What is the trick?

How do you place your code inserts that you share in your replies into a text box? I have tried wrapping the HTML

 and  tags around my code, but it hasn't been working for me. For instance,<BR /><BR /><pre>Pre-formated code here</pre><BR /><BR /><textarea rows='2' cols='10' id='test'>Pre-formated code here

What am I missing? What is the trick?