At Face Value: Why do individual students use emoticons within text-based online academic discourse?

Abstract

This paper will focus on ways in which students use emoticons in text-based online academic discussions to add context. A literature study of the use of emoticons reveals common themes around user-defined functions. Emoticons are more than words alone, making it easier to convey feelings by allowing emotional distance and still showing vulnerability. Emoticons clarify meaning; a smiley face can transform an apparently negative statement into something more approachable, or a winking face may hint at sarcasm with a statement that is overtly positive. In online discussions, emoticons are being used more often, yet few studies deal with the reasons individual students use emoticons within text-based online academic discourse. In a virtual discussion, emoticons convey social presence and conventions of politeness which humanize discourse and increase positive engagement. Emoticons also serve academic functions, such as allowing the user to indicate agreement or willingness to share resources, or introducing a new perspective. Students are not haphazard when they use emoticons; emoticons are used deliberately for an intended effect.