Speculative fiction
What is speculative fiction?
The term ‘speculative fiction’ is a broad genre that includes any fiction that deliberately parts from imitating reality and instead focuses on possible futures involving elements like advanced technology, supernatural creatures or fantastical elements.
The magical school in the Harry Potter series where students learn to become wizards.
Hogwarts
Focused on space exploration, advanced technology, and scientific discovery.
Influenced by rapid technological advancements and a fascination with space and the future.
The golden age of science fiction.
This 1985 film starring Michael J. Fox features a teenager traveling back to the 1950s to meet his parents.
Back to the future.
Speculative fiction often includes vivid and imaginative descriptions to bring imagined futures to life with everyday objects, characters, or settings that symbolise larger ideas or themes.
imaginery and symbolism
This type of fiction explores futuristic advancements, like robots and space travel.
science fiction
In __________, ________ travels to this whimsical world, where she encounters strange creatures like the Cheshire Cat and the Mad Hatter.
Alice in Wonderland.
Emphasis on literary style, psychological depth, and social critique.
Influenced by countercultural movements, civil rights, and the Vietnam War.
The new wave
what is the description of alternate history?
Explores historical events with different outcomes or altered timelines.
The creation of intricate and immersive worlds with their own rules, geographies, and histories, or unique societies with distinct cultures, technologies, political systems, and social structures.
world-building
This term refers to exploring historical events with different outcomes or altered timelines.
Alternate history
This science fiction film, directed by Christopher Nolan, explores the nature of alternate realities through the concept of tesseracts and other dimensions.
Interstellar.
Influenced by economic constraints of the Great Depression and a desire for escapism. Stories published in inexpensive magazines featuring sensationalist and action-packed narratives.
Pulp era
what are key elements of alternate history?
‘What if’ scenarios, historical figures in changed circumstances, and reimagined historical settings.
Texts might reimagine historical events with different outcomes or speculate on future societal, technological, or environmental changes. This often serves as a reflection of current societal issues.
what if scenarios
Blends magical elements with a realistic narrative, treating the extra-ordinary as a natural part of everyday life.
Magical realism
In this 2009 film directed by James Cameron, humans explore the lush, alien world of Pandora, where they encounter the indigenous Na'vi, a race of blue-skinned, tall humanoids. What is the name of this groundbreaking science fiction fantasy film?
Avatar
Feminism and diverse voices.
In many speculative fiction stories, this is a common element where characters travel between different worlds or dimensions.
The creation of intricate and immersive worlds with their own rules, geographies, and histories, or unique societies with distinct cultures, technologies, political systems, and social structures.
Invented languages.
This ancient Greek epic features fantastical elements such as gods, mythical creatures, and supernatural events as it follows Odysseus's journey home after the Trojan War.
The odyssey
The Game of Thrones series is set in this fictional continent, home to various noble houses and dragons.
Westeros.
Cyberpunk.
This speculative concept is often used in time travel stories, where actions in the past can alter the present or future.
This concept in speculative fiction refers to a universe that is different from our own but runs parallel to it.
Parallel universe