Genre
Definition
Important
Differences
Examples
Science Fiction
Magic Realism
Fantasy
Fiction that takes place in an altered
universe but the changes can be explained
by science. Science fiction may have
elements of dystopian societies.
Fiction that takes place in our world but
contains an element that cannot be
explained by conventions of our reality.
Fiction that takes place in a world unlike
our own, a different realm.
Stories are written with realistic elements
but they deal with imaginary elements
based on science.
Most of the elements seem normal, but
even the magical elements are treated as
if they are normal as well.
These stories are set in magical worlds
where magical creatures and beasts are
common.
Star Wars, Star Trek, Fahrenheit 451, Back
to the Future, The Hunger Games, Uglies,
Divergent
Field of Dreams, Life of Pi, Spirited Away,
The Wizard of Oz
Field of Dreams, Life of Pi, Spirited Away,
The Wizard of Oz
Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
Doctor Who series
Harry Potter series
The Chronicles of Narnia
Watership Down
Genre
Science Fiction
Characterization
 Characters that include
aliens, mutants, androids,
or humanoid robots and other types of
characters arising from a future human
evolution.
Setitng
 A time setting in the future, in alternative
timelines, or in a historical past that
contradicts known facts of history or
the archaeological record.
 A spatial setting or scenes in outer
space (e.g. spaceflight), on other worlds, or
on subterranean earth.
 Other universes or dimensions and travel
between them.
Plot
 Futuristic or plausible technology such
as ray guns, teleportation machines, and
humanoid computers.[15]
 Scientific principles that are new or that
contradict accepted physical laws, for
example time travel, wormholes, or fasterthan-light travel or communication.
 New and different political or social
systems, e.g. dystopian, post-scarcity,
or post-apocalyptic.[16]
 Paranormal abilities such as mind
control, telepathy, telekinesis, (i.e. "The
Force" in Star Wars[17]) and teleportation
Themes
 The nature of reality
 Isolation or Alienation
 Alternative histories
 Global apocalypse and end of humanity
 Artificial intelligence
Magic Realism
Characterization
 Characters accept rather than
question the logic of the magical
element.
 Inverts cause and effect, for instance
a character may suffer before a
tragedy occurs.
Setting
 Ordinary world
 Present repeats or resembles the
past
 Distorts time so that it is cyclical or
so that it appears absent.
 Another technique is to collapse
time in order to create a setting in
which the
Plot
 Contains fantastical elements.
 The fantastic elements may be
intrinsically plausible but are never
explained.
 Open-ended conclusion leaves the
reader to determine whether the
magical and/or the mundane
rendering of the plot is more is
truthful or in accord with the world
as it
 Contains rich sensory details
 Uses symbols and imagery
extensively
 Incorporates legend or folklore
Themes
 Heightened reality
 Life’s hidden meanings
Fantasy
Characterization
 Characters can have special powers.
 Animals act like people
(anthropomorphism).
Setting
 Place is imaginary or of another
world or universe.
 Time is anytime or no time.
 Fantasy time (Once upon a time sets
the stage and They lived happily
ever after closes the tale.) any time
or any place, timeless or placeless,
or long long ago.
 Time travel is possible.
Plot
 Varied, but usually suprising twists
or developments.
 Involving situations not possible in
our realistic world.
 Full of action and follows specific
and simple patterns.
 The plot starts right out with fast
moving action that grabs the
listeners interest and keeps it.
 Conflicts are usually resolved with
great deeds or acts of human
kindness related to good and
bad/evil.
Themes
 Good versus bad or evil.
 Uses magic or other ideas to achieve
the extremely impossible.