This is a sample introduction. In a finished essay, this paragraph introduces readers to the family: who they are, where they came from, where they settled, and when they moved. It names the people and places and gives just enough background to make readers curious. A student would write about 100 to 120 words here. This sample imagines a family that left a rural community in search of steadier work, joined relatives who had already moved, and slowly built a new life in a city far from home.
Why families left for work
This sample paragraph shows how an essay connects one family’s story to the wider history of migration. Economic crisis, falling crop prices, and a lack of jobs at home often pushed families to leave. At the same time, growing industries elsewhere created demand for workers and drew newcomers toward cities. Laws and policies shaped who could move, how they traveled, and what kind of work they could find. Historians describe these forces as push and pull factors, and many families relied on relatives and neighbors who had already made the trip. A real essay would draw on class readings and other secondary sources here and cite them in Chicago style.
In their own words
Listen
Sample placeholder. A family member describes the decision to leave home. Interview by the student, City, Month Day, Year.
Use a sentence or two to introduce the clip and explain why you chose it.
The journey, an object, and a sense of home
This sample paragraph describes the journey as a whole. It would explain how the family traveled, who went first, and who followed. It would introduce one important object that the family carried or kept, and explain what it means to them. It would also reflect on identity and place: what it took to make a new place feel like home, which traditions continued, and which changed. Students draw directly on the oral history here and cite it. This section is the heart of the essay and runs about 300 to 350 words.
Sample placeholder. Describe what the image shows, why it matters to the story, and where it came from.
Other stories of work and movement
This sample paragraph connects the family’s story to other migration stories studied in class. It points out similarities, such as the role of family networks and the search for work, and differences, such as the time period, the route, or the laws in place. Students name specific readings or examples and cite them. This section runs about 125 to 175 words.
Sample placeholder. Describe the archival image, how it relates to other migration stories, and cite its source.
What this project taught me
This sample conclusion reflects on what the student learned about their family, about migration, and about history. It might note how ordinary objects and memories hold stories that documents leave out. A student would write about 70 to 85 words here.
References
Primary sources
Last name, First name. Oral history interview. Interviewed by Student Name. City, Month Day, Year.
Secondary sources
Sample citations go here, in Chicago style.