Consuming Content

While consuming content, I quickly create Fleeting Notes on any new or interesting points. These include highlights, underlines, and marginalia, etc. along with their locations within the source (if not implicitly captured).

I also add the source to my reference manager (Reference Notes) tagged with #inbox. This includes an APA citation and a brief 1-2 sentence description of the source.

In cases where highlighting and adding notes within the source itself is not possible, I take temporary Fleeting Notes directly in the Reference Note.

Processing Content

While processing content I’ve consumed, I simply review each Fleeting Note (which are really just bookmarked locations in the source) and ask whether it’s something for remembering, or for reasoning?

Notes for Remembering

If it's something I want readily available in memory, I create flashcards for spaced repetition. These tend to be specific facts, details, or syntaxes to remember—especially for certification exams.

When it's valuable to do so, I also add a citation in the flashcard referencing where in the source it was taken from.

Notes for Reasoning

If it's something to think or reason about, I create/update Permanent Notes. In practice, this includes more abstract concepts/ideas, as well as concrete details saved for reference.

I also add citations with locations and excerpts from the source it was taken from.

Cleaning Up

After processing has been completed, I remove the #inbox tag and any temporary Fleeting Notes from the Reference Note.

• Note types in my Zettelkasten system
• Zettelkasten isn’t for documenting ideas; it’s for developing them
• Zettelkasten can be used in PARA
• Cornell Notes Method