Poster Presentation Tips

Electronic poster (e-poster) presentations are similar to traditional poster presentations, but given on a large computer screen. The ASA uses 42” LCD displays in the landscape position. Each e-poster presenter will be provided with a display screen and laptop for their poster session.

A well-constructed poster is self-explanatory, achieving both coverage and clarity. Your e-poster can consist of multiple slides or just one. Use the tips below as guidelines for formatting and making the most of this presentation. Save your poster to a USB key (thumb) drive and bring it with you the day of your presentation. Also, don’t forget your business cards!

Formatting Tips

  • Less is more. Be clear and concise with poster design and content. Overcrowding a poster makes it difficult to read.
  • Use fonts that are large enough to read at a distance.
  • Include the title and name(s) of the presenter(s) in a larger, bolder font than the rest of the poster.
  • Provide clear labels or headings for each section of your presentation.
  • Remember contrast. Put light-colored fonts on dark backgrounds and dark-colored fonts on light backgrounds so viewers can see your text clearly.
  • Imbed high-quality graphics and videos.
  • Avoid hyperlinks. Instead, incorporate a QR code into your presentation that will direct attendees to a website that contains more information about your poster and research.
  • Sound is not permitted due to the open area in which posters are presented.

For single-slide e-posters:

For multiple-slide e-posters:

Content Tips

Coverage: In addition to title/author and abstract, most successful posters provide brief statements of introduction, method, subjects, procedure, results, and conclusions. Ask yourself the following:

  • Have I provided all the obvious information?
  • Will a casual observer walk away understanding my major findings after a quick perusal of my material?
  • Will a more careful reader learn enough to ask informed questions?
  • What would I need to know if I were viewing this material for the first time?

Clarity: People attending a poster session are free to move about from poster to poster and often must view a poster from a distance, making it difficult to read excessive text and small fonts. With this in mind, we recommend you do the following:

  • Use large fonts and limit text to essential information. Place your major points in the poster and have the nonessential, but interesting, sidelights for informal discussion.
  • Keep content simple and communicate clearly.
  • Consider whether the sequence of information is evident. Indicate the ordering of your material with numbers, letters, or arrows when necessary.
  • “A picture’s worth a thousand words.” Imaginative use of captioned illustrations, photographs, graphs, video (without sound), or other types of visually appealing material are extremely effective at communicating during a poster presentation.
  • Make your final conclusions or summary a concise statement of your most important findings.

Online Resources for Poster Creation and Templates

The following sites may provide other useful templates and tips for preparing your e-poster:

Key Dates

  • March 1, 2018 – April 19, 2018
    Concurrent, Panel, and Speed Submission
  • June 1, 2018
    Early Registration and Housing Opens
  • July 12, 2018
    Speaker Registration Deadline
  • September 6, 2018
    Early Registration Deadline
  • September 7, 2018
    Regular Registration (increased fees apply)
  • September 25, 2018
    Housing Deadline, 5PM Pacific
  • October 18, 2018 – October 20, 2018
    WSDS2018 in Cincinnati, OH