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Characteristics of Science Fiction Literature

Science Fiction is a very specific genre, only related closely to the fantasy genre, to which the similarities have increased over the years intimating their relationship. However, as the title suggests the plot generally tends to lean towards scientific fact, although these are embellished and altered.

The good science fiction writer will lead their audience to believe that there is a scientific base for their complete fiction. General characteristics of traditional science fiction literature will include the introduction of alien life forms, alien locations, alien invasions and alien abductions. However, in modern literature, it is not just the tales of alien forms that comprise this genre; societies post-nuclear war and the mutation of animals are also included.

It is safe to say that any subject alien to normality could be a feature of modern day science fiction. Another feature of modern science fiction is the expansion of media outlets, for instance the introduction of computer games is a relatively new outlet having only been introduced in the past thirty years.

Consequently, with the introduction of the Internet, and its current mainstream use over the past fifteen years the outlet for science fiction has expanded yet further. Gone are the days where the only place an individual could escape into fiction was through tangibly printed literature, we are living in the millennium with multiple outlets for escapism. Included in these, printed literature is still a thriving business, however with digital literature, television, computer games and radio there are more outlets than ever for the population to enjoy.

Observing further the locations of science fiction stories, as having already mentioned any location alien to the norm could be a possible science fiction base. Another characteristic of a science fiction location is isolation; it is probable that wherever it is based is isolated from modern society, through either altering the society or locating the literature away from it usually with a substantial obstacle between the two.

An example of this could be the deserted island location, which has been a feature in multiple science fiction stories usually home to a race of dinosaurs. The location for this genre is generally completely alien to the normalities of society, allowing the reader to escape completely into a truly fictional world. Although these locations are not necessarily the most desirable of

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