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Version: WIP

✏️ 1.1.2.11 Practice: Markdown

Goal: Practice using all the major features of Markdown such as headings, bolding and italicizing text, and making lists.

Warm Up​

  • Why might we want to use Markdown?
  • How can we make headings in Markdown?
  • What is the extension for a Markdown file?

AI Support: Stuck on Markdown syntax? After trying the steps below, you can ask AI to explain what a symbol does. Do not ask AI to write your cookie recipe or blog post for you.

Example prompts:

  • Weak: "Write my Markdown blog."
  • Strong: "How do I make text bold vs. italic in Markdown? Can you explain the syntax for each—without writing my blog post for me?"

Before asking AI, check: Do I have the license for this? See Using AI Responsibly at Fidgetech and How to Ask for Help.

Try asking AI: "What's the difference between a bulleted list and a numbered list in Markdown? Can you show the syntax for each—without writing my cookie recipe for me?"

After reading AI's response, explain the concept back in your own words before moving on.

Code​

  • Go to StackEdit, delete all of the text from box on the left, and then recreate the cookie recipe page in Markdown. Your results should be visible on the right. DO NOT copy and paste from the text of the lesson. The best way to learn this is to do it yourself!
  • Create a new project folder on your desktop and write a blog post about your day/your favorite food/favorite vacation destination, etc. Save the file with .md as the extension on it and make sure to track the file with git. Go to Daring Fireball and choose a couple formatting elements that we didn't teach you in the lesson and use them in your blog post. On Windows, you can preview your Markdown file in Visual Studio Code using Ctrl-K V (hold Ctrl and press K together, then let go and press V). On a Mac, use command-shift-v. Remember to make commits and push your files up to GitHub!

Checkpoint​

Before moving on, you should be able to:

  • Recreate the cookie recipe in Markdown without copying from the lesson
  • Use headings, bold/italic text, lists, and links in Markdown
  • Preview a .md file in StackEdit or VS Code
  • Commit and push a Markdown file to GitHub

If you're unsure, re-read the section above or ask AI: "How do I make text bold vs. italic in Markdown? Can you explain the syntax for each—without writing my blog post for me?"