diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index bb2b836..e8084ae 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -98,25 +98,12 @@ Special characters
 
 A few special characters allow for the (ultimately wrong but practically useful) notion that geeks can seldom be strictly quantified.
 
-```
-+	=	indicates an increased amount of geekiness in a particular area. Each additional + raises the level further.
-```
-
-```
-_	=	(Optional) indicates a baseline answer. _ is one step above -, and one step below +. Therefore, _ is never combined with + or -
-```
-
-For example, instead of leaving it blank/empty, a geek of average shape and size could write d_:_ to indicate they are at the baseline.
-
-```
--	=	indicates a decreased amount of geekiness in a particular area. Each additional - reduces the level further.
-```
-
-```
-@	=	for this variable, said trait is not very rigid, may change with time or with individual interaction.
-```
-
-For example, Geeks who happen to very much enjoy Star Trek: Picard as a whole, but aren't sure how they like the current season might list themselves as TSTpic+++@.
+|			|			|				|
+|:---		|	:---:	|	:---		|
+|	+		|	=		|	indicates an increased amount of geekiness in a particular area. Each additional + raises the level further.	|
+|	_		|	=		|	(Optional) indicates a baseline answer. _ is one step above -, and one step below +. Therefore, _ is never combined with + or -	. For example, instead of leaving it blank/empty, a geek of average shape and size could write d_:_ to indicate they are at the baseline.	|
+|	-		|	=		|	indicates a decreased amount of geekiness in a particular area. Each additional - reduces the level further.	|
+|	@		|	=		|	for this variable, said trait is not very rigid, may change with time or with individual interaction. For example, Geeks who happen to very much enjoy Star Trek: Picard as a whole, but aren't sure how they like the current season might list themselves as TSTpic+++@.	|
 
 ```
 ()	=	for indicating "cross-overs" or ranges. Geeks who go from C+ to C— depending on the situation (i.e. mostly "C+") could use C+(—).