Success TutoringWorksheets
Worksheet3rd GradeLevel 2 · Standard

Free 3rd Grade Show, Don't Tell: Describing Feelings in Stories Worksheet

Instead of telling the reader that a character is scared, good writers show it through what the character does, says and how their body reacts. Children work out feelings from show sentences, sort show and tell sentences, rewrite tell sentences as show sentences and write a short paragraph that shows a feeling without naming it.

Instant download · No sign-up · Free for personal, classroom and homeschool use

Grade
3rd Grade
Subject
English
Topic
Narrative Writing
Difficulty
Level 2 · Standard
Estimated time
25 minutes
Curriculum
Texas grade levels (TEKS)
Questions
14
Answers
Included, with working
Format
PDF (A4), print or complete online

Students will practice

  • working out a character's feelings from clues
  • telling show sentences from tell sentences
  • showing feelings through actions, words and body language
  • rewriting tell sentences as show sentences

Curriculum: Texas grade levels (TEKS). We show specific outcome codes only where they have been verified against the official curriculum document.

What's next?

Completed: Show, Don't Tell: Describing Feelings in Stories

  1. 1Problem and Resolution: Writing the Middle and End of a Story
  2. 2Should Every Classroom Have a Pet? — Persuasive Writing
  3. 3Persuasive Language: Strong Words, Questions and Must
  4. 4Opinion, Reason, Example: Building a Persuasive Paragraph

How to use this worksheet

  1. Print the PDF or complete it on screen. Write the student's name and date at the top.
  2. Read the instructions for each part together before starting. Encourage working to be shown.
  3. Mark with the answer sheet. Use the model answers and success criteria as a guide rather than a single right answer.
  4. Record the score, celebrate what went well, then follow the "What's next" suggestion.

Common questions

Who is this worksheet for?

3rd Grade students (typically ages 8–9) working on narrative writing. It is pitched at level 2 · standard.

Are the answers included?

Yes. The PDF includes a full answer sheet with model answers and success criteria where there is more than one good answer. You can also view the answers online.

How long does it take?

About 25 minutes for 14 questions. Short, regular sessions work best: two or three a week beats one long one.

Do I need to sign up to download?

No. Click Download Free PDF and it opens immediately. It is free for personal, classroom and homeschool use.

What should we do next?

Try Problem and Resolution: Writing the Middle and End of a Story.

Preview

Success TutoringWorksheets3rd Grade · English · Narrative Writing

Show, Don't Tell: Describing Feelings in Stories

Name

Date

Score /

Ask yourself: what would this feeling look like if I could see it?

Part A: How does the character feel?

The writer does not name the feeling. Use the clues to work it out.

1.Leo's hands shook as he walked onto the stage. He swallowed hard.
  1. Anervous
  2. Bangry
  3. Cexcited
  4. Dtired
2.Ella stomped her feet and slammed the door behind her.
  1. Anervous
  2. Bangry
  3. Cexcited
  4. Dtired
3.Raj bounced up and down and shouted, "We're going to the beach!"
  1. Anervous
  2. Bangry
  3. Cexcited
  4. Dtired
4.Nina yawned, rubbed her eyes and rested her head on the desk.
  1. Anervous
  2. Bangry
  3. Cexcited
  4. Dtired

Part B: Show or tell?

Circle show or tell.

5.Sam was sad.
  1. Ashow
  2. Btell
6.A tear rolled down Sam's cheek and he stared at the floor.
  1. Ashow
  2. Btell
7.Maya grinned from ear to ear and hugged her new puppy.
  1. Ashow
  2. Btell
8.Maya was happy.
  1. Ashow
  2. Btell

Part C: Turn tell into show

Think about what the character does, says and how their body reacts.

9.Tell: Ben was scared. Rewrite it to show Ben is scared. (answer space)
10.Tell: Zoe was proud. Rewrite it to show Zoe is proud. (answer space)
11.Tell: The boy was cold. Rewrite it to show the boy is cold. (answer space)
Free worksheets at worksheets.successtutoring.com · © Success Tutoring · Free for personal and classroom use

Preview — the PDF contains the full resource and answer sheet.

More 3rd Grade narrative writing resources

  • Writing Prompt

    The Door in the Tree — Narrative Writing

    A test-style narrative prompt: a small door appears in the trunk of a tree. Students plan the orientation, complication and resolution,…

    Difficulty
    Level 1 · Easier
    Time
    35 min
    Questions
    6 questions
    Answers
    Answers included
  • Writing Prompt

    A Letter About a Field Trip to the Capitol — Friendly Letter

    A friendly letter prompt for 3rd graders: students imagine their class has just visited the Texas State Capitol in Austin and write a…

    Difficulty
    Level 1 · Easier
    Time
    35 min
    Questions
    8 questions
    Answers
    Answers included
  • Worksheet

    Problem and Resolution: Writing the Middle and End of a Story

    Every good story has a problem (sometimes called a complication) that the character must solve, and a resolution where it is fixed.…

    Difficulty
    Level 2 · Standard
    Time
    30 min
    Questions
    10 questions
    Answers
    Answers included

Narrative Writing in other year levels

Was this resource helpful?

About this resource

Created by
Success Tutoring
Last reviewed
1 October 2026
How it was made
Written by our team

Free to print and share for personal, classroom and homeschool use. Please don't resell. Spotted an error? Let us know.