Creating A Poster Presentation Steven Petrovic CH 499 Spring 2013

Oral Presentations Content is organized similiarly to peer-reviewed manuscript  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 Chem. Eng. News, 2010, 88(4), pp

Poster Presentations Chem. Eng. News, 2010, 88(45), p 52. Content is organized similiarly to oral presentation  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 e.g. ACS Website search for “poster guidelines”  s/spring2013/speakerinstructions/ s/spring2013/speakerinstructions/

Sample Poster Format #1

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 Short summary of problem and results in poster  Introduction 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 of experimental variables/design Can use flowchart for protocols

Poster Design Panels of information  Results Preferably as figures in panels Pay attention to font type/size White space!  Experimental work Brief description Can use flowchart for protocols  Conclusion 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

CPME Poster Layout Start with blank slide in Powerpoint  No more than 40” high (printer limitation)  Landscape orientation typical Southern Oregon Arts and Research Format  Title panel across top  University logo (jpg format) SOAR Powerpoint Template  Smaller panels arranged on large blank slide  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