Headcanon vs Canon: Fundamental Differences Of These Terms

Are you a fan of a particular book, movie, or TV series? If so, you may have heard the terms headcanon and canon being thrown around. But what do these terms actually mean?

Headcanon and canon are two words that are often used in the world of fandoms. Both terms refer to the stories, characters, and events that make up a particular fictional universe. However, they have different meanings and implications.

Headcanon refers to a fan’s personal interpretation or belief about a particular aspect of a fictional universe that is not explicitly stated in the original source material. This could be anything from a character’s backstory to the way a certain event played out. Headcanon is not considered official or canon, but it is a way for fans to fill in the gaps and expand upon the world they love.

On the other hand, canon refers to the official and established facts of a fictional universe. These are the events, characters, and details that are considered to be true within the context of the story. Canon is what the creators of the fictional universe have established as the “official” story, and anything that contradicts it is considered non-canon.

Now that we have a better understanding of what headcanon and canon mean, let’s dive deeper into the differences between the two and why they matter in the world of fandoms.

Define Headcanon

Headcanon is a term used in fandom communities to refer to a personal interpretation or belief about a fictional work that is not supported by the official canon. It is a way for fans to fill in gaps or explore possibilities that may not be explicitly stated in the original material. Headcanons can range from small details about a character’s backstory to entire alternate universes.

Define Canon

Canon refers to the official material that is considered to be part of a fictional work’s established universe. This includes the original source material, such as books, movies, or TV shows, as well as any additional material that is recognized as part of the official continuity, such as spin-off series, comics, or video games. Canon is considered to be the authoritative source for information about a fictional work’s characters, settings, and events.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

When discussing fan fiction and other creative works, it’s important to understand the difference between headcanon and canon. Not only do these terms have different meanings, but they also have different applications in writing and conversation. Here’s how to use them correctly:

How To Use Headcanon In A Sentence

Headcanon refers to a fan’s personal interpretation or theory about a work of fiction that is not supported by the original creator. It’s important to remember that headcanon is not canon and should not be treated as such. Here are some examples of how to use headcanon in a sentence:

• My headcanon is that Harry Potter is secretly a werewolf.
• While it’s not canon, many fans have headcanons about the backstory of their favorite characters.
• Some headcanons can be controversial, especially when they contradict established canon.

How To Use Canon In A Sentence

Canon refers to the official material that is recognized as part of a work of fiction. This can include books, movies, TV shows, and other media that are created by the original author or creators. Here are some examples of how to use canon in a sentence:

• In the Harry Potter canon, it’s established that werewolves are humans who are cursed to transform into wolves.
• When writing fan fiction, it’s important to stay true to the canon of the original work.
• Some fans prefer to ignore certain parts of the canon that they disagree with or find problematic.

More Examples Of Headcanon & Canon Used In Sentences

When it comes to fandoms, the terms headcanon and canon are often used to differentiate between personal interpretations and established facts. Here are some more examples of how these terms can be used in a sentence:

Examples Of Using Headcanon In A Sentence

• My headcanon is that Hermione Granger is a Ravenclaw.
• Some fans have headcanons that Harry Potter is actually a distant relative of the Weasleys.
• My headcanon is that the Doctor’s real name is a secret that will never be revealed.
• One headcanon is that Katniss Everdeen actually died at the end of the Hunger Games series.
• My headcanon is that Sherlock Holmes is asexual.
• Some fans have headcanons that Elsa from Frozen is actually a lesbian.
• My headcanon is that the Joker from Batman is actually a former soldier suffering from PTSD.
• One headcanon is that the aliens from the movie Arrival are actually a future version of humans.
• My headcanon is that Arya Stark from Game of Thrones will eventually become the ruler of Westeros.
• Some fans have headcanons that the TARDIS from Doctor Who is actually sentient.

Examples Of Using Canon In A Sentence

• According to canon, Harry Potter is a Gryffindor.
• It’s canon that the Millennium Falcon made the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs.
• According to canon, the Doctor’s real name is a mystery.
• It’s canon that Katniss Everdeen survived the Hunger Games.
• According to canon, Sherlock Holmes is not asexual.
• It’s canon that Elsa from Frozen is not explicitly identified as a lesbian.
• According to canon, the Joker from Batman has no definitive origin story.
• It’s canon that the aliens from the movie Arrival are not future humans.
• According to canon, Arya Stark from Game of Thrones is a skilled assassin.
• It’s canon that the TARDIS from Doctor Who is not sentient.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to discussing headcanon and canon, there are some common mistakes that people make. Here are a few to avoid:

Using Headcanon And Canon Interchangeably

One of the most common mistakes people make when discussing headcanon and canon is using the terms interchangeably. Headcanon and canon are not the same thing and should not be used as synonyms.

