Opinion, informative and story writing worksheets
Aligned with Common Core W.3.1
Printable third-grade writing worksheets: charts for opinion, informative and story writing, planners for each kind, linking words practice, a writing page and a revise and edit checklist.
The worksheets
- See it all
Opinion Writing Chart
Opinion, reasons, examples and opinion again, with an example for each part, linking words like because and for example, and fact versus opinion.
- See it all
Informative Writing Chart
Introduce the topic, group your facts, use facts and definitions, and write a conclusion, with a frog example, linking words and a tip on pictures and captions.
- See it all
Story Writing Chart
Beginning, middle and end with a camp story example, time words, showing feelings instead of telling, and dialogue with quotation marks.
Opinion Planner
A planner with an opinion question, two reasons, two examples and a closing. Each copy has a different question.
Informative Planner
A planner for a topic sentence, two groups of facts with headings, a definition and a conclusion.
Story Planner
A planner for characters, setting, a problem, three events, dialogue and an ending. Each copy has a different story idea.
Writing Page
A full page of handwriting lines with a title line and boxes for opinion, informative or story.
Linking Words
Sentences with a missing linking word, like because, so, for example, also and finally. Circle the one that fits.
Check My Writing
A checklist for revising (ideas, order, details, closing) and editing (capitals, end marks, quotation marks, spelling), with boxes for the writer and a partner.
Print the whole packet
One copy of every sheet above, in order. Tap + for more copies (up to 10).
For the parent or teacher
What it is
Third graders write three kinds of pieces. An opinion piece tells what they think and backs it up with reasons and examples (W.3.1). An informative piece teaches about a topic, with facts grouped together, definitions and a conclusion (W.3.2). A story tells events in order, with characters, dialogue, feelings and an ending (W.3.3). They also learn to plan first, then revise and edit with help (W.3.5).
What comes next
Keep writing all three kinds in 4th grade, with longer pieces and more paragraphs.
How to teach it
- Read the chart for the kind of writing together before planning.
- Plan with a few words on each line, not full sentences. Planning should be quick.
- Talk it out first. If your child can say it, they can usually write it.
- Write on every other line of regular paper, or use the writing page, so there's room to fix things.
- Use the checklist to revise one thing at a time, not everything at once.
Common mistakes
- Giving an opinion with no reasons, or reasons with no examples.
- Listing facts in random order instead of grouping them.
- Stories that list events with "and then" but no problem, feelings or ending.
- Skipping the closing sentence.