1. Create a Poster with PACT
WVU Office of Undergraduate Research

2. Truth is ever to be found in simplicity. –Isaac Newton

4. What do you want to happen?1
Purpose
What do you want to happen?

5. ? WHY POSTERS? Start a conversation
Stimulate interest in your research
Receive feedback on your research
Generate contacts for continued research or jobs

6. CONVEY IDEAS! Why does your work matter? What did you do?
What did you find?
What do you recommend? (What’s next?)

7. How will you appeal to experts --and non-experts?2
Audience
How will you appeal to experts
--and non-experts?

8. STEM: Keep It Simple! Provide context
Minimize methods (unless that’s your focus)
Focus on goals and results
Use plain language
Do not overload with content
Graphics over text when possible!

9. HUMANITIES: Keep It Simple!
Provide context
Tell a research story in simple language
What’s at stake? For whom? Why?
Do not overload with content
Graphics over text when possible!

10. UNIVERSAL TITLE drives initial interest
Some will only read: avg. distance 2.5 feet
Of those, some will want to know more by speaking to you.

11. Here is an example of a someone viewing posters
Here is an example of a someone viewing posters. Notice how far away he is! Even from this distance, which poster grabs your attention more?
Image by NVIDIA Corporation, CC-BY-NC-ND 2.0

12. What is expected in this context?3
Conventions
What is expected in this context?

13. SIZE IT UP!
 46 inches high-max
36 inches wide-max
½ inch margins!

14. Key Poster Components TITLE: from abstract AUTHOR(s): from abstract
AUTHOR AFFILIATION: from abstract
POSTER BODY (context, methods, goals, results)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS (Who funded/helped with work?)
Typically, do NOT include the abstract on your poster!

15. BE CONCISE Is your purpose clear?
Are your points easy to follow? (Try headings)
Can we read your text from 4-6 feet away?
Are paragraphs brief? (Aim for 50 words or less)

16. Horizontal & Vertical Symmetry
PLAN A LAYOUT
Vertical Symmetry
Horizontal & Vertical Symmetry
Diagonal Symmetry
Poor Layout: No Symmetry & Text Heavy
One thing that is important about your layout is to make sure that you are not overcrowding your poster.
*Obtained from : Hess, G., Tosney, K., and Liegel, L. Creating Effective Poster Presentations,

17. USE IMAGES
Convey a complex idea with a single image.

18. Dress for Success (Business Casual at minimum)
*photo by Nicole Barker: obtained from

19. What could get in the way?4
Trouble
What could get in the way?

20. TROUBLE SPOTS! Objective(s) and main point(s): hard to find
Text: too small or too much
Graphics: not appropriate or poorly labeled
Organization: no clear visual or verbal cues

21. QUICK CHECK Descriptive title and headings
Large font (32+ pt text; 44 pt. headings; 72 pt. title)
50 word paragraphs; short sentences
Graphics: clear, accurate, & well labeled
Organization: symmetrical layout
Use large font size
Title 72 point (visible 15 ft away)
Author/Byline 48 point
Headings/Subheadings 44 point (visible 6-7 ft away)
Text 32 point (visible 3 ft away)
One easy way to check that your poster will be clear is to print out a copy on ordinary letter sized paper. If the font is too small to read comfortably at book distance, your audience won’t be able to read it either.

22. Truth is ever to be found in simplicity. –Isaac Newton

23. Laura.Brady@mail.wvu.edu & Rachel.Mohr@mail.wvu.edu
THANKS!
&

24. Presentation template by SlidesCarnival
CREDITS
Special thanks to to Michelle Richards Babb, Director of WVU’s Office of Undergraduate Research, for content advice & feedback
Thanks also to the people who made and released this slide template for free:
Presentation template by SlidesCarnival