up:: [[PKM MOC]] Tags:: #🌱 # Types of notes in your PKM system With all the content being created inside the Personal Knowledge Community especially about zettelkastens it can be confusing on what the different notes in your system should be labeled. I'll try my best to define the main note types I have heard and how they integrate into my zettelkasten workflow. ### ✈️Fleeting Notes [[Fleeting notes]] are passing thoughts that you have throughout your day. They are usually one to two sentences long and exist only to remind you of the idea you had in the moment. If you don't process them within two days of creation, you will probably forget what they mean. These types of notes go into the +Encounters folder mentioned up above. ### 📚Literature Notes Next are your [[Literature notes]], your notes from the various pieces of information you consume like podcasts, academic papers, books, etc. These are the highlights that come from Readwise into my Sources folder awaiting summarization and integration into the rest of my zettelkasten system. ### ⚛️Atomic Notes and Zettels Next is where it gets a little confusing. I have heard two terms for the next type of note in the zettelkasten system: [[Concept notes]] and [[Zettels]]. These are the notes you create from your literature notes written in your own words and connected to other notes in your system. Importantly, these notes are written in your own words and contain references back to the original literature notes where you got the information. In addition, they are so atomic in their idea that they make sense even out of context of the literature notes from which they come from. This is what allows you to connect them to other notes in your system. ### 🌲Permanent Notes and Evergreen Notes Finally, we have [[Permanent notes]] and [[Evergreen Notes]]. These are evolved atomic notes and zettels which you have gone back to, fleshed out, and heavily connected to other parts of your system. They are the most valuable notes in your system. Enough time has passed for them to benefit from [[The Lindy Effect]], an effect that states the future life expectancy of something is directly proportionate to how long it has already been around. For example, a book which has been out for five decades can be expected to be around for another five decades. ### Input, Idea, and Output Notes One concept I found particularly helpful from Bianca's [[Build Your Knowledge Portfolio]] course, was the idea that even your different types of notes have different types. Let me explain. Input notes are notes made from outside sources, with links back to the original source for crediting. These are essentially literature notes but they could also come from conversations. Idea notes are notes showing your unique interpretation and attempt work understanding various input notes and even other idea notes. They are written for yourself. Finally, output notes are notes written for outside expression. This doesn't mean they are the final expression. They are instead the intermediary between your PKM system and your medium of expression. Often times, they just have the linear sequence of ideas that you will use to create your output. But often times having the link to the output inside of your output note can be super helpful as it's easier to find that note in your system than online. [[What determines a notes value]] Related: ___ # Resources