REU Summer Seminar Series
July 7, 2008
Giving an Effective Poster Presentation
Facts - Hints
Elements of a Poster
Organization and Layout
Aesthetic Issues
Final Points
Giving an Effective Poster Presentation
You only get about 11 seconds to get the interest of a reader!
Facts - Hints
Make your poster easy to understand so that ideas can be grasped in one reading
Looks are important, so take care when you preparing your poster. Do not make it too fancy, try to avoid cluttered look, and occupy only 65 to 75 percent of your available space
Facts - Hints
Elements of a Poster
Title Abstract Introduction Experimental Procedure Data/Results Conclusions Acknowledgments References
Title
Title– Make the title the most prominent block of text on the
poster – Catching, simple, able to be seen from 20 feet away
Author(s)– Always use first and last name – Use middle initials if space permits
Institution– Institution and department– City names and state names can be dropped
Abstract
This section is not always a requirement
Follow guidelines
Identify what is being studied, how you are studying it
Identify your hypothesis
State your findings
Introduction
Less in-depth than an introduction for a paper
Highlight and focus on:
– Questions raised and answered by previous research
– The question you are asking and why you are asking it
Experimental Procedures
Present only the basics - your audience isn't trying to replicate your study at this moment, they just want to know basic experimental design
Introduction and Experimental Procedures shouldn’t be more than one column of your poster
Data/Results
Use graphic/visual elements:
– Tables
– Charts
– Pictures
– Graphs
Include a descriptive label for each graphic
Below each graphic include a brief written description of what the graphic is and the interpretation of its data
Conclusion
Be concise and clear
Highlight:
– What you found, and its importance
– Parallels and discrepancies with previous research and theory
– The direction of future research
Acknowledgments Acknowledge the funding agency that supported this
research
Acknowledge those professionals and research assistants outside of the authors that contributed to your study
Acknowledgements: The author thanks the National Science Foundation and the University of Kentucky Center of Membrane Sciences for financial support of this research. The work was completed as part of a NSF-REU Program at the University of Kentucky Center of Membrane Sciences.
References
This section is not always a requirement
Follow format
In this section you can add references that contain the work presented or similar work from your group
Organization and Layout
What does a poster look like?
Organization and layout A general guide to poster layout:
Conclusion
Acknowledgments
References
Aesthetic Issues
Color:
– Used effectively, color is an effective method of attracting people to your poster
– If you use color, stick to using a set number of colors in a consistent pattern
– Limit your color use to 2-3 colors
– Use contrasting colors for readability and a professional
look
Aesthetic Issues
Layout:
– Limited space doesn’t mean you can cram things together
– Use a consistent spacing rule between each element of your poster
– Try to align content along vertical and horizontal lines
Final Points
There are always things that go wrong!
If you have little experience making posters, it will take longer
Prepare handouts that highlight the key points of your research
Do not wander too far away from your poster during the session; be available for discussion
Enthusiasm is contagious
An effective poster is…
Focused: Focused on a single message
Graphic: Lets graphs and images tell the story, use texts sparsely
Ordered: Keep the sequence well-ordered and obvious
Make your poster appointment ahead of time: SSTARS Center 257-9260
Resources
http://www.hbv2003.slu.edu/poster_links.html
http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/asl/guides/bio/posters.html
http://www.asp.org/education/howto_onPosters.html
http://faculty.fullerton.edu/kkantardjieff/C340/Posters_files/frame.htm
http://www.kumc.edu/SAH/OTEd/jradel/Poster_Presentations/PstrStart.html
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