Creating A Poster Presentation
Steven Petrovic
CH 498
Winter 2010
Oral Presentations

Content is organized similiarly to
peer-reviewed manuscript


Chem. Eng. News, 2010, 88(4), pp. 37-39.

Title, Abstract, Introduction,
Experimental, Results/Discussion,
Conclusion, Acknowledgements,
References
Differs from peer-reviewed
manuscript
 Not simple paraphrase but
select high-impact aspects
 Draw conclusions for each
segment
Captive audience
 20 – 40 minutes
 Audience shares interest
 Q & A at end
Poster Presentations

Content is organized similiarly to
oral presentation


Chem. Eng. News, 2010, 88(45), p 52.

Title, Abstract, Introduction,
Experimental, Results/Discussion,
Conclusion, Acknowledgements,
References
Differs from oral presentation
 Audience browses over 2 – 4
hour session
 One-on-one exchange of
ideas
 Poster sessions broader than
technical session
 Compete for share of
audience
Highlight only essential
information
Poster Considerations



Outdoor Market of Information

Competing with other posters for attention

Visually Compelling
Simple and Concise

Highlight only essential information

Guide reader through layout
Abide by Meeting Requirements

Poster Size


Call for Papers
ACS Website

http://acscinf.org/docs/publications/posters.htm
Sample Poster Format #1
http://gradcollege.okstate.edu/events/ressymp/poster_tips/postertips.html
Poster Design

Nothing handdrawn or handwritten


Powerpoint is typical
Font Type/Size

Uncomplicated Font Type

Arial, Times New Roman, etc.





Serif fonts easier to process
Sans serif fonts look neater in figures
Be consistent with font use
High contrast between text and background
Font Size



Should be readable from several feet away
Title: At least 1 inch high
Text: No less than 24 point font (18 pt for
captions)
Poster Design

Panels of information

Abstract


Introduction





Short summary of problem and results in poster
Overall significance of problem addressed
Part of overall problem addressed by poster
Brief description of previous work
Goals of work addressed by poster
Experimental work


Brief description
Can use flowchart for protocols
Poster Design

Panels of information

Results





Experimental work



Brief description
Can use flowchart for protocols
Conclusion


Preferably as figures in panels
Separate panels as captions
Pay attention to font type/size
White space!
Bulleted points
Acknowledgements & References
Poster Design

Use Color




Attract Attention
Highlight flow of information
Make graphics readable
Contrasting colors

Similar color schemes hard to follow

Refrain from decorative uses of color

Colored background/foreground: Ink!!!

Play with black on white

Sparing use of color if cost issue
Sample Poster Format #2
http://gradcollege.okstate.edu/events/ressymp/poster_tips/postertips.html
CPME Poster Layout


Start with blank slide in Powerpoint

No more than 40” high (printer limitation)

Landscape orientation typical
Title panel across top

University logo (jpg format)



http://news.sou.edu/freshstart/download
Arrange smaller panels on blank slide

Order of information flow

Maintain some white space
Consult with mentor (layout and printing)
Sources


Davis, H.B.; Tyson, J.F.; Pechenik, J.A. Giving
Oral and Poster Presentations. A Short Guide
to Writing About Chemistry; Longman: Boston,
MA, 2010; pp 216 – 223.
Valiela, I. Doing Science: Design, Analysis, and
Communication of Scientific Research; Oxford
University Press: New York, 2001; pp 154 158.