diff --git a/Doc/library/csv.rst b/Doc/library/csv.rst
index 5297be17bd708e..23104852952e86 100644
--- a/Doc/library/csv.rst
+++ b/Doc/library/csv.rst
@@ -14,23 +14,25 @@
 
 --------------
 
-The so-called CSV (Comma Separated Values) format is the most common import and
-export format for spreadsheets and databases.  CSV format was used for many
-years prior to attempts to describe the format in a standardized way in
-:rfc:`4180`.  The lack of a well-defined standard means that subtle differences
-often exist in the data produced and consumed by different applications.  These
-differences can make it annoying to process CSV files from multiple sources.
-Still, while the delimiters and quoting characters vary, the overall format is
-similar enough that it is possible to write a single module which can
-efficiently manipulate such data, hiding the details of reading and writing the
-data from the programmer.
+The Comma Separated Values (CSV) format is the most common import and
+export format for spreadsheets and databases. The basic format is columns
+of text data separated by a comma delimiter. The standards for CSV data are
+defined in :rfc:`4180`.
+
+The CSV format was used for many years before the standards were defined, and
+adherence to the standards is inconsistent. As a result, there can be variations
+in the delimiters and quoting characters in the CSV data that is produced and
+consumed by different applications.  These differences can make it troublesome to
+process CSV files from multiple sources.  However, the basic format is standard enough
+that a single module can efficiently manipulate this data and enable the programmer to
+read and write files without having to account for inconsistencies.
 
 The :mod:`csv` module implements classes to read and write tabular data in CSV
-format.  It allows programmers to say, "write this data in the format preferred
-by Excel," or "read data from this file which was generated by Excel," without
-knowing the precise details of the CSV format used by Excel.  Programmers can
-also describe the CSV formats understood by other applications or define their
-own special-purpose CSV formats.
+format.  For example, the module enables programmers to say, "write this data in the
+format preferred by Excel," or "read data from this file which was generated by Excel,"
+without knowing the precise details of the CSV format that is understood by Excel.
+Programmers can also describe CSV formats that are understood by other applications or
+define custom dialects (CSV formats) for specific use cases.
 
 The :mod:`csv` module's :class:`reader` and :class:`writer` objects read and
 write sequences.  Programmers can also read and write data in dictionary form