diff --git a/README.rst b/README.rst
index e58b904d3b..3afba227fb 100644
--- a/README.rst
+++ b/README.rst
@@ -1,23 +1,23 @@
 Django is a high-level Python Web framework that encourages rapid development
 and clean, pragmatic design. Thanks for checking it out.
 
-All documentation is in the "docs" directory and online at
+All documentation is in the "``docs``" directory and online at
 https://docs.djangoproject.com/en/stable/. If you're just getting started,
 here's how we recommend you read the docs:
 
-* First, read docs/intro/install.txt for instructions on installing Django.
+* First, read ``docs/intro/install.txt`` for instructions on installing Django.
 
-* Next, work through the tutorials in order (docs/intro/tutorial01.txt,
-  docs/intro/tutorial02.txt, etc.).
+* Next, work through the tutorials in order (``docs/intro/tutorial01.txt``,
+  ``docs/intro/tutorial02.txt``, etc.).
 
 * If you want to set up an actual deployment server, read
-  docs/howto/deployment/index.txt for instructions.
+  ``docs/howto/deployment/index.txt`` for instructions.
 
-* You'll probably want to read through the topical guides (in docs/topics)
-  next; from there you can jump to the HOWTOs (in docs/howto) for specific
-  problems, and check out the reference (docs/ref) for gory details.
+* You'll probably want to read through the topical guides (in ``docs/topics``)
+  next; from there you can jump to the HOWTOs (in ``docs/howto``) for specific
+  problems, and check out the reference (``docs/ref``) for gory details.
 
-* See docs/README for instructions on building an HTML version of the docs.
+* See ``docs/README`` for instructions on building an HTML version of the docs.
 
 Docs are updated rigorously. If you find any problems in the docs, or think
 they should be clarified in any way, please take 30 seconds to fill out a
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ ticket here: https://code.djangoproject.com/newticket
 
 To get more help:
 
-* Join the #django channel on irc.freenode.net. Lots of helpful people hang out
+* Join the ``#django`` channel on irc.freenode.net. Lots of helpful people hang out
   there. Read the archives at http://django-irc-logs.com/.
 
 * Join the django-users mailing list, or read the archives, at
@@ -39,5 +39,5 @@ To contribute to Django:
 To run Django's test suite:
 
 * Follow the instructions in the "Unit tests" section of
-  docs/internals/contributing/writing-code/unit-tests.txt, published online at
+  ``docs/internals/contributing/writing-code/unit-tests.txt``, published online at
   https://docs.djangoproject.com/en/dev/internals/contributing/writing-code/unit-tests/#running-the-unit-tests