Poster Presentations

Guidelines for Preparing Poster Presentations: This is an example of the directions that are given for the development of a poster.

Display Space: The maximum size of the poster will be 1.4 m x 1 m and  it will be displayed  tacked to the wall.

Heading:  A full title and name should be given at the top of your display. The font size for these should be legible from 3-6 feet (1-2 meters).

Legibility And Visual Impact: Viewers will usually stand 3-6 feet (1-2 meters) from your display. Text, captions and figure legends should be at least 18 point, but 24 point is better. Graphs and tabular data should be at least 24 point. Use a font that is easy to read, such as Arial. Very selective highlighting of your major points in high contrasting colors or bold print can improve your presentation. Some of our members are "colorblind" and have difficulty distinguishing reds and greens. Avoid color palettes and text that only vary in these hues, such as light or dark green, brown, and red.

Simplicity: To encourage viewers to read your display, make your poster easy for the viewer to understand. Posters are usually divided into sections, such as:

1)  title

2) objectives / introduction

3) methods

4) results and conclusions.  

Avoid excessive detail in the text or complex graphs and tables with excessive numbers. An effective display is a series of brief statements and supporting illustrations that tell a story. The flow of your story should be clearly indicated with distinct columns, letters, numbers, or arrows. Remember, posters are not manuscripts. Limit text to the essentials. Also, the poster  -  photos, figures, and tables should stand alone and be self-explanatory. Viewers must be able to follow and understand your display when you are not present.  Focus on a narrow topic or key points rather than trying to put the entire text of a speech onto a poster.  Begin
by determining what is unique about your concepts, then select important points to support that main idea.

 

Drafting the Text:   Keep in mind that your text must be presented in a typeface that can be read from 3 to 6 feet (1 to 2 meters) away.  Therefore, all text
should be simple and concise.  The poster should not be an outline, but should be brief like an outline.  Omit unnecessary articles (a, an, the, etc.) when possible.
Use easily recognized abbreviations, but use them sparingly; some people may not be familiar with them. Bulleted items are a better way to highlight selected data and significant results than paragraphs of information.  The easier it is for readers to absorb the information, the more likely they will retain it.

 

Visual Appeal: The poster's visual appeal is important.  Use high- quality photos and simplified graphics to explain key ideas.  Use well-chosen figures and tables to save words and to improve the overall appearance. Color can both enhance the message and give useful information (for example, use color to represent a particular concept throughout).  Consider using bar charts or line graphs
instead of tables or tabular materials.

Create a Poster: A tutorial on Designing Posters is provided at http://www.kumc.edu/SAH/OTEd/jradel/Poster_Presentations/PstrStart.html.

 

See an example of a completed poster at http://www.kumc.edu/instruction/nursing/NRSG754/POSTER/postintr.html

 

Oral Presentation Requirements

 

1. You must  use your poster. You must integrate the visual aid into the presentation so that you don’t look as though you are merely meeting a course requirement.
2. You must be within the time limit—four to six minutes.
3. You must capture the attention of your audience in the introduction. In doing this, be sure to find some way to relate the topic to your audience. Show them that it is useful or interesting to people like themselves.
4. You must introduce your topic in the introduction. Be sure that the audience knows exactly what you will be talking about.
5. You should preview your main points in the introduction. That is, be sure to let the audience know what your main points will be. This helps the audience follow your presentation.
6. You must use a clear organization in the body of the presentation.
7. You must use good transitions to indicate the organization of the talk to your audience.
8. You must adapt the information to the level of a general (but interested) audience.
9. You must end the presentation clearly. Don’t say things like, "Well, that’s it" or "I’m done now."
10. You must use outline notes. You are not allowed to script your presentation. Try to avoid using too many notes—a few 3 X 5 cards should be enough.

 

Assignment Guidelines and Requirements
Point Value:

1.      Presentation = 40pts.

2.      Poster = 40 pts.

3.      Self Analysis = 10pts.

4.      Final Outline = 10pts.

 

SELF EVALUATION

Each student will be video taped. Watch only your speech. Jot down notes as you view your talk, so that when you prepare your evaluation you can be
specific and detailed in your analysis. Use the speaker self-analysis evaluation from. Address each item for full credit. The analysis is due at the NEXT class meeting. Will not be accepted late.

 

Speaker Self-Analysis 

Name: ___________________________ Speech Title: ________________________

After viewing yourself on videotape, answer the following questions:

1. Did I communicate my message clearly? Could the audience understand what I was trying to explain? How could I have improved my clarity?

2. Was it difficult for the audience to listen to my presentation? Did I hold their attention? Were they excited? Bored? Why or why not? 

3. Did my gestures, facial expressions, and overall nonverbal communication reinforce or detract from my oral message? Why or why not?

4. Was the language I used appropriate for the audience identified in the audience analysis? Why or why not?

5. Did my delivery and manner of presentation complement the message I was trying to share? Why or why not?

6. How did I feel while I was giving this speech? Did I anticipate feeling this way?

7. What kind of feedback did the audience give me? How was their posture? Eye contact? What emotions were they conveying to me? How did I react to the feedback?

8. Was my outline useful in helping me present this speech? Why or why not?

9. Did my visual aids supplement my speech? Why or why not? How comfortable was I with the equipment? 

10. Do I feel I achieved my purpose in speaking? Did I accomplish the objectives that I wrote for my audience analysis? Why or why not?

11. If I were to give this presentation over, how would I change my speech?
Three recommendations for improvement are:
1.

2.

3.

Self-grade:

 

 

Evaluation Form Oral Presentation

 

Speaker ________________ Topic __________________ Time _______
 
 
 

Introduction (20 points) Comments _____ gained audience attention and interest (5 points) _____ introduced topic clearly (5 points) _____ related topic to the audience (5 points) _____ previewed main points (5 points)

Body (45 points) Comments _____ organization well-planned (15 points)             _____ information adapted to general audience (15 points)             _____ information clear, accurate, and comprehensive (15 points)

Conclusion (5 points) Comments _____ conclusion clearly signaled (2 points)     _____ conclusion clearly ended the speech (3 points)

Delivery (30 points) Comments _____ maintained eye contact (6 points) _____ used voice effectively (6 points) _____ gestured effectively (6 points) _____ visual aids used well (6 points) _____visual aids integrated into presentation (6 points)