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•
23 Jan 2026
•
WJEC Criminology Prep Notes: Cornell Style for AC 1.4
E
Eliz
@elizassim_zioy
1 / 7
Newspaper Coverage of Crime
Newspapers dedicate massive amounts of space to crime stories - think stabbings, shootings, murders, and terrorist attacks dominating your news feed. Both local and national papers focus heavily on reporting current crimes and their impact on communities.
When major incidents happen, crime completely takes over newspaper coverage. Front pages and entire sections become devoted to the latest updates and developments.
Take the August 2017 Barcelona terrorist attack as a perfect example. Headlines screamed words like 'massacre', 'bloodbath', 'evil', 'terror', and 'slaughtered on the street'. Both tabloid and broadsheet newspapers used this dramatic language.
Key Point: Media often sensationalises crime stories, using dramatic terms and focusing on negative aspects to grab your attention - even when it means overexaggerating events.
Television's Role in Crime Representation
Television plays a massive role in how crime gets portrayed through both fictional and factual content. You've probably seen programmes like Crimewatch or Police Camera Action that show real criminal cases.
High-profile crime dramas based on actual events are incredibly popular. Shows like 'Little Boy Blue' (about Rhys Jones' murder in 2007) and 'The Moorside' (covering Shannon Matthews' kidnapping in 2008) turn real tragedies into television entertainment.
Then there's the endless stream of fictional crime shows: Law & Order, Midsomer Murders, and Sherlock dominate TV schedules. According to researcher Tim Newburn, crime and law enforcement content has exploded from one-tenth of prime-time TV in the 1950s to a quarter of all output today.
Reality Check: Crime shows have quadrupled on TV since the 1950s - meaning you're constantly exposed to criminal content, whether you realise it or not.
Films and Gaming Impact
Films have a huge influence on how people perceive crime, mixing both factual and fictional portrayals. Movies like Suicide Squad, Die Hard, Human Centipede, and The Wolf of Wall Street all focus heavily on crime and corruption themes.
Electronic gaming presents perhaps the most controversial representation of crime. Most crime-based games target over-18s, but they often trivialise criminal behaviour by suggesting violence is acceptable or normal.
Grand Theft Auto perfectly illustrates this issue - the game literally encourages players to steal cars, engage with prostitutes, and kill people for points. This normalisation of criminal activity through entertainment raises serious questions about media influence.
Think About It: When games reward criminal behaviour with points and progression, what message does that send about real-world consequences?
Social Media and Music Representations
Social media has revolutionised crime reporting through blogs and social networking platforms. Members of the public can instantly raise awareness about criminal activity by posting updates and sharing information.
Police forces now actively use Facebook and Twitter to increase public awareness of particular crimes. These platforms help communities see what criminal activity is happening in their area and allow police to make appeals for information from potential witnesses.
Music has long been fascinated with crime and criminals. Classic tracks like 'I Fought the Law' by The Clash and 'Bonnie and Clyde' by Georgie Fame celebrate infamous criminal figures.
Modern artists continue this trend - Eminem has created multiple songs referencing crime and drugs, while Nirvana's 'Polly' is based on an actual crime. This phenomenon isn't limited to Western music either; Korean boyband B.A.P uses concepts of murder, theft, and kidnapping in their music videos to portray gang culture.
Global Perspective: Crime representation in media transcends cultural boundaries - it's a worldwide phenomenon that shapes how different societies understand criminal behaviour.
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This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
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Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
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Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
WJEC Criminology Prep Notes: Cornell Style for AC 1.4
E
Eliz
@elizassim_zioy
Ever wondered how crime appears in the media you consume daily? From newspaper headlines to Netflix dramas, every form of media shapes how we understand and perceive criminal activity in our society.
Newspaper Coverage of Crime
Newspapers dedicate massive amounts of space to crime stories - think stabbings, shootings, murders, and terrorist attacks dominating your news feed. Both local and national papers focus heavily on reporting current crimes and their impact on communities.
When major incidents happen, crime completely takes over newspaper coverage. Front pages and entire sections become devoted to the latest updates and developments.
Take the August 2017 Barcelona terrorist attack as a perfect example. Headlines screamed words like 'massacre', 'bloodbath', 'evil', 'terror', and 'slaughtered on the street'. Both tabloid and broadsheet newspapers used this dramatic language.
Key Point: Media often sensationalises crime stories, using dramatic terms and focusing on negative aspects to grab your attention - even when it means overexaggerating events.
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Television's Role in Crime Representation
Television plays a massive role in how crime gets portrayed through both fictional and factual content. You've probably seen programmes like Crimewatch or Police Camera Action that show real criminal cases.
High-profile crime dramas based on actual events are incredibly popular. Shows like 'Little Boy Blue' (about Rhys Jones' murder in 2007) and 'The Moorside' (covering Shannon Matthews' kidnapping in 2008) turn real tragedies into television entertainment.
Then there's the endless stream of fictional crime shows: Law & Order, Midsomer Murders, and Sherlock dominate TV schedules. According to researcher Tim Newburn, crime and law enforcement content has exploded from one-tenth of prime-time TV in the 1950s to a quarter of all output today.
Reality Check: Crime shows have quadrupled on TV since the 1950s - meaning you're constantly exposed to criminal content, whether you realise it or not.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
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Films and Gaming Impact
Films have a huge influence on how people perceive crime, mixing both factual and fictional portrayals. Movies like Suicide Squad, Die Hard, Human Centipede, and The Wolf of Wall Street all focus heavily on crime and corruption themes.
Electronic gaming presents perhaps the most controversial representation of crime. Most crime-based games target over-18s, but they often trivialise criminal behaviour by suggesting violence is acceptable or normal.
Grand Theft Auto perfectly illustrates this issue - the game literally encourages players to steal cars, engage with prostitutes, and kill people for points. This normalisation of criminal activity through entertainment raises serious questions about media influence.
Think About It: When games reward criminal behaviour with points and progression, what message does that send about real-world consequences?
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Social Media and Music Representations
Social media has revolutionised crime reporting through blogs and social networking platforms. Members of the public can instantly raise awareness about criminal activity by posting updates and sharing information.
Police forces now actively use Facebook and Twitter to increase public awareness of particular crimes. These platforms help communities see what criminal activity is happening in their area and allow police to make appeals for information from potential witnesses.
Music has long been fascinated with crime and criminals. Classic tracks like 'I Fought the Law' by The Clash and 'Bonnie and Clyde' by Georgie Fame celebrate infamous criminal figures.
Modern artists continue this trend - Eminem has created multiple songs referencing crime and drugs, while Nirvana's 'Polly' is based on an actual crime. This phenomenon isn't limited to Western music either; Korean boyband B.A.P uses concepts of murder, theft, and kidnapping in their music videos to portray gang culture.
Global Perspective: Crime representation in media transcends cultural boundaries - it's a worldwide phenomenon that shapes how different societies understand criminal behaviour.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
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Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
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We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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Most popular content: Criminology
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Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user