Canon refers to the official material that is recognized as part of a particular story or universe. This can include things like books, movies, TV shows, and other media that are considered part of the official story.

Headcanon, on the other hand, refers to the ideas and theories that fans create about a story or universe that are not part of the official canon. Headcanon can include things like backstory, character motivations, and other details that are not explicitly stated in the official material.

Using headcanon and canon interchangeably can lead to confusion and miscommunication when discussing a particular story or universe.

Assuming Headcanon Is Canon

Another common mistake people make is assuming that their headcanon is actually part of the official canon. Just because you have a particular idea or theory about a story or universe does not mean that it is part of the official material.

It’s important to remember that headcanon is not official and should not be treated as such. While it can be fun to speculate and come up with your own ideas about a story or universe, it’s important to recognize that these ideas are not part of the official canon.

Ignoring Canon In Favor Of Headcanon

While headcanon can be a fun way to explore and expand upon a story or universe, it’s important not to ignore the official canon in favor of your own ideas.

Ignoring canon can lead to inconsistencies and contradictions in your understanding of a particular story or universe. It’s important to remember that the official material is the foundation upon which all headcanon is built.

Tips For Avoiding These Mistakes

Here are a few tips for avoiding these common mistakes:

• Be clear about whether you are discussing headcanon or canon
• Recognize that headcanon is not official and should not be treated as such
• Make sure to incorporate canon into your understanding of a particular story or universe

By keeping these tips in mind, you can avoid some of the most common mistakes people make when discussing headcanon and canon.

Context Matters

When it comes to discussing headcanon vs canon, context can be a crucial factor in determining which one to use. Depending on the situation, one may be more appropriate than the other, and understanding the context in which they are being used can help to make that decision.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Here are some examples of different contexts and how the choice between headcanon and canon might change:

1. Fanfiction

In the world of fanfiction, headcanon is often used to fill in gaps or explore possibilities that are not present in the original canon. Fanfiction writers may choose to ignore certain aspects of canon in order to create their own version of events. In this context, headcanon is often celebrated and encouraged.

2. Roleplaying

In roleplaying, both headcanon and canon can be used depending on the preferences of the group. Some roleplaying groups may choose to stick strictly to canon in order to maintain consistency, while others may allow for more creative freedom through the use of headcanon.

3. Academic Discussions

When discussing literature or media in an academic setting, canon is often the preferred choice. It provides a common ground for discussion and analysis, and allows for a deeper understanding of the work as a whole. Headcanon may be seen as less valuable in this context, as it is not necessarily supported by the text itself.

4. Personal Interpretation

Finally, in personal interpretation, both headcanon and canon can be valuable tools. Depending on the individual, one may choose to rely more heavily on either headcanon or canon in order to form their own opinions and understanding of a work.

Overall, the choice between headcanon and canon can depend on a variety of factors, including the context in which they are being used. By understanding these different contexts, we can better appreciate the value of both headcanon and canon in our own interpretations and discussions of literature and media.

Exceptions To The Rules

While headcanon and canon are useful concepts in the world of fandom, there are some exceptions where the rules for using them might not apply. Here are a few examples:

1. Alternate Universes

When it comes to alternate universes, the rules for headcanon and canon can be a bit more flexible. In these cases, fans are free to create their own interpretations of characters and events, without worrying too much about whether they align with the original canon. For example, in the popular anime series Attack on Titan, there are many fan-made alternate universes where characters are placed in different scenarios or time periods. These can be fun to explore, even if they don’t strictly adhere to the canon.

2. Fanfiction

Similarly, fanfiction is a space where the rules for headcanon and canon can be more relaxed. In fanfiction, fans can take the characters and world of a particular fandom and create their own stories and interpretations. While some fanfiction may strive to be as true to the canon as possible, others may take more liberties with the source material. For example, a fanfiction writer might explore a romantic relationship between two characters that is never explicitly stated in the original canon.

