guin coined this word for a device for instantaneous communication across the vast distances of space in her 1966 novel Rocannon's World.
- Beam: While the word "beam" evokes visions of Captain Kirk saying, "Beam me up, Scotty," beam already refers to the transport of matter in the "Matter Transmitter" entry in the 1951 Dictionary of Science Fiction.
Even if the thing that thrills you feels original, it’s likely rooted in a sci-fi trope—a storytelling element repeated across countless science-fiction stories. Like most commercial fiction, sci-fi is filled with tropes like the obsessive creator, interspecies romance, and lovable space pirates. And yet, you can use these ideas in your own ...
- Abi Wurdeman
- Space Tropes
- Alien Tropes
- Apocalyptic Tropes
- Science Fiction Civilization Tropes
- Military & Superhero Tropes
- Robot Tropes
- Alternate History and Time Travel Tropes
- Sci-Fi Technology Tropes
- Human Resources Tropes
- How to Use Science Fiction Tropes
Space sci-fi is often the first subgenre people think of when they hear “science fiction.” Sci-fi movies and TV shows like Interstellar and Star Trekhave a huge fanbase. Science fiction tropes set in space may involve space voyages, colonization, and exploration. Here are some of our favorite space tropes. 1. Terraforming a new planet to make it ha...
Aliens in science fiction are such a big subject that we decided to group them separately from space tropes. Everything from first contact to advanced alien civilizations remain popular storylines. Be mindful of outdated alien tropes that are thinly veiled racism and sexism. Refrain from making “different colored” aliens an oppressed group, an inte...
Not all apocalypse stories fall under the sci-fi umbrella, but many do. When science plays a big part in either the cause of the apocalypse or the post-apocalyptic world, we can consider it a piece of science fiction. Here are a few apocalyptic sci-fi tropes: 1. Apocalypse caused by an alien attack or invasion 2. A mutant virus or bacteria wipes ou...
The fictional worlds in science fictionare always fun to escape into—even if you wouldn’t want to live there yourself! Civilizations can range from dystopian to utopian in science fiction. Similar to apocalyptic fiction, not every dystopian story is sci-fi. They instead might fall under a larger genre of speculative fiction. But in many dystopian s...
Military sci-fi is a common subgenre. Often, superhero stories will fall into this category, although some superhero stories are more fantasy or science fantasy. For sci-fi superhero tropes, think of genetic engineering plots like in Captain America. Because these two subgenres often go hand in hand, we’ve listed the military and superhero sci-fi t...
Robots are another popular feature in sci-fi movies and books. Robot technology is compelling because it’s already in the realm of possibility. Robot science fiction often asks, “What comes next?” Robots and types of artificial intelligence are also a great way to explore what it means to be human. This is a common literary theme, and many sci-fi t...
Alternate history can be several subgenres in science fiction. Steampunk, solar punk, and cyber punk often fall under alternate history, and so do parallel worlds. Time travel is a tricky subject in sci-fi because the science doesn’t always seem plausible. But there are some incredible time travel sci-fi movies, TV shows, and books out there that m...
Most of the science fiction tropes we’ve covered have at least some major element of technology. But sci-fi technology ideas are endless. In science fiction, technology can be something that helps the protagonist or it can create conflict for them. Some writers also use sci-fi to explore themes around the dangers of technology. We’ve gathered a few...
Human resources tropes refer to taking body parts or energy from humans. Sometimes it’s from living humans, while other times it’s from dead or dying humans. These tropes often show up in sci-fi horror, weird sci-fi, or post-apocalyptic stories. Books with human resources storylines are often dark with a heavy dose of social or political commentary...
Many of these tropes probably sound familiar if you’re a fan of the sci-fi genre. In fact, you can probably think of at least one book, movie, or show that features each of these tropes. But that doesn’t mean you can’t use them. These are tropes because they are used repeatedly within various subgenres, and fans love them. You can offer a fresh per...
Jan 14, 2023 · Ultrawave – a hypothetical energy field that can be used for propulsion or communication in science fiction stories. Universal Translator – a hypothetical device that can translate any language instantly. Unobtainium – a fictional material that is extremely valuable or rare, often used as a plot device in science fiction stories.
Plants in Science Fiction is the first-ever collected volume on plants in science fiction. Its original essays argue that plant life in SF is transforming our attitudes toward morality, politics, economics, and cultural life at large; erecting – and dismantling – new visions of utopian and dystopian futures. Preview. Amazon.
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May 10, 2018 · Within the science-fiction community, however, a sharp difference of opinion exists about Bradbury’s contributions. A sizable segment sees his work as reactionary, antitechnological, and antiutopian. As one of these critics put it, Bradbury is a science-fiction writer for people who do not really like science fiction.
