How to create a poster session poster in PowerPoint Erinn Huebner, ACL Poster Session coordinator, 2019

Method one: use a pre-made template Click “File” “New” Search for “poster” Pick one!

Make it your own Use their template and add your own personal touches, research, and findings If you look, you’ll see that I’ve added “And the little library,” and changed the numbers and time frame Depending on the kind of data you have to present, one of the other templates may be more appropriate Keep in mind your institution’s color printing capabilities when you’re choosing your template— too much color may incur extra charges or be impossible to print! Template

Print it! Save the poster to a USB drive, and take it to any local printing store: Office Max, Staples, etc. OR Upload the file to their website and have it printed, then pick it up! If your institution has a printer that can accommodate poster sized paper, print it there!

Method two: Make it from scratch-slideshow style Make a standard PowerPoint presentation with all of your research/information, eye-catching graphics, and findings

Print each slide as a full page—in color

Assemble! Unnamed non-copyrighted or trademarked superhero team… Either buy yourself a tri-fold board and assemble it before you go to conference, OR Allow the wonderful Home Office to supply you with the resources you need (tri-fold board, easel for display, etc.) and assemble it when you get to conference! Try using construction paper behind your slides to make them pop with color and draw peoples’ eyes! Leave room for some text Don’t crowd your poster…empty space is pleasing to the eye. Text Text Text Text Text Text Text Text

Method 3: Make it from scratch: poster style After opening a new presentation, click on the “Design” tab Then select “Slide Size,” then “Custom Slide Size”

Choose your size On the drop-down menu, select “Custom” Then select, in inches, how wide and high you would like your poster to be Keep in mind the limitations of your printer if you are printing in-house. When prompted, select “Ensure fit”

View gridlines Now your poster should look like this: a poster! To view gridlines to make it easier to lay out the appropriate graphs, photos, and text boxes, click the “View” tab, then selected the checkbox for “Gridlines”

Add your elements Add text, graphics, photos, and other elements to your poster Use your creative nature, and the help of PowerPoint to design your poster in coordinated colors Keep your text in black on white to increase readability (just don’t make your whole poster all text, or you’ll lose your audience).

Print it! Save the poster to a USB drive, and take it to any local printing store: Office Max, Staples, etc. OR Upload the file to their website and have it printed, then pick it up! If your institution has a printer that can accommodate poster sized paper, print it there!