Argument Essay Instructions Thesis In The Landlady by

Argument “Essay” Instructions

Thesis: In “The Landlady” by Roald Dahl, some may say that the antagonist is a sentimental old woman, but really she is a serial killer because she waits for the perfect victim, she gets Billy to trust her, and she preserves her victims in the same room together so she can remember them. __________________________________________________________ _____________________________

Claim and Counterclaim: The landlady is simply sentimental. _____________________ ___________ Transition Word/Phrase: Claim: The landlady is a serial killer. ___________________ ___________________

Grounds (Reason 1): The Landlady waits for the perfect victim. ___________________________ ______________ Backing (Evidence): The Landlady knew ahead of time he would arrive. Mr. Weaver asks to stay and the lady says, “’I knew you would’. ” (Dahl 2). ___________________________ Rebuttal: She prepares a perfect place for the perfect person. ____________________________ ____ Evidence: The landlady puts thought and time into the room she prepares. Mr. Weaver notes, “the room was wonderfully warm and cozy. ” (Dahl 4). ____________________________ Transition Word/Phras e: Grounds (Reason 1) & Rebuttal

Transition Word/Phras e: Grounds (Reason 2): The landlady presents herself in a fashion so that Billy Weaver will trust her. ___________________________ Backing (Evidence): Billy feels comfortable accepting the hot tea from the Landlady. “She patted the empty place beside her on the sofa” (Dahl 5). ___________________________ Rebuttal: The Landlady presents herself in a way so that she appears matronly. ____________________________ ___ Evidence: When Billy meets the landlady he comments that, “’She not only was harmless…but she was also obviously kind’. ” (Dahl 4). ____________________________ ____ Transition Word/Phras e: Grounds (Reason 2) & Rebuttal

Grounds (Reason 2): The landlady keeps her victims in the same room so that she doesn’t misplace them. ___________________________ Transition Word/Phras e: Backing (Evidence): “’They’re on the fourth floor, both of them, together”’ (Dahl 6), she exclaimed. This shows her need to remember where her victims are. ______________ Rebuttal: The landlady has her guests sign their names because she can be forgetful. ____________________________ ___ Evidence: ”’In one ear and out the other, that’s me, Mr. Weaver”’(Dahl 5). ____________________________ ______________ Transition Word/Phras e: Grounds (Reason 3) & Rebuttal

Conclusion: In conclusion, it is obvious that the antagonist is not simply a sentimental old woman, but rather a serial killer because she pre-meditates a place for her prey to reside, creates an environment of trust, and she collects her victims for easy access. ________________________________________________