diff --git a/docs/DESIGN_GUIDELINES.md b/docs/DESIGN_GUIDELINES.md
index 87e7b2c07072d..06de3ba407792 100644
--- a/docs/DESIGN_GUIDELINES.md
+++ b/docs/DESIGN_GUIDELINES.md
@@ -126,8 +126,8 @@ The AWS Construct Library, which is shipped as part of the AWS CDK constructs
 representing AWS resources.
 
 The AWS Construct Library has multiple layers of constructs, beginning
-with low-level constructs, which we call _CFN Resources_ (or L1, short for
-"level 1") or CFN Resources (short for CloudFormation). These constructs
+with low-level constructs, which we call _CFN Resources_ (short for
+CloudFormation resources), or L1 (short for "level 1"). These constructs
 directly represent all resources available in AWS CloudFormation. CFN Resources
 are periodically generated from the AWS CloudFormation Resource
 Specification. They are named **Cfn**_Xyz_, where _Xyz_ is name of the
@@ -456,7 +456,7 @@ A prop should be *required* only if there is no possible sensible default value
 that can be provided *or calculated*.
 
 Sensible defaults have a tremendous impact on the developer experience. They
-offer a quick way to get started with minimal cognitive, but do not limit users
+offer a quick way to get started with minimal cognitive load, but do not limit users
 from harnessing the full power of the resource, and customizing its behavior.
 
 > A good way to determine what's the right sensible default is to refer to the