Choose the format for the work.
Use Markdown where readable, portable writing helps—and recognize when another format fits better.
Read the descriptive transcript
Follow the complete narration and the changes shown in the video. Each example can be copied.
1. Start with the document’s job
Before choosing a format, ask what the document needs to do. Here we want a short project guide that other people can read and update.
Source shown
## Purpose
A project guide.
## Why Markdown
Readable sections and links.On screen
The document stays visible while the narration explains the idea.
2. 01 / Make the purpose specific
Place the cursor after project guide. Add that it is for new volunteers. A specific audience makes the choice easier to judge.
Source shown
## Purpose
A project guide for new volunteers.
## Why Markdown
Readable sections and links.On screen
The cursor moves to the edit point. Each character is inserted or removed in the source, and the preview updates from that text.
3. Markdown fits structured prose
Markdown fits this task because the work is mainly words, headings, and links. The source remains readable when someone opens it in another text editor.
Source shown
## Purpose
A project guide for new volunteers.
## Why Markdown
Readable sections and links.On screen
The document stays visible while the narration explains the idea.
4. 02 / Write down the reason
Under Why Markdown, add portable text as another reason. Keep the explanation tied to this project, rather than assuming one format suits everything.
Source shown
## Purpose
A project guide for new volunteers.
## Why Markdown
Readable sections and links.
Portable text.On screen
The cursor moves to the edit point. Each character is inserted or removed in the source, and the preview updates from that text.
5. Changing totals? Use a spreadsheet.
Now imagine a budget with changing quantities and formulas. A Markdown table displays values, but it does not provide a spreadsheet's calculation workflow.
Source shown
## Purpose
A project guide for new volunteers.
## Why Markdown
Readable sections and links.
Portable text.On screen
The document stays visible while the narration explains the idea.
6. Exact placement? Use a layout tool.
For a brochure with precise page composition, consider a layout tool. Choose around what the recipient needs to do with the document.
Source shown
## Purpose
A project guide for new volunteers.
## Why Markdown
Readable sections and links.
Portable text.On screen
The document stays visible while the narration explains the idea.
7. 03 / Separate source from delivery
Keep your editable Markdown source. You can also make a reading copy, such as a PDF, or an HTML document for the web.
Source shown
## Purpose
A project guide for new volunteers.
## Why Markdown
Readable sections and links.
Portable text.
## Delivery
Keep the .md source.
Inspect the exported copy.On screen
The cursor moves to the edit point. Each character is inserted or removed in the source, and the preview updates from that text.
8. Inspect the destination
Open an exported document in its destination app. Check headings, links, and layout. The exported copy may not preserve every feature in exactly the same way.
Source shown
## Purpose
A project guide for new volunteers.
## Why Markdown
Readable sections and links.
Portable text.
## Delivery
Keep the .md source.
Inspect the exported copy.On screen
The document stays visible while the narration explains the idea.
9. Core syntax and extensions differ
Tables, task lists, diagrams, and math depend on the renderer and its extensions. Test the features you need where your readers will use them.
Source shown
## Purpose
A project guide for new volunteers.
## Why Markdown
Readable sections and links.
Portable text.
## Delivery
Keep the .md source.
Inspect the exported copy.On screen
The document stays visible while the narration explains the idea.
10. Your turn / Purpose, audience, reason
Pause and describe a document you need. Add Purpose and Why Markdown sections below the video. Explain why this format fits, or choose another one.
Source shown
## Purpose
A project guide for new volunteers.
## Why Markdown
Readable sections and links.
Portable text.
## Delivery
Keep the .md source.
Inspect the exported copy.On screen
The document stays visible while the narration explains the idea.
Begin with what the document must do
Imagine three tasks: explain a project, calculate a monthly budget and design a print brochure. Each has a different requirement. For the guide, headings, paragraphs and links are the main work. For the budget, calculations matter. For the brochure, precise placement matters.
Our practical recommendation: use Markdown for structured prose; use a spreadsheet when formulas and data operations dominate; use a layout tool when exact page composition is the task. This is a choice about the work, not a ranking of formats.
A useful project introduction
# Garden guide
A shared reference for our neighbourhood garden.
## Start here
Read the planting notes, then choose one task.
## Get involved
Bring an idea to the next garden meeting.A README commonly introduces a project, explains its usefulness and helps people get started. The example above is deliberately small. A real project may also need installation requirements, usage examples, contribution guidance and support information. GitHub’s README guidance.
Source and delivery can differ
You can write in Markdown and deliver another format. Keep the .md file as your editable source, then choose the output for the recipient. A PDF is a useful reading copy. A word-processing document may fit a colleague’s editing workflow. The editmd export guide explains what each conversion preserves.
Portability has a boundary
CommonMark defines a core syntax. GitHub Flavored Markdown adds features such as tables and task lists. Mermaid diagrams and math depend on additional renderer support. Check the destination rather than assuming every preview will look the same. CommonMark specification, GFM specification.
Choose your first project
Write a purpose statement and explain your format choice in the practice area. Two hashes and a space make a section heading, such as ## Purpose; the headings lesson explains heading levels. For a starter you can keep, the school home includes a complete meeting-notes file and README.
YOUR TURN
Make the idea your own.
Write ## Purpose and ## Why Markdown. Under each heading, explain the document you want to create and why Markdown fits. The check confirms headings; you judge the choice.
Readable result
Purpose
A short guide for our project.
Compare with one possible answer
## Purpose
A short guide for our project.
## Why Markdown
We need clear sections, examples and links that stay readable as text.This is one approach. Your writing can differ while meeting the same structural goal.
TAKE IT WITH YOU
Choose the format around the next person or tool that will use your work.
Read the editor guide →Progress is stored in this browser. Your practice text is not saved.