diff --git a/src/xdocs/contributing.xml b/src/xdocs/contributing.xml
index 8bfc9220e..7129a8b57 100644
--- a/src/xdocs/contributing.xml
+++ b/src/xdocs/contributing.xml
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@
 
       <p>
         <b>ATTENTION:</b> Please provide single-line meaningful message for commit with reference to github issue or Pull Request for more details.<br/>
-        Ideal format for message is "Brief message ..... . #NUMBER". Where NUMBER is Issue or Pull Request number at github.
+        Ideal format for message is "Issue #Number: Brief single-line message ..... .". Where NUMBER is Issue or Pull Request number at github.
         <a href="https://github.com/checkstyle/checkstyle/commit/9303fd9d971eb55cdfd62686ba2f5698edb2c83e">Good example</a>
       </p>