I've Been Following the Zettelkasten Method the Wrong Way—I'm Fixing It
14 Apr 2026 #miscIn 2020, I discovered the Zettelkasten method, and it transformed my note-taking.
Back then, I read How to Take Smart Notes and started my “perverted” digital version.
Recently, to stay away from screens, I decided to give Zettelkasten another try.
A rabbit hole led me to:
- a Luhmann’s essay, showing how to use bibliographical or literature notes.
- a paper on his system, with photos of Luhmann’s notes as examples.
- a helpful blog, clarifying what to put into a main or permanent note.
Here’s what I learned to revive my Zettelkasten with pen and paper:
#1. The goal isn’t to take notes, but to write. Read while keeping your existing notes and projects in mind.
#2. Read with pen and paper, and keep a bibliographical note. Write page numbers, timestamps, and keywords. Make it a personal index for a book or resource.
When reading a book, Luhmann wrote its bibliographical information on one side of a card and on the other side, page numbers and keywords. He kept one or two cards per book.
#3. Don’t write excerpts or quotes in main notes. Add your interpretations of what you consume. If it triggers a thought or an aha moment, make it a main note. Optionally, reference the bibliographical note that sparked it.
In my perverted version, I kept bibliographical and main notes in one file. I put my interpretations in the top half, instead of using a main note.
Strictly speaking, I was only taking bibliographical notes. I was keeping a commonplace book, not a Zettelkasten.
#4. Link between a new note and existing notes. Think of hyperlinks between notes.
#5. Create an index card for keywords and subjects.
Even without following the method to the letter, using separate pieces of paper is simple but effective to organize and connect ideas. Useful when outlining presentations or books.