diff --git a/reference/session/functions/session-start.xml b/reference/session/functions/session-start.xml
index 788bf4ade4..5bc9d94ede 100644
--- a/reference/session/functions/session-start.xml
+++ b/reference/session/functions/session-start.xml
@@ -14,28 +14,32 @@
   </methodsynopsis>
   <para>
    <function>session_start</function> creates a session or resumes the
-   current one based on the current session id that's being passed via a
-   request, such as GET, POST, or a cookie.
+   current one based on a session identifier passed via a GET or POST
+   request, or passed via a cookie.
   </para>
   <para>
-   If you want to use a named session, you must call
+   To use a named session, call
    <function>session_name</function> before calling
    <function>session_start</function>.
   </para>
   <para>
-   <function>session_start</function> will register internal output handler
-   for URL rewriting when <literal>trans-sid</literal> is enabled. If a user
-   uses <literal>ob_gzhandler</literal> or like with
-   <function>ob_start</function>, the order of output handler is important
-   for proper output. For example, user must register
-   <literal>ob_gzhandler</literal> before session start.
+   When <link linkend="ini.session.use-trans-sid">session.use_trans_sid</link>
+   is enabled, the <function>session_start</function> function will
+   register an internal output handler for URL rewriting.
+  </para>
+  <para>
+   If a user uses <literal>ob_gzhandler</literal> or similar with
+   <function>ob_start</function>, the function order is important for
+   proper output.  For example,
+   <literal>ob_gzhandler</literal> must be registered before starting the session.
   </para>
  </refsect1>
 
  <refsect1 role="returnvalues">
   &reftitle.returnvalues;
   <para>
-   This function returns &true; if session was started with success otherwise &false;.
+   This function returns &true; if a session was successfully started,
+   otherwise &false;.
   </para>
  </refsect1>
 
@@ -54,17 +58,17 @@
       <row>
        <entry>5.3.0</entry>
        <entry>
-        If session fails to start for some reason, then &false; is returned 
-        where previously &true; always was returned.
+        If a session fails to start, then &false; is returned.
+        Previously &true; was returned.
        </entry>
       </row>
       <row>
        <entry>4.3.3</entry>
        <entry>
-        As of now, calling <function>session_start</function> while the
-        session has already been started will result in an error of level
-        <constant>E_NOTICE</constant>.  Also, the second session start will
-        simply be ignored.
+        As of PHP 4.3.3, calling <function>session_start</function>
+        after the session was previously started will result in an
+        error of level <constant>E_NOTICE</constant>.  Also, the
+        second session start will simply be ignored.
        </entry>
       </row>
      </tbody>
@@ -138,22 +142,21 @@ echo '<br /><a href="page1.php">page 1</a>';
   &reftitle.notes;
   <note>
    <para>
-    If you are using cookie-based sessions, you must call
-    <function>session_start</function> before anything is outputted to the
-    browser.
+    To use cookie-based sessions, <function>session_start</function>
+    must be called before outputing anything to the browser.
    </para>
   </note>
   <note>
    <para>
     Use of <link linkend="ini.zlib.output-compression">zlib.output_compression</link>
-    is recommended rather than <function>ob_gzhandler</function>
+    is recommended instead of <function>ob_gzhandler</function>
    </para>
   </note>
   <note>
    <para>
-    This function will send out several HTTP headers depending on the
-    configuration. See <function>session_cache_limiter</function> to customize
-    these headers.
+    This function sends out several HTTP headers depending on the
+    configuration. See <function>session_cache_limiter</function> to
+    customize these headers.
    </para>
   </note>
  </refsect1>