What are emoticons used for in electronic messages?

Emoticons are pictorial representations of emotions or ideas, typically created using keyboard characters. They are primarily used in electronic messages to convey feelings and emotional tone that might not be easily expressed through words alone. For instance, a smiley face emoticon can indicate happiness or friendliness, while a frown can show sadness or disappointment.

In digital communication, where non-verbal cues such as facial expressions and tone of voice are absent, emoticons serve as a valuable tool for enhancing clarity and conveying the sender's emotional state. This helps to create a more relatable and nuanced interaction, making messages feel more personal and engaging for the recipient.

The other options don't reflect the primary purpose of emoticons. While they can occasionally aid in understanding a message or indicate something like urgency, their main role is to express and enhance emotional communication.