1. Giving an Effective Poster Presentation
REU Summer Seminar Series
July 7, 2008

2. Giving an Effective Poster Presentation
Facts - Hints
Elements of a Poster
Organization and Layout
Aesthetic Issues
Final Points

3. Facts - Hints
You only get about 11 seconds to get the interest of a reader!

4. 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

5. Elements of a Poster Title Abstract Introduction
Experimental Procedure
Data/Results
Conclusions
Acknowledgments
References

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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.

13. 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

14. Organization and Layout
What does a poster look like?

15. Organization and layout
A general guide to poster layout:
Conclusion
Acknowledgments
References

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. Resources http://www.hbv2003.slu.edu/poster_links.html