English 10A
Unit 1
from Swimming to Antarctica by Lynne Cox
pg. 61
Swimming in frigid water puts great stress on the body. The body’s core—the
heart, lungs, and brain—must stay warm or normal muscle and brain function
will be impaired. Water temperatures as “warm” as forty-four degrees
Fahrenheit would kill most swimmers. This autobiographical excerpt from
Lynne Cox, a record-breaking swimmer, describes how she prepared herself to
swim a mile in the freezing Antarctic water. Cox tells of many obstacles along the
way that test the limits of both her body and her mind.
Journal
In a paragraph, discuss a time when you pushed yourself to achieve a remarkable goal.
Making Predictions
Prediction
Revise
Verify or Revise
What will happen
based on story details
combined with your
prior knowledge?
What changes as you
gather more
information?
What actually
happens?
Author’s Perspective
The author’s perspective in a literary work includes the judgments, attitudes, and experiences the author brings
to the subject.
An author’s perspective determines which details he or she includes, as in these examples:
A writer with firsthand experience of an event might report his or her own reactions as well as generally
known facts.
A writer with a positive view of a subject may emphasize its benefits.
A work may combine several perspectives. For example, a writer may tell what it felt like to live through an
event. In addition, the writer may express his or her present views of the experience. As you read, look for details
that suggest the author’s perspective.
Critical Thinking after Reading
1. Explain which part of Cox’s story you found the most exciting.
2. Using details for the selection, list three ways in which Cox prepares for her swim. For each method of
preparation, explain the effect it has or intended to have.
Preparations
Effects
1.
1.
2.
2.
3.
3.
3. What physical challenge causes Cox to struggle at the start of her swim? What does Cox’s ability to
overcome this challenge reveal about her?
4. Throughout her swim, Cox gives herself two pep talks. Explain whether or not each pep talk was effective
or not.
5. Complete the Chart
Reason/Motive for making the swim
Dangers faced
1.
1.
2.
2.
Explain whether or not the swim was worth the effort.
6. How would you describe the first few moments of Cox’s mile-long swim to Antarctica? Cite at least one
detail to support your description and provide a page number.
7. How does the behavior of the people on the boat affect Cox’s perspective as she swims?
8. Why does Barry have Cox change the direction of her swim?
9. Near the end of the selection, Cox shouts, “Barry, I’m swimming to Antarctica!” Describe Cox’s perspective
before and after her exclamation.
Perspective Before Shouting
Perspective After Shouting
How did Cox’s perspective change?
10. What character traits do you believe Cox possesses that helped her complete her swim.
Author’s Perspective
Types of Details Included
Author’s Perspective
Example of Each
Researched facts
Personal experiences
Opinions
Attitudes
What perspective is Cox telling the story from?
How would this story be different if told from the perspective of news reporters?