Creating Posters- Purdue Undergraduate Research Conference

1. Abstract
2. Background
3. Introduction
4. Methods
5. Results
6. Discussion
7. Conclusions
8. References
9. Acknowledgements

• Most students use Microsoft PowerPoint to design posters. Be sure to begin by setting the page size to your final poster size. More sophisticated programs such as Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, or Photoshop are other design options.
• Use large text (your text should be at least 18-24 pt; headings 30-60 pt; title >72pt.)
• Do not use more than 2-3 font styles total
• Use fonts that are easy to read (such as Times New Roman, Garamond, and Arial)
• Avoid jagged edges: left-justify text within text boxes or fully justify blocks of text
• Avoid too much text (no more than 800 words max) and undefined technical jargon (depending upon your potential audience)
• Choose colors carefully and pay attention to contrast. If in doubt, dark print on light background is best. Remember – some colorblind people cannot distinguish between red and green.
• Organize and align your content with columns, sections, headings, and blocks of text
• White space is important to increase visual appeal and readability (this is the “empty” space between sections, columns, headings, blocks of text, and graphics).
• Selectively incorporate charts, graphs, photographs, key quotations from primary sources, maps, and other graphics that support the theme of your poster. It is best to avoid using tables of data.
• Avoid fuzzy images; make sure all graphics are high-resolution (at least 300ppi) and easily visible
• Edit your poster carefully for typographic or grammatical mistakes and image quality before the final print-out (use the print-preview function)
• CITE images and texts
• Get someone to check your poster for typos or other issues before printing

• Check with your own department first to see if undergraduate research posters could be printed at no cost to you
• Print posters from ITaP printers
• 1 printer on the main floor of Hicks Undergraduate Library
• 1 printer on the second floor of WALC
• You can print when the ITaP desk near the printer is staffed. Your job is released to print by the staff member. The cost is $4 per linear foot. Your poster will be printed on a roll 36 or 40 inches wide, and you will be charged based on the length of paper you use. A 36 inch wide poster that is 24 inches tall would use 2 linear feet of paper and cost $8. You must transfer money from your BoilerExpress account to your PaperCut account to pay for wide format printing.
• If you have questions, ask at the help desk nearest to the printer.

What is an abstract?

• Stand alone information about the contents of a report, presentation, or article
• An overview of what is included in the article
• Attention grabbing section to convince others to read your work

There are two types of abstracts:

• Descriptive – summarizes the purpose, scope, and methods used to arrive at the reported findings
• Informative – Includes everything listed above. Additionally includes results, conclusions, and recommendations

Source:
G. Alred, C. Brusaw, and W. Oliu. 2011. Handbook of Technical Writing. 10th edition. New York: St. Martin’s Press.