Communication in the virtual environment can be challenging for participants because it lacks physical presence and nonverbal elements. Participants may have difficulties expressing their intentions and emotions in a primarily text-based course. Therefore, the use of visual communication elements such as pictographic and typographic marks can be important in the communication of intent and meaning. Quantitative measures were used to analyze the use of several images and characters in computer-mediated communication in 1 graduate-level course delivered completely online in fall 2004 and 2005. Results show course participants used a number of different visual cues in order to express themselves. A strong relationship between the number of elements and categories used by participants in the threaded discussion posts and chat sessions existed. However, there was a very weak relationship between the use of visual cues between the instructor and learners. In addition, content analysis was used to qualitatively analyze discourse in the threaded discussion fora. The investigation revealed several use patterns in asynchronous and synchronous communication. (Contains 2 tables and 4 figures.)