There are many kinds of occasions that call for speeches, some serious and some lighthearted. As is evidenced by its name, a special occasion speech is one that is prepared for a specific occasion and for a purpose dictated by that occasion. In the special occasion speech, the rhetorical situation truly gives rise to the speech content. Dedication ceremonies call for speeches that pay tribute. Awards ceremonies call for presentation speeches that acknowledge accomplishments, and acceptance speeches that display gratitude.

Special occasion speeches can be informative or persuasive or a mix of both. However, neither of these functions is the main goal; the underlying function of a special occasion speech is to entertain, celebrate, commemorate, inspire, or set a social agenda.

Entertainment

Many kinds of special occasions call for a speech that entertains. Banquets, awards dinners, and roasts, for example, frequently feature speakers whose main purpose is to entertain those in attendance. In such cases, listeners expect a lighthearted speech that amuses them. Depending on the event, they may also expect the speaker to offer a certain degree of insight into the topic at hand.

Celebration

Often a special occasion speech will celebrate a person, a place, or an event. Weddings, anniversaries, retirement parties, and awards banquets all call for speeches that recognize the person(s) or event being celebrated. The audience expects the speaker to praise the subject of the celebration and to cast him or her in a positive light. The listeners also expect a certain degree of ceremony in accordance with the norms of the occasion.

Commemoration

Certain special occasion speeches, called commemorative speeches, focus on remembrance and tribute. Commemorative speeches mark important anniversaries, such as the fiftieth anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination or the anniversary of the first moon landing. Speakers deliver commemorative speeches about events or people of note at memorials dedicated to them or at gatherings otherwise held in their honor.

Inspiration

Inaugural addresses, keynote speeches at conventions, and commencement speeches all have inspiration as their main function. With their examples of accomplishments, achievement, and heroism, many commemorative speeches also inspire audiences as well as pay homage to the person or event being commemorated.

Social Agenda–Setting

Yet another function of the special occasion speech is social agenda–setting—establishing or reinforcing the goals and values of the group sponsoring the event. Occasions that call for agenda-setting speeches include gatherings of issues or cause-oriented organizations, fundraisers, campaign banquets, conferences, and conventions. Speakers asked to deliver keynote addresses at conferences or conventions are charged with establishing the theme of the meeting and with offering a plan of action related to that theme. Similarly, politically oriented organizations also routinely hold meetings at which invited speakers perform the function of agenda-setting.