Lecture 10

Developing a Poster for

Presentation
 ❖Team members should use
the main points developed
in their essays to design a
Focus creative, comprehensive,
statement clear, coherent, cohesive
and logically organized
poster for presentation in
Week 13.
 Poster Presentation

A poster presentation is “an experiential

learning activity that stimulates curiosity and
interest, encourages exploration and
integration of concepts and provides students
with a novel way of demonstrating
understanding” (Handron, as cited in O’Neill &
Jennings, 2012).
 ❖The use of posters is one way in which
multimodal instructional methodology has been
employed in the classroom. Posters focus on the
use of visual aids or graphics/visual evidence.

The use of ❖Poster creation and presentation are linked to the

following concepts in academic circles:
posters in
academic
❖Visual literacy- (Lockhart & Roberge, 2015).

circles ❖Visual texts- ( Shea, Scanlon, Aufses, 2013).

❖Visual rhetoric- (Rottenberg &Winchell,

2015).

❖Infographic- (Palmquist & Wallraff, 2014).

 ❖Poster presentations are
valid forms of transferring
academic knowledge.
Use of
posters in
❖ Poster presentations use
academic interactive delivery.
circles
(cont’d) ❖Poster presentations promote
active learning (Row & Llic,
2009).
 Use of posters in science

❖“In science the content presented in posters “is

important so students need to be very selective
about what they include. It can be hard to get the
right balance between too much text and not
enough to convey the depth of knowledge….”
(O’Boyle, as cited in O’Neill & Jennings, 2012).
 A poster speaks for itself.

It has the scope for the presenter to establish and

maintain close contact and interaction with the
audience.

Perspectives Posters can be used several times and presented at

on posters
different events .

A poster is suited for people who are apprehensive

about speaking in front of large audiences.

Some presenters find it less demanding standing next

to their posters in order to answer just a few questions
than presenting at a lectern. (OWLA, 2018)
 Posters:

are excellent alternative media for developing students’

communication skills;

involve students in the assessment process;

More encourage students to investigate a topic thoroughly;

perspectives
on posters provide opportunities for peer-learning;

give student manifold opportunities to explore and critically

interrogate perspectives.

(Berry & Houston, as cited in O’Neill & Jennings, 2012, para. 2).
 It is difficult to
make It is time
Some modifications to a consuming to

challenges
poster after it has create a poster.
been created.
associated
with
designing It is difficult to
write
It is challenging
to decide on
posters comprehensive what should be
information included in the
concisely. content.
UWI Medical students’ positive
perspectives on collaborative poster
design and presentation

❖ Wealth of knowledge about group dynamics:

❖ negotiating is important for group success
❖ compromising for the team’s functionality
❖ denying self for the team’s greater good
❖ collaborating and working with others for professional
development
❖ tolerating team members’ differences and
idiosyncrasies
❖ utilizing the talents of each team member
❖ learning strategies from each other to keep the team
spirit alive
❖ drawing on the knowledge and support of all group
members
❖ identifying and addressing individual weaknesses
❖ discovering, showcasing and celebrating individual
strengths
❖ reaping the sweet reward of collective determination
(Jones, 2019)
 ❖Finding common/convenient time for group
meetings-differences in timetables-but
networked-What’s App group, Email, texts,
Challenges Facebook messages
UWI medical ❖Deciding on the topic- everyone had a different
science preference on how to compile the poster.
❖To resist taking over the assignment as a one
students man band
experienced ❖Locating relevant and current information from
credible sources
with ❖Difficulties summarizing information from sources
collaborative ❖Lack of full participation from some group
poster design members during the initial stages
❖Limited artistic abilities
and ❖Difficulties accessing materials to construct the
presentation poster
❖Procrastination (Jones, 2015).
Tips for making and presenting
an effective poster
See video on OurVLE.
 ❖When it comes to design,
there are a few basic rules
to follow:
❖ Simple is good
Poster ❖ Make important
Design information stand out
❖ Line things up
❖ Avoid crowding
(Scientific poster layout
and design, 2018)
Wilson

