diff --git a/source/reference/method/rs.stepDown.txt b/source/reference/method/rs.stepDown.txt
index c07c1170719..a57a55bfbf3 100644
--- a/source/reference/method/rs.stepDown.txt
+++ b/source/reference/method/rs.stepDown.txt
@@ -15,15 +15,15 @@ Description
 
 .. method:: rs.stepDown(stepDownSecs, secondaryCatchUpPeriodSecs)
 
-   Forces the :term:`primary` of the replica set to become a
-   :term:`secondary`, triggering an :ref:`election for primary
+   Triggers the :term:`primary` of the replica set to become a
+   :term:`secondary`.  This in turn triggers an :ref:`election for primary
    <replica-set-election-internals>`. The method steps down the primary
    for a specified number of seconds; during this period, the stepdown
    member is ineligible from becoming primary.
 
    The method only steps down the primary if an :data:`electable
    <~replSetGetConfig.members[n].priority>` secondary is up-to-date
-   with the primary, waiting up to 10 seconds for a secondary to catch
+   with the primary, waiting up to 10 seconds, by default, for a secondary to catch
    up.
 
    The method is only valid against the primary and will error if run