How to Take Smart Notes
by Sönke Ahrens · Sönke Ahrens
Book by Sönke Ahrens explaining Niklas Luhmann's slip-box (Zettelkasten) system and the research on writing and learning behind it. Readers learn to turn reading notes into permanent, linked notes that accumulate into material for essays, papers and books.
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More resources on Note-Taking Systems
obsidian.md
Obsidian.md is the official site for Obsidian, a local Markdown-based note-taking app that builds a connected knowledge graph via bidirectional links. It offers downloads, feature demos, documentation, tutorials, and access to community plugins and resources.
Forte Labs PARA
Tiago Forte's primary write-up of the PARA method, which sorts digital information into Projects, Areas, Resources and Archives by actionability rather than subject. It explains each category with examples and shows how to turn vague responsibilities into concrete projects.
Zettelkasten.de
Site run by Sascha Fast and Christian Tietze explaining the Zettelkasten note-taking method, with an introductory guide, long-form articles on linking atomic notes and developing ideas over time, and an active forum where practitioners discuss real implementations.
roamresearch.com
Roam Research is a note-taking tool focused on networked thought, offering bi-directional links, blocks, daily notes, and a graph view to create a connected personal knowledge base, with product details, pricing, tutorials, and a blog on the site.