Prefer notes that describe a relationship

When writing permanent zettelkasten-style notes in order to build an understanding over time, preferring notes which describe a relationship will explore deeply a link between two or more ideas.

According to educational constructivism, understanding requires ideas to have context. This is so the context forms relationships between things you know already and the new subject. Building notes describing these relationships explicitly will focus the process and engage you with the task - understanding needs active learner engagement.

As a direct example, this note explores the relationship between note-taking, understanding, educational constructivism and graph-theory!

The 'nodes' on the knowledge graph should still exist as notes - but try to let 'noun' notes collect backlinks for a while before expanding on them (you should find a way to collect contextual backlinks in your notes first)

Backlinks

• Atomic Notes
  • When writing notes, a written note should be indivisible. A single concept that can then be composed into more complex thoughts that may spark new ideas or connections which hadn't been seen before. Ideally, the concept it explores should be a relationship (Prefer notes that describe a relationship).
• Let 'noun' notes collect backlinks for a while
  • When you first define a permanent zettelkasten-style note for a noun (usually a 'thing' or a concept in isolation) try to write about it Prefering notes which explore a relationship. This lets the new noun note act as a hub for not only the ideas about it but also a hub for connections to other concepts. You'll need to find a way to collect contextual backlinks for maximum impact.
• Title notes imperatively or declaratively
  • Where a note describes a relationship, the title should reflect this by being declarative. Declarative titles apply pressure for you to strongly back up your claim, and when titled well should immediately suggest the content of the note. An example: Understanding requires ideas to have context.