User:The JPS/Differences from the novel

Why has this section been deleted?

Sections in film articles listing its differences from the novel from which it was adapted contravenes various policy. The project's Manual of Style specifically advises against these sections: Wikipedia:MOSFILM#Adaptation_from_source_material

They:

• are original research
• in some cases, might violate WP:SYNTHESIS
• do not tell people the differences between the two; it tells people what you noticed that you thought was different and significant enough to mention. This violates WP:OR
• are trivial
• look amateurish. Wikipedia aims to have professional standards.
• Wikipedia is not an indiscriminate collection of information. Meaning, we don't just put stuff in articles because we can. There needs to be some form of encyclopedic value. If you were to do a "differences" section with no third-party sources, then the reality is that you'd have to include every minor detail that was different, from a change in wallpaper to the spelling of a character's name.
• the existence of these undeveloped sections encourages inexperienced editors to add them to other articles. It does not encourage editors to research and write in accordance with policy and MOS. Substandard material should be evaluated for its potential. For example, an unreferenced claim that "x was changed because..." shows potential and can be marked with {{cn}} to encourage editors to add sources. Otherwise, uncontroversial differences should be removed.

How to use this material correctly

The importance of a difference between a novel and a film is determined by the existence of a reliable secondary source. Sometimes filmmakers discuss in interviews or audio commentaries why a change was made. You can use these sources to discuss why a change was made in a writing/development/production section.

A change can be discussed in a 'Reception' section if a critic (journalist or academic) comments upon it.

So some differences should be discussed. But, a reliable source (filmmaker, critic), and not Wikipedia editors, decides which differences are notable. We then need your help, as a collaborator on this project, to write the information properly.

Examples of good practice

Many developed film articles integrate relevant material into a 'Writing', 'Development' or some other named section. Some others label the section 'Differences from the novel". The following are examples of sections that have successfully used references.

• The_Golden_Compass_(film)#Differences_from_the_novel
• Strangers_on_a_Train_(film)#Differences_from_the_novel
• Apt_Pupil_(film)#Differences_between_novella_and_film

So, it's not good enough to list that Hooper dies in Jaws (novel) but survives in Jaws (film). We also need an authority saying how it's more uplifting. Also, it's not useful in the context of an encyclopedia to mention that Hooper and Ellen's affair in the same novel is omitted from the film. It is valuable to discuss why the creative personnel made that decision.

Discussions

A list of previous discussions about this problem. They are informed by Wikipedia:MOSFILM#Adaptation_from_source_material

• Wikipedia_talk:WikiProject_Film/Archive_13#Differences_from_a_novel
• Wikipedia_talk:WikiProject_Film/Archive_16#Differences_between_book_and_film
• Talk:Jaws_(film)#Differences_between_the_book_and_the_movie
• Wikipedia_talk:WikiProject_Film/Archive_11#The Prestige: comments invited for dispute resolution
• Wikipedia_talk:WikiProject_Film/Archive_20#Film_vs._Book
• Wikipedia_talk:WikiProject_Film/Archive_26#List_of_similarities.2Fdifferences_between_a_remake_and_the_original_film
• Talk:It_(1990_film)#Please_keep_.22Differences_between_the_novel_and_film.22
• Wikipedia_talk:WikiProject_Film#Differences_between_novel_and_film._Again

See also

• WP:INUNIVERSE
• WP:INDISCRIMINATE