You've likely noticed that there are currently no visible options for formatting the text you enter when posting. Even so, text can still be formatted by using Markdown – which uses text to format text. If you've not used Markdown before, here are a few basics to get you started…

Italics

Add italics by wrapping a word or phrase with single asterisks.
Thus, *this* becomes this.

Bold

Add bold emphasis by wrapping a word or phrase with double asterisks.
Thus, **this** becomes this.

Bold Italic

Add bold italic emphasis by wrapping a word or phrase with triple asterisks.
Thus, ***this*** becomes this.

Ordered Lists

Ordered lists can be created by preceding your list with 1.

Thus,

1. A numbered list item must begin with a digit followed by a period.
1. You must ensure there is a line break before and after the list to set it apart.

becomes

A numbered list item must begin with a digit followed by a period.
You must ensure there is a line break before and after the list to set it apart.

Unordered Lists

Unordered lists can be created by preceding the list with *, +, or -.

Thus,

* An unordered list item must begin with one of the above mentioned characters.
* Unordered lists must also have a line break before and after.

becomes…

An unordered list item must begin with one of the above mentioned characters.
Unordered lists must also have a line break before and after.

Blockquotes

You can quote a single line or block of text by preceding line(s) with >.

Thus,

> The most important property of a program is whether it accomplishes the intention of its user.
> C.A.R. Hoare

becomes…

The most important property of a program is whether it accomplishes the intention of its user.
C.A.R. Hoare

Links

The quickest way to include a link is to use only the URL.

Thus, https://wordpress.org/plugins/browse/new/ becomes https://wordpress.org/plugins/browse/new/.

Alternatively, if you would like to link text to a specific URL you can bracket the text prior to the link.

Thus, [New WP Plugins](https://wordpress.org/plugins/browse/new/) becomes New WP Plugins