CREATING & GIVING AN EFFECTIVE
POSTER PRESENTATION
PVAMU – RESEARCH EXPERIENCE PROGRAMS
OUTLINE
• Purpose of a Poster Presentation
• Creating an effective Poster Presentation
• Presenting an effective Poster
• Poster Layout & Design Guidelines
• PVAMU REU/REH Poster Guidelines
• Questions & Answers
THE POSTER
CREATING AN EFFECTIVE POSTER PRESENTATION
WHAT IS A SCIENTIFIC POSTER?
• “A scientific poster is a method of professional
communication that visually tells the comprehensive,
but condensed, story of a research project.”
• The poster presenter engages visitors in dialogue
that:
• explains the research,
• expands the provided information, and
• ensures the visitor leaves with the desired take-away
message about the project.
(ref #4)
WHY GIVE SCIENTIFIC POSTERS?
• To share findings of scientific research.
• To share ideas with colleagues.
• To gain constructive feedback on the research.
(ref #4)
THE BEST POSTER ………
• Has a clear central message.
• Provides a brief summary of the research.
• Initiates discussion about the research.
• Stands alone when presenter is not there to provide an
explanation.
(ref #1 & 2)
RESEARCH POSTER SYMPOSIUM
CORE POSTER ELEMENTS
DEVELOPING YOUR POSTER INFORMATION
CORE POSTER ELEMENTS
• Overview/Background
of the research
• Research Objectives,
Purpose, Questions,
Problems
• Interpretation &
Discussion of
Findings/Data/Results
• Conclusions
• Methodology/Materials
• Future research, if
appropriate
• Findings/Data/Results
• Acknowledgements
These elements become your poster section headings
POSTER EXAMPLE
POSTER EXAMPLE
POSTER EXAMPLE
CORE POSTER ELEMENTS
Seek Guidance from your Mentor as poster
elements may vary based on research and
discipline
CREATIVITY IS KEY!
POSTER LAYOUT & DESIGN
POSTER BASICS
• Program posters will be a uniform 4 ft. wide by 3 ft.
high.
4 ft
3 ft
• It is not necessary to fill all of the space - do not
“clutter” your poster
CREATING LARGE FORMAT POSTERS
USING POWERPOINT
• You will be making just one slide (or page) in
PowerPoint. One really big slide!
• Click on the Design tab at the top and then “Page
Setup.”
• Under "Slides Sized for:" choose "Custom." In the Page
Setup pop-up menu, set the page size to the size
that you want your poster to be.
BASICS OF CREATING A POSTER
• Viewer-friendly style
with large (not small)
typeface & informative
headings
• Logical and orderly
progression of
presentation of
information
• Use pictures, drawing
and graphs to present
the majority of the
information
• Summary statement(s)
of key aspects
• Small chunks of texts vs.
long paragraphs of text
• Easily understood
language without
jargon or undefined
acronyms
ref
#4
POSTER LAYOUTS
VERTICAL
HORIZONTAL
• Sequential information
in columns.
• Sequential information
in rows
CHOOSING A LAYOUT
• Vertical Layout is most common: This layout enables
the poster elements to be viewed in progression
and helps to prevent traffic jams
GENERAL DESIGN GUIDELINES
1. The most important elements of a poster should
be displayed at the viewer’s eye level – near the
top of the poster board.
2. Plan the layout of the elements - when the layout
is finalized, sketch it on a piece of paper to use as
a helpful reminder when creating the poster.
3. Use a minimum font size of 20. If it is too small,
people will move to next poster.
GENERAL DESIGN GUIDELINES
(CONT’D)
4. Use good contrast colors and large font sizes.
• Titles: 80-90 pt for long titles & 100 pt for short titles
• Affiliation line: 65-70 pt
• Text: 20-36 pt
• Font: Use normal fonts in dark colors
• Background: Avoid dark background colors
Avoid fancy fonts as they may not be on the
computer used for printing.
GENERAL DESIGN GUIDELINES
(CONT’D)
5. Set the page size first! Resizing the poster later will
almost always cause problems. This is especially
important in PowerPoint.
6. Try not to PASTE text, images, charts, tables, etc.
These items should be inserted or manually typed
for the best resolution when printing.
GENERAL DESIGN GUIDELINES
(CONT’D)
7. Use bullets and/or boldface to emphasize
important information.
8. Define important technical terms used throughout
a poster. A small section set aside for definitions
may be helpful to visitors.
CHECK FOR SPELLING AND GRAMMAR MISTAKES!
LOOK THE PART
GIVING AN EFFECTIVE POSTER PRESENTATION
PRESENTING YOUR POSTER…..
• Look attractive (well manicured, clean-cut, nicely
dressed).
• Wear a name tag, if possible, so that the audience
knows that the poster belongs to you.
• Do not chew gum, toothpicks, etc.
• Keep your hands out of your pockets.
PRESENTING YOUR POSTER…..
• Try not to refer to notes when explaining your poster.
• Speak to your viewers and not the poster.
• Avoid vagueness such as “this figure shows our main
result”.
• If more viewers arrive halfway into your presentation,
finish your discussion for the earlier visitors first.
• Stand beside your poster during the entire scheduled
session - don’t block the view of your work.
(ref. 1, 2, &3)
PRESENTING YOUR POSTER…..
• Always Smile and have a pleasant disposition.
• Speak with Confidence and Clarity.
• Deliver a strong introduction of your research to
engage your audience.
• Be prepared – However, know that you may not be
able to answer every question.
• You are the Expert and Have Fun!
WHERE DO I BEGIN?
• The trick to a great poster is embracing the Rough
Draft.
• Identify the Central Message - Spend time thinking
about your central message. Construct a sentence of
25 words or less that best describes your what your
poster will focus on.
• For each section of your paper (Results, Methods, Discussion),
ask what is the central message and construct these sections
with that focus in mind.
(ref. 1, 2, &3)
ACTIVITY #1
• Take 2 minutes and write out an introduction for
your project, including the central message.
• Turn to the person next to you and take turns
delivering introduction, smiling, and speaking with
confidence.
REU/REH POSTER GUIDELINES
• Poster SIZE
• 48’’ x 36’’ (4 x 3)
• TITLE (should include the appropriate program
acronym)
REU: The Effects of Vitamin D on Blood Pressure
Amber Joy Price, Maxwell High School
Mentor: Austin Watkins, Ph.D., Department of Health
CONCLUSION
Develop a Central Message for your poster.
Look the Part.
Watch Color Scheme, Font Size, and Font Style.
Deliver your Presentation with Confidence and
Enthusiasm!
• Practice giving your poster presentation with others
in your research group.
•
•
•
•
Seek advice from your faculty mentor!
QUESTIONS?
ACTIVITY #2
• Take out a sheet of paper and design a layout for
your poster (pick appropriate section headings
based on your discipline and research)
REFERENCES
• Retrieved from:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
http://www.asp.org/education/howto_onposters.html
http://sph.washington.edu/practicum/ppposter.asp#top
http://colinpurrington.com/tips/academic/posterdesign
http://cse.ksu.edu/REU/poster-guidelines
http://www.bumc.bu.edu/busm/2013/02/12/learn-aboutthe-medical-student-summer-research-symposium/
6. http://www.cs.duke.edu/news/?article=398