Final answer:
A ceremonial speech is designed to inspire and align audiences with a specific goal or values, often utilizing persuasive tactics and challenging cultural expectations. It plays a significant role in American cultural, social, and political systems, as used by leaders to address and influence the public.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ceremonial speech intended to inspire the audience towards a certain goal or to align them with a set of values. This form of speechmaking is inherently persuasive and is often imbued with parrhesia, which is a bold public speech that is motivated by the moral desire to disclose the truth and foster social change.
It is a key component of American social and political systems, used by various public figures such as politicians, lawyers, and religious leaders to evoke emotions, shape beliefs, and even propel campaigns forward as seen in the example of former President Barack Obama's 2004 Democratic National Convention speech.
Ceremonial speeches, including commencement addresses like the one delivered by President Johnson referred to as a 'graduation address', serve multiple rhetorical functions. They can meet or challenge cultural expectations in rhetorically effective ways.