diff --git a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE.md b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE.md
index 6e17e9548a..7c17eca414 100644
--- a/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE.md
+++ b/.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE.md
@@ -1,19 +1,30 @@
-Check out [this issue](https://github.com/ParsePlatform/parse-server/issues/1271) for an ideal bug report. The closer your issue report is to that one, the more likely we are to be able to help, and the more likely we will be to fix the issue quickly!
+Check out https://github.com/ParsePlatform/parse-server/issues/1271 for an ideal bug report. The closer your issue report is to that one, the more likely we are to be able to help, and the more likely we will be to fix the issue quickly!
 
-For implementation related questions or technical support, please refer to the [Stack Overflow](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/tagged/parse.com) and [Server Fault](https://serverfault.com/tags/parse) communities. For database migration help, please [file a bug report](https://parse.com/help#report).
+Many members of the community use Stack Overflow and Server Fault to ask questions. Read through the existing questions or ask your own!
+
+- Stack Overflow: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/tagged/parse.com 
+- Server Fault: https://serverfault.com/tags/parse
+
+For database migration help, please file a bug report at https://parse.com/help#report
 
 Make sure these boxes are checked before submitting your issue -- thanks for reporting issues back to Parse Server!
 
-- [ ] You've met the [prerequisites](https://github.com/ParsePlatform/parse-server/wiki/Parse-Server-Guide#prerequisites).
+- [ ] You've met the prerequisites: https://github.com/ParsePlatform/parse-server/wiki/Parse-Server-Guide#prerequisites.
 
-- [ ] You're running the [latest version](https://github.com/ParsePlatform/parse-server/releases) of Parse Server.
+- [ ] You're running the latest version of Parse Server: https://github.com/ParsePlatform/parse-server/releases
 
-- [ ] You've searched through [existing issues](https://github.com/ParsePlatform/parse-server/issues?utf8=%E2%9C%93&q=). Chances are that your issue has been reported or resolved before.
+- [ ] You've searched through existing issues: https://github.com/ParsePlatform/Parse-Server/issues?utf8=%E2%9C%93&q=is%3Aissue Chances are that your issue has been reported or resolved before.
 
 #### Environment Setup
 
+- Server: parse-server version, operating system, hardware, local or remote?
+- Database: version, storage engine, hardware, local or remote?
 
 #### Steps to reproduce
 
+- Can this issue be reproduced using the Parse Server REST API? Include curl commands when applicable.
+- What was the expected result? What is the actual outcome?
 
 #### Logs/Trace
+
+- You can turn on additional logging by configuring VERBOSE=1 in your environment.