diff --git a/docs/05-reusable-components.md b/docs/05-reusable-components.md
index 7b92692f..3861b93b 100644
--- a/docs/05-reusable-components.md
+++ b/docs/05-reusable-components.md
@@ -213,7 +213,7 @@ class HelloMessage extends React.Component {
 ReactDOM.render(<HelloMessage name="Sebastian" />, mountNode);
 ```
 
-The API is similar to `React.createClass` with the exception of `getInitialState`. Instead of providing a separate `getInitialState` method, you set up your own `state` property in the constructor.
+The API is similar to `React.createClass` with the exception of `getInitialState`. Instead of providing a separate `getInitialState` method, you set up your own `state` property in the constructor. Just like the return value of `getInitialState`, the value you assign to `this.state` will be used as the initial state for your component.
 
 Another difference is that `propTypes` and `defaultProps` are defined as properties on the constructor instead of in the class body.