The story has a beginning where the crime and characters are introduced.

The story has a middle in which the main story is told. The detective investigates the crime and interrogates the suspects.

The story has an end in which the detective explains how he solved the crime.

The suspects and criminal appear early in the story.

All clues are given. The clues lead to the solution.

The suspects have alibis.

A motive is given.

The story includes characters' dialogue.

The story contains an element of suspense.

Each sentence begins with a capital letter and ends with the appropriate punctuation mark.

All names are capitalized. The important words in the title are capitalized.

The story is organized into paragraphs containing one main idea. Each paragraph is indented.

The story contains descriptive words and figures of speech.

Quotation marks are used correctly in dialogue.

Appropriate alignment and spacing is used.

There are at least five illustrations. The illustrations are neat, attractive, and fit the text..

The book contains a title page, authors' page, and dedication.

The book is attractively and sturdily bound.

The book is presented to the class so that all of the text read is understood and the pictures are visible.