What do special characters in encoded notes typically indicate?

Special characters in encoded notes often indicate a specific encoding scheme because they can represent various elements within that scheme, such as control characters, delimiters, or format indicators. These characters help distinguish how data is organized and interpreted, allowing users to understand the intended structure and meaning behind the encoded information. Recognizing these special characters is crucial for decoding the content accurately, as they often dictate how to read the notes properly and what kind of operations can be performed on the data.

Other options do not align with the traditional function of special characters in encoding. For instance, while decorative purposes may be a reason for some characters in other contexts, they do not serve a functional role in encoding. Similarly, highlighting conclusions or representing the author's name are not typical functions associated with special characters in this particular context. The primary role of these characters lies in their ability to facilitate the specific encoding scheme being employed.