Rhetoric is a massive part of our every day speech and writing. It is an art in a sense, as it is often used to persuade or impress another person. It also can be seen as a tool, or a tactic that requires skill and technique. While often deemed evil and insincere by many, it is important to understand that rhetoric itself is neither good or bad. Sure rhetoric would be used by a political leader convincing his country to support an unjust war, but desired outcomes can also be positive. For example, say I am at a party and a friend is about to drive after drinking an exceptional amount of grain alcohol. Let's also say that this friend has previous arrests for driving under the influence. I then try to convince him that he may very well hurt somebody, and that he shouldn't drive. I bring up his past legal issues, forcing him to remember the incredible stress caused by his previous arrests. I also take his drunkenness into consideration, and speak very slowly, attempting to be as clear as possible. Let's say he is also a rather emotional drunk. I use this to my advantage, making him consider the pain and grief he could potentially cause his family. While I only have an audience of one, I am clearly focused on persuasion, all the while considering this person's history, personality, and present condition. It all may seem like second nature, but it is also pure rhetoric.
As an English major, I find rhetoric to be useful, even demanded in my writing. Grading can seem very arbitrary, and our writing must go beyond what the prompts asks for. While one professor may commend you for being abstract, another may very well fail you. Some professors place an emphasis on structure and grammar, and others are more lenient, in favor of a "strong argument". Ultimately, I don't think it's possible to be an English major without heavy use of rhetoric.