Conquering the Poles: Amundsen vs. Scott
January 12-16, 2026
The race to the South Pole between Roald Amundsen and Robert Falcon Scott is one of the most dramatic stories in exploration history. Write an essay comparing the two expeditions. What strategies did each explorer use? Why did Amundsen succeed while Scott's expedition ended in tragedy? What lessons can we learn from their experiences? Use at least two of the provided sources to support your analysis.
- Minimum 3 paragraphs
- Cite at least 2 sources
- Include an introduction, body paragraphs with evidence, and a conclusion
1. Race to the South Pole | National Geographic
Comprehensive account of the dramatic race between Amundsen and Scott
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/article/race-to-the-south-poleMLA Citation Format:
"Race to the South Pole | National Geographic." Website Name, www.nationalgeographic.com. Accessed [Date].
2. Roald Amundsen | Britannica
Biography of Roald Amundsen and his successful South Pole expedition
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Roald-AmundsenMLA Citation Format:
"Roald Amundsen | Britannica." Website Name, www.britannica.com. Accessed [Date].
3. Robert Falcon Scott | Britannica
Biography of Robert Falcon Scott and the tragic end of his expedition
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Robert-Falcon-ScottMLA Citation Format:
"Robert Falcon Scott | Britannica." Website Name, www.britannica.com. Accessed [Date].
4. The Race to the South Pole | History.com
Historical overview of Antarctic exploration and the race to the South Pole
https://www.history.com/topics/exploration/south-pole-explorationMLA Citation Format:
"The Race to the South Pole | History.com." Website Name, www.history.com. Accessed [Date].
5. Antarctic Exploration | Smithsonian
Educational resource on Antarctic exploration and the challenges faced by early explorers
https://www.si.edu/spotlight/antarcticaMLA Citation Format:
"Antarctic Exploration | Smithsonian." Website Name, www.si.edu. Accessed [Date].
MLA Citation Help
Use MLA format for all citations. Include in-text citations (Author) and a Works Cited page at the end of your essay.
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