diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.yml b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.yml
index d4b59f7..47fb7aa 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.yml
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug_report.yml
@@ -89,6 +89,6 @@ body:
     id: own-words
     attributes:
       label: Your own words
+      description: Please write the issue in your own words; short and plain is fine. It shows us what you understood. Please don't paste generated text.
       options:
         - label: I wrote this issue in my own words.
-          required: true
diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.yml b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.yml
index a778aed..7ebcf87 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.yml
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature_request.yml
@@ -56,6 +56,6 @@ body:
     id: own-words
     attributes:
       label: Your own words
+      description: Please write the issue in your own words; short and plain is fine. It shows us what you understood. Please don't paste generated text.
       options:
         - label: I wrote this issue in my own words.
-          required: true
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 715496f..06355ce 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -78,8 +78,9 @@ Using AI tools is fine; please just be open about it.
 - Say in the PR description which AI tools you used, if any: none, some or
   most, plus the tool or agent and the model (for example "Claude Code,
   Opus 5.5" or "Copilot, GPT-5").
-- Write the PR description and any issues yourself, in your own words. Short,
-  plain descriptions are welcome; please don't paste generated text.
+- Please write the PR description in your own words; short and plain is fine.
+  It shows us what you understood about the change. Please don't paste
+  generated text.
 - Read, run and test every line you submit, and be ready to explain it in
   review.
 - If the disclosure is missing, a check adds a reminder to the PR. It does