+@node Command basics
+@chapter Basic overview
+
+A command shell is a means of entering verbally-formed commands. This
+is really all that it does, and every feature described in this manual
+is a means to that end. Therefore, it's important to take firm hold on
+exactly what a command is, and how it fits in the overall picture of
+things.
+
+@menu
+* Commands verbs:: Commands always begin with a verb.
+* Command arguments:: Some verbs require arguments.
+@end menu
+
+@node Commands verbs
+@section Commands verbs
+
+Commands are expressed using @dfn{script}, a special shorthand language
+computers can understand with no trouble. Script is an extremely simple
+language; oddly enough, this is what makes it look so complicated!
+Whereas normal languages use a variety of embellishments, the form of a
+script command is always:
+
+@example
+@var{verb} [@var{arguments}]
+@end example
+
+The verb expresses what you want your computer to do. There are a fixed
+number of verbs, although this number is usually quite large. On the
+author's computer, it reaches almost 1400 in number. But of course,
+only a handful of these are really necessary.
+
+Sometimes, the verb is all that's written. A verb is always a single
+word, usually related to the task it performs. @command{reboot} is a
+good example. Entering that on GNU/Linux will reboot the
+computer---assuming you have sufficient privileges.
+
+Other verbs require more information. These are usually very capable
+verbs, and must be told specifically what to do. The extra information
+is given in the form of @dfn{arguments}. For example, the
+@command{echo} verb prints back whatever arguments you type. It
+requires these arguments to know what to echo. A proper use of
+@command{echo} looks like this:
+
+@example
+echo This is an example of using echo!
+@end example