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Tips for Posters & Presentations
Here are some great tools from the folks out at the University of Montana! Check out their Undergraduate Research Conference site.
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A pdf file showing step-by-step instructions on making a poster using PowerPoint. As usual, to view the file, you'll need Adobe Acrobat on your computer. To install Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer (it's free), click here
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A PowerPoint poster template. (Here you will need to have Microsoft's PowerPoint to access the template.) This template is geared primarily toward posters dealing with experimental science projects, but it's a good place to start regardless of your discipline or poster content.
Here are the guidelines on poster presentations for the NCHC conferences:
1. There is no limit on poster size,
however you must bring adequate backing for the poster to rest well on an easel
if necessary. Suggested size is approximately 30 x 40 inches.
2. If you are traveling by plane, you may wish to produce the poster parts
before you come and assemble the poster at the conference. Standard poster
board, adhesives, and markers will be available. [Of course, if you follow
the above guidelines, you'll just have to bring your poster rolled up -- we'll
have some tubes -- and put it up when we get there!]
3. Tentative plans are that your poster will be on display for a 2-hour time
period. You will need to have your poster set up before the start of the
session. Allow yourself plenty of time for the setup so that you can relax and
enjoy the presentation. Your poster should be constructed so that it presents
the desired information in a self-explanatory manner. You are expected to be
present at the end of the session to remove your poster.
4. Your poster represents you, your school, and the NCHC. Take great care to
plan and organize it well. Make sure it communicates the intended information in
an interesting, visual manner. Ask your honors director or research advisor to
proof your work.
5. Keep it simple and brief. A poster is not a place for you to tack up your
entire paper for people to read. Instead, think of a poster as a series of
highly efficient, organized “panels” upon which appear synopses of the relevant
information you want to convey — just enough to get your point across.
6. Organize your poster materials using headings, such as “Introduction,” “The
Research Question,” “The Methodology,” and “Findings.” These headings will help
establish a logical flow to your poster.
7. Use large enough fonts so people will not have to squint to read the
material. For headings, use at least a 48-point
font. For text, use nothing less than 18-point.
8. Make your poster visually appealing. Have fun. Be creative. Incorporate
color. Use photographs, graphs, charts, maps, and the like. Simplify charts and
figures to include only relevant information. Be attentive to the layout and
placement of your materials.
9. Place the title of your work in a prominent position on your poster. Include
your name and your school. You may wish to attach a pad of paper to your poster
for visitors who have questions or would like more information about your
research.
10. Do not plan on using any audio-visual equipment. None will be available, and
if you bring your own, it will not be secure.