Student Learning Success: Presentations

Note that requirements can differ depending on the conference or research discipline (e.g. arts, sciences, etc.).

Header

• A catchy title
  • A catchy title can entice someone to stop and spend a few minutes at your poster.
• The author name(s)
• The name of your school (and logo, click here for guidelines)

Introduction

• This section includes your thesis statement, the goals or objectives of your research, your motivations for carrying out the research, and a brief literature review.

An overview of the methods (if applicable)

• This section should discuss the methods used. You may also discuss the rationalization for your method or why it is suitable for this kind of research.

Results/discussion (if applicable)

• This section shows the data you collected and/or provides an analysis of the data.
• Charts, graphs, and pictures can highlight the key aspects of your data or data analysis in a way that is easy to understand.

A strong conclusion

• This section highlights the implications of the research. It can also highlight the importance of the work as a whole. If researchers intend to continue working on the project, they will indicate what direction they might take.

A references section

• Don't forget to cite any sources, including images or graphics you used that were not yours.
• Ensure you know the copyright laws regarding images since your poster will be displayed publicly.

Acknowledgements

• It is important to thank those who contributed to your research, including your professor or supervisor, the institution, and any funding-related sponsors.

A typical academic poster has a three- or four-column layout and is in landscape format, 48" wide x 36" high (121.92 x 91.44 cm).

However, be sure to consult the conference or event requirements to see if there are specific rules for formatting posters.

When creating an academic poster, keep your audience in mind. Will they be other academics, the general public, or a mixture? Can you assume a common understanding of terminology or theory, or will you have to put your ideas into more accessible language?

Tips for writing for a general audience

• Try to explain your research as concisely as possible: Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How?
• Write in an active voice and provide context; give concrete, everyday examples.
• Order your text logically so it flows naturally. Introduce ideas as required, and don't present new ideas late in the text.
• Use short, clear sentences (25 words or less) and avoid complex grammatical structures.
• Minimize the use of jargon, scientific or technical terms, and acronyms: if unavoidable, provide explanations.
• Get feedback on your draft from colleagues, supervisors, and at least one person who is not an expert your field.

Everyone is excited about their research and wants to share EVERYTHING about their topic. The goal of a poster, however, is to catch viewers' attention and engage with the main ideas. Editing down to the most essential information organized in a clear sequence can greatly increase the effectiveness of your poster.

General guidelines

• Edit content to just the main points. 
• Avoid run-on sentences and long paragraphs.
• Use bullet points.
• Use graphics to explain complex information visually.

Aim for good contrast between text and background colours to ensure readability. Also, beware that some contrasting colour combinations are easier to read than others(!).

The use of colour requires balance. Too much colour can overpower your poster, and too little can make it visually bland.

General guidelines

• Use a maximum of two typefaces.
• Choose suitable font sizes for titles, body copy, etc., and use them consistently.
  • Remember, when printed, a typical academic poster is MUCH larger than a laptop screen!
• If you use bold, italics, or underline, use them consistently.
• Check if the conference or event has specific guidelines for formatting posters and follow them.

Illustrations such as graphs, charts, and images can help explain complex information or data while providing visual breaks between text, keeping readers engaged.

Most graphs, charts and images on the Internet or in books are copyrighted, which means you have to follow the same rules as with other copyrighted materials. 

How to give credit for the use of these materials 

• Please add a photo credit line under every image on your poster as part of the caption. For example, 
  • © Corel Draw
  • Photo by John Doe
  • Image courtesy of the Library of Congress
• In the case of Creative Commons licensed materials, please refer to the license. 

  • For example: How To Attribute Creative Commons Photos by Foter, licensed under CC BY SA 3. or Table by Foter / CC BY-SA.

  • Attribution must include

    • Title (or keyword for hyperlink)
    • Author
    • Source
    • License

  • Please avoid attribution like this: Photo: Creative Commons

Also, please avoid using too many images (think 60% text, 40% graphics as a guideline), and be sure to include only images relevant to the poster content (otherwise, they will distract from it).

If you have any questions or need clarification, please get in touch with a Copyright & Institutional Repository Technician. 

Finding Images

Remember to cite any work created by others, including images, even if they are in the public domain. See this guide for information and examples of image citation in three different citation styles.

Below are some suggested websites with searchable images. For each image you use, remember to check for a license stating that the image can be freely used, then cite the image. 

Poster Templates

General Tips for Designing Posters

Designing Research Posters for the Sciences

Designing Research Posters for the Humanities and Social Sciences

Creating a Poster in Microsoft Powerpoint

On Campus

Off Campus