diff --git a/modules/comment/comment.module b/modules/comment/comment.module
index 393318a..f11ded6 100644
--- a/modules/comment/comment.module
+++ b/modules/comment/comment.module
@@ -1180,6 +1180,12 @@ function comment_form_node_type_form_alter(&$form, $form_state) {
         DRUPAL_REQUIRED => t('Required'),
       ),
     );
+    $form['comment']['comment_help']  = array(
+      '#type' => 'textarea',
+      '#title' => t('Explanation or submission guidelines'),
+      '#default_value' =>  variable_get('comment_help_' . $form['#node_type']->type, ''),
+      '#description' => t('This text will be displayed at the top of the comment submission form. It is useful for helping or instructing your users.')
+    );
   }
 }
 
@@ -1975,6 +1981,14 @@ function comment_form($form, &$form_state, $comment) {
     '#access' => $is_admin,
   );
 
+  // Display the comment help if specified.
+  if (variable_get('comment_help_' . $form['#node']->type, '')) {
+    $form['help'] = array(
+      '#markup' => '<p class="comment-help">' . variable_get('comment_help_' . $form['#node']->type, '') . '</p>',
+      '#weight' => -2,
+    );
+  }
+
   $form['subject'] = array(
     '#type' => 'textfield',
     '#title' => t('Subject'),