Markdown is a text-to-HTML conversion tool for web writers. Markdown allows you to write using an easy-to-read, easy-to-write plain text format, then convert it to structurally valid XHTML (or HTML).

This is a small contrived example of how Markdown syntax can be used.

Source

The Ant-Sugar Tales 
=================== 
 
By Candice Yellowflower   
 
The _Ant-Sugar Tales_ is a collection of short stories told from the 
perspective of a fine young lady from [Venice][1], who has some run-ins 
with a few [inquisitive insects][2]. Each tale presents a moral quandry, 
which the ants are quick to solve with their antly wisdom and 
know-how. Some of the moral lessons presented are: 
 
* Laundry: How not to get caught in soiled knickers. 
* Used Ticket Stubs and Their Impact on the Universe 
* I'm Keeping a Birdhouse in my Attic 
 
Use of Metaphor 
--------------- 
 
The author's splended use of metaphor can be attributed to her growing 
up in an art-supply store. Her characters are richly outlined, but her 
unusual descriptions can sometimes be a bit jarring in places, such as 
her description of the old caretaker that lives inside a hollow tree in 
her yard: 
 
> His skin was smooth like Magnani Pescia 100% acid-free cold pressed 
> 22x30" Soft White Paper, with fine hair like the bristles of a Habico 
> Lasur Superb Oil Glazing Brush Size 10. 
 
 
  [1]: http://www.azureva.com/gb/italie/mags/grand-canal.php3 
       "Venice: The Grand Canal"
  [2]: http://www.fortunecity.com/emachines/e11/86/tourist4d.html 
 

Output

The above would render like so:

The Ant-Sugar Tales

By Candice Yellowflower

The Ant-Sugar Tales is a collection of short stories told from the perspective of a fine young lady from Venice, who has some run-ins with a few inquisitive insects. Each tale presents a moral quandry, which the ants are quick to solve with their antly wisdom and know-how. Some of the moral lessons presented are:

• Laundry: How not to get caught in soiled knickers.
• Used Ticket Stubs and Their Impact on the Universe
• I'm Keeping a Birdhouse in my Attic

Use of Metaphor

The author's splended use of metaphor can be attributed to her growing up in an art-supply store. Her characters are richly outlined, but her unusual descriptions can sometimes be a bit jarring in places, such as her description of the old caretaker that lives inside a hollow tree in her yard:

His skin was smooth like Magnani Pescia 100% acid-free cold pressed 22x30" Soft White Paper, with fine hair like the bristles of a Habico Lasur Superb Oil Glazing Brush Size 10.

For more details about the syntax, see Markdown's Syntax page.