diff --git a/dotnet-desktop-guide/framework/winforms/controls/defining-default-values-with-the-shouldserialize-and-reset-methods.md b/dotnet-desktop-guide/framework/winforms/controls/defining-default-values-with-the-shouldserialize-and-reset-methods.md
index 2bd31b7722..c85725b9cf 100644
--- a/dotnet-desktop-guide/framework/winforms/controls/defining-default-values-with-the-shouldserialize-and-reset-methods.md
+++ b/dotnet-desktop-guide/framework/winforms/controls/defining-default-values-with-the-shouldserialize-and-reset-methods.md
@@ -19,19 +19,22 @@ ms.assetid: 7b6c5e00-3771-46b4-9142-5a80d5864a5e
 
 - The designer generates more efficient code.
 
-    > [!NOTE]
-    > Either apply the <xref:System.ComponentModel.DefaultValueAttribute> or provide `Reset`*PropertyName* and `ShouldSerialize`*PropertyName* methods. Do not use both.
+> [!NOTE]
+> Either apply the <xref:System.ComponentModel.DefaultValueAttribute> or provide `Reset`*PropertyName* and `ShouldSerialize`*PropertyName* methods. Do not use both.
+
+When declaring a `ShouldSerialize` or `Reset` method, use the `private` access modifier. These methods are usually invoked by the designer and not by user code.
 
  The `Reset`*PropertyName* method sets a property to its default value, as shown in the following code fragment.
 
 ```vb
-Public Sub ResetMyFont()
+Private Sub ResetMyFont()
    MyFont = Nothing
 End Sub
 ```
 
 ```csharp
-public void ResetMyFont() {
+private void ResetMyFont()
+{
    MyFont = null;
 }
 ```
@@ -44,15 +47,16 @@ public void ResetMyFont() {
 ```vb
 'Returns true if the font has changed; otherwise, returns false.
 ' The designer writes code to the form only if true is returned.
-Public Function ShouldSerializeMyFont() As Boolean
-   Return Not (thefont Is Nothing)
+Private Function ShouldSerializeMyFont() As Boolean
+   Return thefont IsNot Nothing
 End Function
 ```
 
 ```csharp
 // Returns true if the font has changed; otherwise, returns false.
 // The designer writes code to the form only if true is returned.
-public bool ShouldSerializeMyFont() {
+private bool ShouldSerializeMyFont()
+{
    return thefont != null;
 }
 ```
@@ -94,11 +98,11 @@ Public Class MyControl
       End Set
    End Property
 
-   Public Function ShouldSerializeMyFont() As Boolean
-      Return Not (thefont Is Nothing)
+   Private Function ShouldSerializeMyFont() As Boolean
+      Return thefont IsNot Nothing
    End Function
 
-   Public Sub ResetMyFont()
+   Private Sub ResetMyFont()
       MyFont = Nothing
    End Sub
 End Class
@@ -128,11 +132,13 @@ public class MyControl : Control {
       }
    }
 
-   public bool ShouldSerializeMyFont() {
+   private bool ShouldSerializeMyFont()
+   {
       return thefont != null;
    }
 
-   public void ResetMyFont() {
+   private void ResetMyFont()
+   {
       MyFont = null;
    }
 }