Self-contained units of knowledge that express a single, complete idea
Core Idea: Atomic notes capture exactly one distinct idea in a self-contained format, making them modular building blocks that can be recombined in various ways to generate new insights and connections.
Key Elements
Defining Characteristics
- Contains exactly one idea, concept, or insight
- Self-contained with sufficient context to stand alone
- Concise but complete (typically 100-500 words)
- Written in your own words rather than copied content
- Has a clear, descriptive title for easy reference
- Designed for long-term value and reusability
Functional Benefits
- Increases clarity of thought through focused writing
- Improves findability by avoiding topic conflation
- Enables precise, granular linking between concepts
- Facilitates knowledge recombination and serendipitous discovery
- Reduces cognitive load when reviewing information
- Allows flexible reorganization as understanding evolves
Implementation Approaches
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One Concept Per Note:
- Focus on explaining a single concept thoroughly
- Include enough context to understand without external references
- Avoid covering multiple topics or tangents
-
Conceptual Boundaries:
- Define clear edges where one concept ends and another begins
- Create complementary notes for related but distinct ideas
- Maintain consistent granularity across your knowledge base
-
Linking Strategy:
- Link to contextually related atomic notes
- Explain the relationship in the link context
- Create networks of related concepts
Common Challenges
- Determining appropriate note size and scope
- Avoiding notes that are too small and fragmentary
- Preventing notes that contain multiple ideas
- Maintaining consistency in atomicity across a knowledge base
- Finding the balance between completeness and concision
Connections
- Related Concepts: Zettelkasten Method (methodology using atomic notes), Evergreen Notes (similar concept in other systems)
- Broader Context: Personal Knowledge Management (field of practice), Modular Thinking (cognitive approach)
- Applications: Writing with Atomic Notes (composition technique), Research Synthesis (analytical method)
- Implementation Contexts: Molecular Zettelkasten (specific implementation), Digital Gardens (public expression)
References
- Ahrens, S. (2017). How to Take Smart Notes: One Simple Technique to Boost Writing, Learning and Thinking.
- Matuschak, A. (2019). Evergreen Notes. Retrieved from https://notes.andymatuschak.org/Evergreen_notes
- Tietze, C. (2021). The Principle of Atomicity. Retrieved from https://zettelkasten.de/posts/create-zettel-from-reading-notes/
#atomic-notes #zettelkasten #pkm #note-taking #knowledge-management
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