(Wilson, 2006)
Looking at electronic
posters with critical eyes

❖Examine the following samples of posters:

Sample 1
 Acceptable colour scheme

Useful information-including statistics

Cluttered-too many graphics

Comments Quality of graphics is poor -they are not sharp

on Sample
1
no spacing created to separate text boxes

Reference not included

Inconsistent layout-some texts are not aligned to the left

No headings for sections

Sample 2
 Effective layout

Effective graphics

Effective colour scheme

Comments
on Sample Concise information-Bulleted points

2 Headings are used for sections-information organized logically

References included

Graphics positioned at the top right and left corners seem to be

too much
❖The following sample
posters and comments were
cited by University of Texas
at Austin (2018).
Sample 3
 More than one type of visual aid

Logical order for sections

Comments Background may be distracting, or detract from content

on Sample
3 Sections and images are not aligned

Too many visual components clutter poster

References are missing

Sample 4
 Too many large text blocks

Ineffective use of colours

Comments Text confused with background

on Sample
4 Randomly sized and colored boxes

Annoying logos

Hard-to-read title
Sample 5
 Clear introductory material

Use of bullet points

Logical flow

Comments
on Sample Colour-coding in graphics

5 References section is not included

May not be accessible to all audiences (some technical language)

The borders around sections are not necessary(the blue headers are
sufficient)
Looking at non-electronic
posters with critical eyes
 What are your comments?

❖What can you learn from what you have observed?

 ❖Avoid hanging titles (title:
subtitle):
❖Not: Great sorcerers of Middle Earth:
Gandalf and Saruman
Some ❖Rather: Gandalf and Saruman,
things you Middle Earth's great sorcerers
should ❖Do not use capitalization in titles:
avoid ❖Not: Climate Change and Biodiversity
in the Arctic
❖Rather: Climate change and
biodiversity in the Arctic
 ❖Pay keen attention to the following
while you prepare and present your
poster in Week 13:
Points to
consider for ❖Choose one colour for the background.
your
FOUN1014 ❖Choose colours that are gentle on the
eyes
poster
❖The writing should be large enough for
the audience to read it.
 Possible Formats

• The following slides examples of two poster formats:

1) Landscape format – 3 columns

2) Portrait format – 2 columns

N.B. Modify headings to conform to FOUN1014 requirements.

 What a good poster should say:

Look at me!- In order to be read at all, a poster has to attract the observer's
Look attention, just like an advertisement.

Read me!- There should only be as much text as necessary on a poster, what
Read needs to be known but not what would be nice to know.

Ask me!- Ideally, a poster delivers food for thought and sparks a debate.
Ask (OLWA, 2018)
Tips for making a better research poster
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwMFhyH7_5g&feature=e
mb_logo
 One paragraph that provides readers
with a concise overview of the SRP.

Expresses the central idea and key

points in the paper.
The Abstract
Begins with a brief statement of the
problem.

Key Words are identified at the end

of the abstract.
 Sample abstract (one paragraph no more than 150 words)

The numerous applications and other attractive features that are available on smart
telephones cause adolescents to spend long hours on these devices; thus they are referred
to as screenagers. Research has confirmed that excessive use of smart telephones by
screenagers puts them at the risk of developing many issues. The purpose of this poster is
to demonstrate how prolonged use of smart telephones causes disruption of screenagers’
regular sleeping pattern, the circadian rhythm. It also illustrates how disruption of the
circadian rhythm causes exhaustion which has the potential of predisposing screenagers to
cognitive impairment which can affect their academic functions in school, and their ability
to make informed decisions about different aspects of their everyday lives. They also
become susceptible to many cardiac illnesses, which can affect their vital functions. The
poster proposes measures which can be implemented to help screenagers to address a
problem which is assuming international significance.

