diff --git a/src/fn/methods.md b/src/fn/methods.md
index 8e8c10ced4..bd5d997f0d 100644
--- a/src/fn/methods.md
+++ b/src/fn/methods.md
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
-# Methods
+# Associated functions & Methods
 
-Methods are functions attached to objects. These methods have access to the
-data of the object and its other methods via the `self` keyword. Methods are
-defined under an `impl` block.
+Some functions are connected to a particular type. These come in two forms:
+associated functions, and methods. Associated functions are functions that
+are defined on a type generally, while methods are associated functions that are
+called on a particular instance of a type.
 
 ```rust,editable
 struct Point {
@@ -10,16 +11,18 @@ struct Point {
     y: f64,
 }
 
-// Implementation block, all `Point` methods go in here
+// Implementation block, all `Point` associated functions & methods go in here
 impl Point {
-    // This is a static method
-    // Static methods don't need to be called by an instance
-    // These methods are generally used as constructors
+    // This is an "associated function" because this function is associated with
+    // a particular type, that is, Point.
+    //
+    // Associated functions don't need to be called with an instance.
+    // These functions are generally used like constructors.
     fn origin() -> Point {
         Point { x: 0.0, y: 0.0 }
     }
 
-    // Another static method, taking two arguments:
+    // Another associated function, taking two arguments:
     fn new(x: f64, y: f64) -> Point {
         Point { x: x, y: y }
     }
@@ -31,7 +34,7 @@ struct Rectangle {
 }
 
 impl Rectangle {
-    // This is an instance method
+    // This is a method
     // `&self` is sugar for `self: &Self`, where `Self` is the type of the
     // caller object. In this case `Self` = `Rectangle`
     fn area(&self) -> f64 {
@@ -80,12 +83,12 @@ impl Pair {
 
 fn main() {
     let rectangle = Rectangle {
-        // Static methods are called using double colons
+        // Associated functions are called using double colons
         p1: Point::origin(),
         p2: Point::new(3.0, 4.0),
     };
 
-    // Instance methods are called using the dot operator
+    // Methods are called using the dot operator
     // Note that the first argument `&self` is implicitly passed, i.e.
     // `rectangle.perimeter()` === `Rectangle::perimeter(&rectangle)`
     println!("Rectangle perimeter: {}", rectangle.perimeter());
@@ -112,4 +115,4 @@ fn main() {
     //pair.destroy();
     // TODO ^ Try uncommenting this line
 }
-```
\ No newline at end of file
+```
diff --git a/src/std_misc/file/create.md b/src/std_misc/file/create.md
index 16eba89747..709213c9df 100644
--- a/src/std_misc/file/create.md
+++ b/src/std_misc/file/create.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # `create`
 
-The `create` static method opens a file in write-only mode. If the file
+The `create` function opens a file in write-only mode. If the file
 already existed, the old content is destroyed. Otherwise, a new file is
 created.
 
diff --git a/src/std_misc/file/open.md b/src/std_misc/file/open.md
index 16fdb2c91c..77a5470fa3 100644
--- a/src/std_misc/file/open.md
+++ b/src/std_misc/file/open.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # `open`
 
-The `open` static method can be used to open a file in read-only mode.
+The `open` function can be used to open a file in read-only mode.
 
 A `File` owns a resource, the file descriptor and takes care of closing the
 file when it is `drop`ed.
diff --git a/src/trait.md b/src/trait.md
index 7878d4742b..d4d4094683 100644
--- a/src/trait.md
+++ b/src/trait.md
@@ -12,10 +12,10 @@ methods from `Animal` with a `Sheep`.
 struct Sheep { naked: bool, name: &'static str }
 
 trait Animal {
-    // Static method signature; `Self` refers to the implementor type.
+    // Associated function signature; `Self` refers to the implementor type.
     fn new(name: &'static str) -> Self;
 
-    // Instance method signatures; these will return a string.
+    // Method signatures; these will return a string.
     fn name(&self) -> &'static str;
     fn noise(&self) -> &'static str;
 
@@ -77,4 +77,4 @@ fn main() {
     dolly.shear();
     dolly.talk();
 }
-```
\ No newline at end of file
+```