How to do Zettelkasten for Thesis Writing

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Use a Zettelkasten/Obsidian system to organise and remember_ what you read

This is a knowledge management method that mirrors how your brain works — through connections, not just storage.

🔹 What is Zettelkasten?

• A system of atomic notes: Each note has only one idea or concept.
• Notes are interlinked like a web — you build your own personal network of knowledge.

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🔸 How to Use It with Obsidian

Step 1: One Source = One Summary Note

• Title: Author Year - Title of Paper

• Include:

  • Brief summary (3–5 lines)

  • Key arguments

  • Relevant quotes

  • Citation info

  • Tags (e.g., #ecology, #pastoralism, #Changthang, etc.)

Step 2: Break it Down into Atomic Notes
For example, from one paper:

• Pastoral mobility and land tenure

• Effect of border militarization on yak herders

• Snow leopards and changing prey patterns

Each of these gets its own note with:

• Summary in your words

• Link back to the source note

• Your thoughts or how it links to your thesis

Step 3: Link Notes Together

• Example: If you have one note on climate vulnerability and another on government schemes, you can link them:
  ➜ In Obsidian: [[climate vulnerability]] in the government schemes note

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🔹 Why It Works

• Mimics your brain’s non-linear thinking
• Helps you remember because you’re processing and reshaping ideas
• When you write your thesis, you’ll have a network of connected ideas ready

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