Key words: Smart telephones, excessive use, screenagers and sleep health
 ❖Include an excellent abstract
(no more than 150 words)
❖ Provide a comprehensive visual
summary of the SRP that
adequately and logically covers
Content the information in the paper
❖Write concise discussion points,
conclusion and references
❖Use appropriate graphics
(diagrams, charts, etc.) from
sources included in the paper
 ❖ Organize your poster according
to the blocks of information
you presented in the SRP:
instead of an introduction,
include an abstract, discussion
with subheadings, conclusion,
Organization (possibly) recommendations,
properly referenced, using APA
style.

❖The abstract should be

comprehensive and well written.
 ❖Poster and speakers should
demonstrate full communicative
competence in SE; precise language
use and effective word choice
appropriate for a diversified
Use of educated audience of their peers;
voice and tone should be
language appropriate to the topic, purpose
and audience. You should use
idiomatic English with virtually no
errors occur re sentence
boundaries, forms of usage and
mechanics.
 ❖Each team should present its poster
in 10 minutes.
❖Each poster should be presented as
a visual aid (not read); all speakers
should be audible, articulate &
confident throughout the
presentation.
Delivery
❖It is very important that you cite the
authors of the three journal articles
which you will compile on the list of
references.

❖Use APA 7th documentation style.

 ❖Poster should demonstrate
outstanding visual grammar
Creativity - outstanding balance of
text, graphics and space;
and graphics are functional and
design attractive (effective colours,
bold headings). Easy on the
eye and easy on the mind
Having looked at the assignment guidelines….

Critique the poster on the next slide

 Presenter’s Role
Presenters should:

1. be professional during the entire presentation

2. communicate clear and accurate knowledge about
the poster.
3. answer the audiences’ questions candidly and
respectfully.

(Davis, 2005)

https://www.google.com
 ❖This is your opportunity to have a
Personal voice. Often in group projects,
some members do not ‘pull their
Evaluation weight’ yet expect to get the same
of Each grade as everyone else in the group.
Team This is to be ‘anonymous’, i.e. for
your Instructor’s eyes only.
Member’s
Contribution
❖Remember to write each team
member’s name on the poster.
 ❖It is imperative that you
carefully design and present a
clear, concise, comprehensive
and creative poster. Your
audience should be able to
read it. All members of your
Final group must participate in the
thought creation and delivery of the
poster. Dress professionally
for the delivery of your
poster. You are required to
use formal and accurate
language.
 References

Academic Posters. Retrieved from https://libguides.tru.ca/academicposters/size

Davis, M. (2005). Scientific papers and presentations (2nd ed.). Burlington, MA: Academic Press.
Jones, C. (2019). Medical Science students’ perceptions of poster design and presentation in a higher
education foundation writing course. In 2019 Research development: Driving social &
economic development (pp.28-31). Kingston: UWI, Mona
Lockhart, T. & Roberge, M. (2015). Informed choices: A guide for teachers of college writing.
Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s.
O’Neill, G. & Jennings, D. (2012). The use of posters for assessment:A guide for staff. Retrieved from
http://www.ucd.ie/t4cms/UCDTLA0039.pdf
OWLA (2018). What should a good poster look like? Retrieved from
http://www.geo.uzh.ch/microsite/olwa/ olwa/en/html/unit5_kap52.html
Palmquist, M. & Wallraff, B. (2014). Joining the conversation: A guide and handbook for writers. New
York: Bedford/St. Martin’s.
 References contd.

Rottenberg, A. T. & Winchell, D. H. (2015.). Elements of argument: A text and reader. Boston:
Bedford/St. Martin’s
Rowe, N. & Llic, D. (2009). What impact do posters have on academic knowledge transfer? A pilot
survey on author attitudes and experiences. BMC Medical Education, 9(71).
doi: 10.1186/1472-6920-9-71
Scientific poster layout and design. (2018). Retrieved from
https://www.makesigns.com/tutorials/poster-design-layout.aspx
Shea, R. H. Scanlon, L., & Aufses, R. D. (2013). The language of composition (2nd ed.). Boston:
Bedford/St. Martin’s.
University of Texas at Austin (2018). Poster samples. Retrieved from
https://ugs.utexas.edu/our/poster/samples
Wilson, C. (2006). Preparing and presenting posters. Retrieved from
https://slideplayer.com/slide/4063597/