In the keyword phrase "11 sep special," the word "special" functions as a noun. It is the head of the noun phrase and refers to a specific entity, such as a television program, a broadcast, a report, a published edition, or a commemorative event.
The component "11 sep," a proper noun representing the date September 11th, serves as an adjectival modifier (specifically, a noun adjunct). Its grammatical role is to qualify the noun "special," specifying its subject matter or theme. This structure is common in English, as seen in terms like "holiday special" or "sports report," where the first noun modifies the second. The phrase, therefore, is not describing something that is special in a general sense (adjective) but is naming a specific thing (noun) related to September 11th.
This grammatical determination is critical because it establishes the article's subject as a concrete piece of media or a defined event. The analysis should focus on this specific "special" itselfits content, purpose, audience, and impactrather than on the abstract qualities of the date. The main point of the article is therefore centered on a tangible product or observance created in connection with September 11th.