3. Retcons And Reboots

Retcons and reboots can also complicate the use of headcanon and canon. When a new piece of media comes out that contradicts or changes something from the original canon, fans may need to adjust their headcanons accordingly. For example, in the Star Wars franchise, the prequel trilogy introduced the concept of midichlorians, microscopic organisms that give Jedi their powers. This was not mentioned in the original trilogy, so fans who had previously created headcanons about how the Force worked had to either incorporate midichlorians or come up with new explanations.

Summary of Exceptions

Exception	Explanation	Example
Alternate Universes	Rules for headcanon and canon can be more flexible	Attack on Titan fan-made alternate universes
Fanfiction	Rules for headcanon and canon can be more relaxed	Romantic relationship fanfiction
Retcons and Reboots	New media can contradict or change original canon	Midichlorians in Star Wars

Practice Exercises

Now that you have a better understanding of headcanon and canon, it’s time to put your knowledge into practice. Here are some exercises to help you improve your understanding and use of these terms in sentences:

Exercise 1: Headcanon Or Canon?

In this exercise, you will be given a statement and you need to determine whether it is a headcanon or canon. Choose the correct answer and explain why you chose it.

Statement	Headcanon or Canon?	Explanation
Harry Potter is left-handed.	Headcanon	This is not stated in the books, but some fans have interpreted certain scenes to suggest that Harry may be left-handed.
Darth Vader is Luke Skywalker’s father.	Canon	This is a major plot point in the Star Wars movies and is confirmed by the filmmakers.
Superman can shoot lasers from his eyes.	Canon	This is a well-known aspect of Superman’s powers in the comics and movies.
Draco Malfoy secretly wants to be friends with Harry Potter.	Headcanon	This is not stated in the books, but some fans have speculated that Draco may have had a different agenda than what was shown in the story.

Exercise 2: Create Your Own Headcanon

Now it’s time for you to create your own headcanon about a character or story you enjoy. Write a short paragraph explaining your headcanon and why you think it fits with the character or story.

For example:

Headcanon: Hermione Granger is secretly a talented musician.

Explanation: While music is not a major part of Hermione’s story, I think it’s possible that she could have a hidden talent for playing an instrument or singing. Perhaps she learned to play piano as a child and still practices in her spare time, or maybe she has a beautiful singing voice that she only shares with close friends. I think this adds another layer to her character and shows that there is more to her than just being a bookworm.

Exercise 3: Using Headcanon And Canon In Sentences

In this exercise, you will be given a sentence and you need to choose whether to use headcanon or canon to complete it. Write your answer and explain why you chose it.

• “I always thought that Neville Longbottom was secretly a werewolf, but I know that’s just __________.” – Headcanon or Canon?
• “Even though it’s not stated in the books, I believe that Luna Lovegood is a __________.” – Headcanon or Canon?
• “The fact that Jon Snow is actually a Targaryen is a major __________ in the Game of Thrones story.” – Headcanon or Canon?

Answers:

• “I always thought that Neville Longbottom was secretly a werewolf, but I know that’s just headcanon.” – This is not confirmed in the books and is just a fan theory.
• “Even though it’s not stated in the books, I believe that Luna Lovegood is a Ravenclaw.” – This is a personal interpretation of the character and not confirmed by the author.
• “The fact that Jon Snow is actually a Targaryen is a major canon in the Game of Thrones story.” – This is a major plot point that is confirmed by the showrunners and author.

By practicing these exercises, you can improve your understanding and use of headcanon and canon in your own writing and discussions about your favorite stories and characters.

Conclusion

After exploring the differences between headcanon and canon, it is clear that both have their place in the world of writing and storytelling. Canon provides a solid foundation for a story, ensuring consistency and coherence. However, headcanon allows for individual interpretation and creativity, allowing readers to connect with the story on a personal level.

It is important for writers and readers alike to understand the distinction between these two concepts. While headcanon can enhance the reading experience, it should not be confused with actual canon. It is also crucial to use proper grammar and language use when expressing headcanon or any other form of writing.

Key Takeaways

• Canon refers to the official story and its components, while headcanon refers to fan-made interpretations and additions.
• Headcanon can enhance the reading experience, but should not be confused with actual canon.
• Proper grammar and language use are important when expressing headcanon or any other form of writing.

By continuing to learn about grammar and language use, readers and writers can improve their ability to express themselves effectively and creatively. Whether sticking to canon or exploring headcanon, a strong grasp of language is essential for success in the world of writing.