Poster & Presentation Guidelines

Poster Guidlines

Students: Download a list of informative tips of Poster Do's and Don'ts HERE.

Poster Preparation:

Posters can be no larger than 36" x 48" and will be affixed to a large, 4’ x 8’ poster board using standard push pins (see pictures below for examples). Posters will be numbered according to the list in the program, which will be posted on the SCAS meeting website.

Suggestions for Preparing Posters:

* Your poster, including graphs, legends, introductory and concluding material, will be viewed from a distance of 3 feet or more. To be readable, the smallest lettering should be at least 6 mm high (18 point). Titles should be at least 1" (72 point).

* Your poster should be self-explanatory so that you are free to discuss and answer questions from your colleagues. Keep the presentation as simple as possible, with minimal text. The figures, tables and summary should cover about 50% of the poster area.

* Arrange your poster in columns rather than in rows. It is easier for viewers to scan a poster by moving up and down as they are walking along its length rather than zigzagging back and forth in front of it. The sequence of illustrations should be indicated with numbers at least 2 cm high, preferably in bold print. Remember that illustrations may be viewed from a distance. An introduction should be placed at the upper left, and a conclusion at the lower right, both in large type (20 point minimum).

* Each figure or table should have a heading of one or two lines in large type (8 mm) that provides a brief (one or two lines) descriptive message or conclusion. More detailed information should be provided in a legend in smaller type below the figure. The legend should contain commentary that would ordinarily appear in the body of the manuscript.

* Matte finish photographs and posters are more easily viewed than those with a glossy surface.

* Prepare a draft of the poster and obtain input from colleagues before the meeting to help make a well organized, informative, and effective poster.

Presentation Guidelines

Contributed paper presentations are 15 min long, which includes 2-3 min for Q&A.

Here are three documents SCAS recommends for great tips regarding giving presentations.

Student Presentation Do's and Don'ts

Student Poster Do's and Don'ts

Scientifically Speaking: Tips for Preparing and Delivering Scientific Talks and Using Visual Aids