diff --git a/Documentation/git-add.txt b/Documentation/git-add.txt
index 73378b2bef..54aaaeb41b 100644
--- a/Documentation/git-add.txt
+++ b/Documentation/git-add.txt
@@ -92,9 +92,11 @@ See ``Interactive mode'' for details.
 	edit it.  After the editor was closed, adjust the hunk headers
 	and apply the patch to the index.
 +
-*NOTE*: Obviously, if you change anything else than the first character
-on lines beginning with a space or a minus, the patch will no longer
-apply.
+The intent of this option is to pick and choose lines of the patch to
+apply, or even to modify the contents of lines to be staged. This can be
+quicker and more flexible than using the interactive hunk selector.
+However, it is easy to confuse oneself and create a patch that does not
+apply to the index. See EDITING PATCHES below.
 
 -u::
 --update::
@@ -295,6 +297,78 @@ diff::
   This lets you review what will be committed (i.e. between
   HEAD and index).
 
+
+EDITING PATCHES
+---------------
+
+Invoking `git add -e` or selecting `e` from the interactive hunk
+selector will open a patch in your editor; after the editor exits, the
+result is applied to the index. You are free to make arbitrary changes
+to the patch, but note that some changes may have confusing results, or
+even result in a patch that cannot be applied.  If you want to abort the
+operation entirely (i.e., stage nothing new in the index), simply delete
+all lines of the patch. The list below describes some common things you
+may see in a patch, and which editing operations make sense on them.
+
+--
+added content::
+
+Added content is represented by lines beginning with "{plus}". You can
+prevent staging any addition lines by deleting them.
+
+removed content::
+
+Removed content is represented by lines beginning with "-". You can
+prevent staging their removal by converting the "-" to a " " (space).
+
+modified content::
+
+Modified content is represented by "-" lines (removing the old content)
+followed by "{plus}" lines (adding the replacement content). You can
+prevent staging the modification by converting "-" lines to " ", and
+removing "{plus}" lines. Beware that modifying only half of the pair is
+likely to introduce confusing changes to the index.
+--
+
+There are also more complex operations that can be performed. But beware
+that because the patch is applied only to the index and not the working
+tree, the working tree will appear to "undo" the change in the index.
+For example, introducing a a new line into the index that is in neither
+the HEAD nor the working tree will stage the new line for commit, but
+the line will appear to be reverted in the working tree.
+
+Avoid using these constructs, or do so with extreme caution.
+
+--
+removing untouched content::
+
+Content which does not differ between the index and working tree may be
+shown on context lines, beginning with a " " (space).  You can stage
+context lines for removal by converting the space to a "-". The
+resulting working tree file will appear to re-add the content.
+
+modifying existing content::
+
+One can also modify context lines by staging them for removal (by
+converting " " to "-") and adding a "{plus}" line with the new content.
+Similarly, one can modify "{plus}" lines for existing additions or
+modifications. In all cases, the new modification will appear reverted
+in the working tree.
+
+new content::
+
+You may also add new content that does not exist in the patch; simply
+add new lines, each starting with "{plus}". The addition will appear
+reverted in the working tree.
+--
+
+There are also several operations which should be avoided entirely, as
+they will make the patch impossible to apply:
+
+* adding context (" ") or removal ("-") lines
+* deleting context or removal lines
+* modifying the contents of context or removal lines
+
 SEE ALSO
 --------
 linkgit:git-status[1]