For a URL or email, just write it like this:
To use text for the link, write it [like this](http://someurl).
Use * or _ to emphasize things:
*this is in italic* and _so is this_
**this is in bold** and __so is this__
***this is bold and italic*** and ___so is this___
Use the > character in front of a line, just like in email.
Use it if you're quoting a person, a song or whatever.
To end the blockquote, just put a blank line before the following paragraph.
* an asterisk starts an unordered list * and this is another item in the list + or you can also use the + character - or the - character
To start an ordered list, write this:
1. this starts a list *with* numbers + this will show as number "2" * this will show as number "3." 9. any number, +, -, or * will keep the list going. * just indent by 4 spaces (or tab) to make a sub-list 1. keep indenting for more sub lists * here i'm back to the second level
Headers --------- This is a huge header ================== this is a smaller header ------------------ Just put 1 or more dashes or equals signs (--- or ===) below the title. You might use the huge header at the very top of your text for a title or something (except weblog posts usually already have a title), and use the smaller header for subtitles or sections. Horizontal Rule --------------- just put three or more *'s or -'s on a line: ---------------- or you can use single spaces between then, like this: * * * or - - - - - - - Make sure you have a blank line above the dashes, though, or else: you will get a header --- Escapes --------- What if you want to just show asterisks, not italics? * this shows up in italics: *a happy day* * this shows the asterisks: \*a happy day\* The backslashes will disappear and leave the asterisks. You can do the same with any of the characters that have a special meaning for Markdown.