Creating A Poster Presentation

Steven PetrovicCH 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. 37-39.

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”

http://portal.acs.org/portal/PublicWebSite/meetings/spring2013/speakerinstructions/

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

Short summary of problem and results in poster

IntroductionOverall significance of problem addressedPart of overall problem addressed by posterBrief description of previous workGoals of work addressed by poster

Experimental workBrief description of experimental

variables/designCan 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

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

Southern Oregon Arts and Research Format http://www.sou.edu/soar/poster-presentation.html

Title panel across top University logo (jpg format)

http://news.sou.edu/freshstart/download

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 154 - 158.