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Lesson Plan: “I Used to Think I Loved America” — Analyzing Rhetoric and Language Features in the Writing of John Pavlovitz

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About the Author: John Pavlovitz

John Pavlovitz is an American pastor, writer, and social justice advocate known for his outspoken commentary on faith, politics, and human rights. A former megachurch pastor who was dismissed for his progressive theological views, Pavlovitz has since become a prominent voice in progressive Christianity. Through his blog, books, and public letters, he speaks candidly about issues like racism, LGBTQ+ rights, nationalism, and empathy, often challenging conventional religious and political ideologies. His writing is deeply personal, rooted in compassion, and characterized by a desire to confront injustice while inspiring hope and resistance. Source

Grade Level: Upper High School (Grades 11–12) / Undergraduate
Subjects: English Language Arts, Social Studies, Civics
Estimated Duration: 2–3 class periods
Central Text: “I Used to Think I Loved America” by John Pavlovitz
Themes: Patriotism, Privilege, Identity, Dissent, Hope

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

  • Identify and analyze key literary devices (metaphor, simile, personification, etc.) in the text.
  • Recognize and explain the use of rhetorical strategies (ethos, pathos, logos).
  • Evaluate how these devices and strategies enhance the author’s message and emotional impact.
  • Discuss and debate the effectiveness of Pavlovitz’s choices in conveying his message.
  • Apply literary and rhetorical techniques in their own analytical and creative writing.

Materials: See full text below.

1. Warm-Up Discussion

  • Prompt: “What does patriotism mean to you? Can loving a country include criticizing it?”
  • Briefly introduce John Pavlovitz and his background.

2. First Reading

  • Read the text aloud as a class or in small groups.
  • Students annotate the text, marking passages that stand out emotionally or seem especially powerful.

3. Identifying Literary Devices

  • In pairs, students use the Language Features chart to find at least three literary devices in the text.

  • Example questions:

    • Where does Pavlovitz use metaphor? What is being compared?
    • Can you find any personification or imagery?
    • How does the author use contrast or repetition?

4. Share & Discuss

  • Each pair shares one example with the class.
  • The teacher records examples on the board for reference.

Rhetorical Strategies & Deeper Analysis

1. Mini-Lesson: Ethos, Pathos, Logos

  • Briefly review definitions and examples.

2. Small Group Analysis

  • Assign groups to identify passages that demonstrate:

    • Ethos: How does Pavlovitz establish credibility or authority?
    • Pathos: Where does he appeal to emotion? How?
    • Logos: What logical arguments or reasoning does he use?

3. Class Discussion

  • Groups present findings.
  • Whole-class discussion: Which strategy is most effective in this text? Why?

4. Discussion Questions

  • Does the use of literary devices (e.g., metaphor, imagery) make Pavlovitz’s message more powerful? Why or why not?
  • How do his rhetorical choices shape your response to his argument?
  • Do you think his personal tone and vulnerability help or hinder his message? Explain.

Application & Creative Response

1. Analytical Writing Task

  • Prompt: Write a short analysis explaining how one literary device and one rhetorical strategy in the text help convey Pavlovitz’s message about America.

  • Use evidence from the text.

2. Creative Writing Task

  • Prompt: Write your own brief letter or essay about your feelings toward your country or community. Use at least one literary device and one rhetorical strategy to strengthen your message.

3. Peer Review & Sharing

  • Exchange writing with a partner for feedback.

  • Volunteers share with the class.

Sample Analytical Questions

  1. Analyzing Literary Devices

  • What is the effect of the metaphor “cracks in the glistening whitewashed facade and into the cavernous decay underneath”?
  • How does the author’s use of contrast (e.g., “the nation we have been” vs. “the one I see us becoming”) highlight his message?
  • Identify an example of imagery in the text. How does it affect your understanding?

Rhetorical Strategies

  • Where does Pavlovitz use personal experience to build ethos?
  • How does he evoke emotion (pathos) in his description of current events or his own feelings?
  • What logical reasoning (logos) does he use to justify staying in America?

  1. Evaluative/Discussion

  • Do the literary devices and rhetorical strategies make Pavlovitz’s argument more convincing? Why or why not?
  • Is there a moment in the text that changed your perspective or made you feel something strongly? What contributed to that effect?

Do you still love America?

I used to think I loved America.

Growing up, I bought into the mythology of America: its songs and its anthems and its stirring fiction of liberty and opportunity, which I guess was understandable. For a suburban, cisgender, heterosexual male who identified as Christian, they were as true for me as for anyone. They were all I’d ever known. That version of America had always been available to me, even if it was out of reach for most people.

But the more I had my eyes opened by travel, experience, curiosity, and education, the more I saw the cracks in the glistening whitewashed facade and into the cavernous decay underneath. It is a sickness that seems more pervasive and profound than ever. As bad as I’ve come to realize it has always been, in many ways, it feels far worse now.

Lately, I’m realizing that I really don’t like this nation very much: not the one we have been, and certainly not the one I see us becoming if things keep headed in the direction they’re going.

My adversaries tell me I should just get out, and on many days, I agree with them. I confess to regularly daydreaming about leaving it all behind, about beginning again somewhere else: about escaping the coming flood of fascism that feels unstoppable, avoiding my increasingly hateful neighbors, and cutting off my unhinged family members.

Yet, I know even having the option to do such things is a symptom of my privilege and a luxury many cannot afford; people who will remain here regardless of what happens because their forebears had stayed.

And so, even though I don’t like America right now I’m trying to stay in America, too.

And yes, I fully believe it’s all going to get worse before it gets better, but I’m staying so that hopefully the worse isn’t quite as bad and so the better arrives a little bit sooner. I am going to be that light that resists a nation growing ever darker.

If things continue to devolve and our systems further fail and fascism gets a greater foothold, I may decide that remaining here is morally impossible.

But for now, I’m going to roll up my sleeves, steady myself, double my resolve, and work tirelessly alongside millions of others here, who don’t like America but who care deeply about the disparate people who deserve a much better version of it.

I love liberty and equality and diversity, and America still has a shot at being home to these things.

For now, that is enough reason to stay.

Be encouraged.

John

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