diff --git a/src/Microsoft.AspNetCore.Authentication/RemoteAuthenticationHandler.cs b/src/Microsoft.AspNetCore.Authentication/RemoteAuthenticationHandler.cs
index 72a4fe5900..5891a005d3 100644
--- a/src/Microsoft.AspNetCore.Authentication/RemoteAuthenticationHandler.cs
+++ b/src/Microsoft.AspNetCore.Authentication/RemoteAuthenticationHandler.cs
@@ -87,6 +87,12 @@ namespace Microsoft.AspNetCore.Authentication
             return true;
         }
 
+        /// <summary>
+        /// Authenticate the user identity with the identity provider. 
+        ///
+        /// This could be done through a back channel communication with the identity provider. Exception thrown during
+        /// the authenticating should be saved to the AuthenticateResult.
+        /// </summary>
         protected abstract Task<AuthenticateResult> HandleRemoteAuthenticateAsync();
 
         protected override async Task<AuthenticateResult> HandleAuthenticateAsync()