The derivation of fundamental equations of motion governing the response of a pre-twisted plate is presented. The strain-displacement relationships of pre-twisted plates are obtained under assumptions of the thin shell theory. The simplified forms of these are proposed for plates having relatively large length-width rations and small pre-twists. Then, the principle of the virtual work of the free vibration of pre-twisted plates is formulated. The equation derived will be used to analyze the free vibrations of pre-twisted plates by the Rayleigh-Ritz procedure.