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