diff --git a/beacon_chain/types/src/readers/block_reader.rs b/beacon_chain/types/src/readers/block_reader.rs
index 1698a0380..91a2852ac 100644
--- a/beacon_chain/types/src/readers/block_reader.rs
+++ b/beacon_chain/types/src/readers/block_reader.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,15 @@
 use crate::{BeaconBlock, Hash256};
+use std::fmt::Debug;
 
-pub trait BeaconBlockReader {
+/// The `BeaconBlockReader` provides interfaces for reading a subset of fields of a `BeaconBlock`.
+///
+/// The purpose of this trait is to allow reading from either;
+///  - a standard `BeaconBlock` struct, or
+///  - a SSZ serialized byte array.
+///
+/// Note: presently, direct SSZ reading has not been implemented so this trait is being used for
+/// "future proofing".
+pub trait BeaconBlockReader: Debug + PartialEq {
     fn slot(&self) -> u64;
     fn parent_root(&self) -> Hash256;
     fn state_root(&self) -> Hash256;
diff --git a/beacon_chain/types/src/readers/state_reader.rs b/beacon_chain/types/src/readers/state_reader.rs
index cbbf0854c..47266bd36 100644
--- a/beacon_chain/types/src/readers/state_reader.rs
+++ b/beacon_chain/types/src/readers/state_reader.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,15 @@
 use crate::{BeaconState, Hash256};
+use std::fmt::Debug;
 
-pub trait BeaconStateReader {
+/// The `BeaconStateReader` provides interfaces for reading a subset of fields of a `BeaconState`.
+///
+/// The purpose of this trait is to allow reading from either;
+///  - a standard `BeaconState` struct, or
+///  - a SSZ serialized byte array.
+///
+/// Note: presently, direct SSZ reading has not been implemented so this trait is being used for
+/// "future proofing".
+pub trait BeaconStateReader: Debug + PartialEq {
     fn slot(&self) -> u64;
     fn canonical_root(&self) -> Hash256;
     fn into_beacon_state(self) -> Option<BeaconState>;