Characteristics of Science Fiction Novels

Speculation

• According to John DeNardo of SF Signal, within every science fiction story, there is at least one "speculative element." Orson Scott Card describes this as the experimental part of writing sci-fi. These terms refer to the exploration of an idea based on science fact or speculation of what could be if only a specific condition were to occur. This element can be something minor, such as in the common theme of a time traveling device, or it can encompass the entire setting, as in stories that occur in parallel universes or on different worlds.
  
  

Believability

• No matter how unreal or alien the speculative element may be within a story, it is a given fact within the universe in which the author has written. Once established, that element is taken for granted as real to the characters, but only so long as the rest of the story maintains reasonable continuity. Science fiction stories, except for the aspects of speculation, must adhere to the normal bounds of the rest of the known universe. By establishing the laws of the story's universe early on, readers can suspend their disbelief to enjoy the exploration of the given subject.
  
  

Science

• The stories must include some aspect of the sciences, and the exploration of the main topic or its speculation must relate to science. For example, a character might call forth a bolt of electricity from the sky, but if he did so with a piece of technology or using scientific knowledge, it falls into the science fiction category. However, if that same character took the same action without a scientific or technological aspect to produce the lightning, it would be considered magic, which falls into the fantasy genre. The nature of writing about potential science has inspired real inventors to design and develop real technology based on fiction, as was seen with Robert A. Heinlein's description of a hydraulic bed, which inspired the creation of the waterbed.
  
  

Social Message

• Thanks to the vague adherence to a necessary scientific and explorative element, sci-fi allows for a broad range of speculative fiction that tackles both classic images of rockets, space travel, time travel and aliens, as well as considerations of technology or science upon societies. Science fiction frequently explores the social ramifications of utilizing a new scientific discovery and what it means to be considered a person or to have humanity. The genre can provide warnings, inspire hope and curiosity, or suggest solutions to problems modern societies face.