Using AI to Help Write a Course in Markdown
✦ Click any bullet point or select text for an AI explanation
Using an LLM to build a course in Markdown is a powerful way to bridge the gap between AI-generated ideas and a ready-to-publish format. Markdown is the "native language" of most AI models, meaning they are much better at following structural instructions in Markdown than in Word or PDF formats.
Markdown is a simple way to format text using basic keyboard symbols instead of clicking buttons in a menu. For example, you can make a word bold by putting stars around it, like **this**, or create a header by starting a line with a hashtag (#). Developers love Markdown because it is just plain text. This means it can be opened on any computer, tracks changes easily, and doesn't have hidden formatting glitches like some word processors do. It is the standard way to write documentation, read-me files, and even blog posts in the tech world.
If this sounds like an old idea, it actually is! Back in the 1980s, when I worked for Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC), we used a very similar tool called RUNOFF. Instead of using a mouse to make text bold or create lists, we typed special codes right into our plain text files. The computer would then read those codes and print out a perfectly formatted document. Early programs like RUNOFF paved the way for modern text-formatting languages, eventually inspiring the Markdown we use today.
To create your course with the specific # Course Name and ## Chapter hierarchy, follow this step-by-step workflow.
1. The "Architect" Prompt (Structure First)
Don't ask the AI to write the whole course at once. If you do, the quality will drop, and it might skip sections to fit the "context window." Start by defining the skeleton.
Copy/Paste this prompt:
"I want to create a course about **[INSERT SUBJECT]**. I need the output in Markdown format.
**Formatting Rules:**
1. The course name must be a level 1 header (`#`).
2. Each chapter must be a level 2 header (`##`).
3. Provide a high-level table of contents first.
4. For now, just generate the course title and the titles for 8–10 chapters."
2. The "Content Developer" Prompt (Iterative Writing)
Once you approve the outline, ask the AI to write one chapter at a time. This ensures depth and allows you to correct the tone as you go.
Prompt for a specific chapter:
"Now, write the full content for **## Chapter 2: [Chapter Title]**.
**Content Requirements:**
* Use `###` for sub-lessons within this chapter.
* Include a bulleted list of key takeaways at the end.
* Add a Markdown code block with an exercise for the student.
* Keep the tone professional yet engaging."
3. Advanced Markdown Features for Courses
To make your course look professional, instruct the LLM to use these specific Markdown elements:
| Feature | Markdown Syntax | AI Instruction |
|---|---|---|
| Callouts | > **Note:** |
"Wrap important tips in blockquotes." |
| Checklists | - [ ] Task |
"Create a task list for the end-of-chapter project." |
| Code | ````python` | "Provide code examples in fenced blocks with language tags." |
| Tables | ` | Header |
4. Pro-Tips for Better AI Output
- Specify the "Flavor": If you are hosting the course on GitHub, tell the AI to use "GitHub Flavored Markdown (GFM)" so it knows it can use tables and task lists.
- The "Context Carryover": As you move from Chapter 1 to Chapter 2, remind the AI: "Keep the same formatting style as the previous chapter."
- Validation: When you paste the markdown into Backtick, you see a real-time preview of the rendered text.
- Perfect is the Enemy of Done: Don't worry about getting the original markdown document perfect. You can continue editing it in the Backtick chapter editor.
Troubleshooting: The "Wall of Text."
If the AI gives you long, boring paragraphs, add this constraint to your prompt:
"Use 'Sentence Case' for all headers. Ensure no paragraph is longer than 3 sentences. Use bolding (
**) for key terms the first time they appear."