How to apply the Zettelkasten method to large writing projects

You need to identify the knowledge blocks of a writing project in order to apply the Zettelkasten method.

I’ve always had some problems applying the Zettelkasten method to large writing projects (in my case, writing scientific publications). However, I believe that today I have finished consolidating the workflow that allows me to overcome these problems and unlock the power of the Zettelkasten method.

When we apply the Zettelkasten method to analyze/understand/think, the objective is to decompose and identify the blocks of knowledge (definitions, arguments, models, etc.) of what we are processing.

Well, when we use the Zettelkasten method to create (instead of processing), the workflow is the same: identify and create the blocks of knowledge necessary to complete the writing project.

In my case, this translates into identifying and creating the knowledge blocks of a scientific publication. Some examples of knowledge blocks are:

• The objective of the publication.
• The argument line of the publication.
• Each of the models in the publication.
• Each of the publication methods.
• Each of the results of the publication.

So once you can distinguish the blocks you can:

1. Create a structural note for each of the blocks.
2. Create a structural note that governs all blocks of the publication.

This way, you can apply the Zettelkasten method to bring each of them to life :-)