How to Develop a Poster Part Two Visual versus Written Supporting the Nursing Clinical Practice Fellowship (NCPF) sponsored by the Government of Ontario and the RPNAO

2 Part Two Visual versus Written The next section reviews the Part One Presentation to provide examples for changing content from a written format to a more visual format

3 Lesson One Please examine the next two slides carefully Each slide contain the same content – Version one is presented in a text only format while version two is visual – When viewing the slides remember that a your poster will only be viewed for 5 minutes

4 Determine a Specific Topic/Concept Sample One (Text Only) Determine the goal of the presentation – To draw attention to a specific issue Determine one key topic/concept Determine 4-5 supporting key points to support your main topic/concept – Use research findings – Project data – Scholarly reviews Ensure data is recent (within last 5 years)

5 Determine a Specific Topic/Concept Sample Two (Visual Interpretation) Goal Of Presentation One Key Topic/Concept 4-5 Supporting Key Points- Use research or project data and/or Scholarly reviews (<5years) as support Research, Education or Project

6 Lesson One Review Which poster is more visually appealing? – Most viewers will acknowledge that sample two is more visually appealing The visual diagram was based on conveying three facts – There are three things to convey- a goal, key concepts and supporting facts – The information was then presented in a graphic that demonstrated the connection between these concepts

7 Lesson Two Please review the next two slides When you review sample three, is there another way to present this information to appear more interesting to a viewer?

8 Types of Abstracts Sample Three (text only) Program Base (Educational of Project) Innovation description Outline of objectives Process description/ possible outcomes Value to nursing program and practice Suggestions for implementation Research Based (Study Related) Purpose Conceptual Framework Method Data Analysis Findings Conclusion/implications

9 Types of Abstracts Sample Four (Visual Interpretation) Research Based (Study Related) Purpose Conceptual Framework Method Data Analysis Findings Conclusion/Implications Program Based (Educational of Project) Innovation description Outline of objectives Process description/ possible outcomes Value to nursing program and practice Suggestions for implementation

10 Lesson Two Review When it is difficult to change the text format, the use of text boxes can make the content more visual Using different colours can help to demonstrate the differences you trying to communicate

11 Lesson Three Please review the next two slides When you review sample five, is there another way to present this information to appear more interesting to a viewer?

12 Judging Criteria Sample Five (text only) Judging Criteria may be provided in an information package when you receive conference confirmation. Use the abstract outline or judging criteria (if available) as a planning guide Review the criteria to include the required elements: Content- related to conference (may be categorized- educational or research) Format- provides specific size of the poster Presentation- time allotted for presentation, location, where and when to set-up

13 Judging Criteria Sample Six (Visual Interpretation) Use the abstract outline or judging criteria (if available) as a planning guide, for conferences that judge posters. Review the criteria to include the required elements: Content Format Presentation Poster

14 Lesson Three Review The same content is presented in both slides but using the visual allows the viewer to understand the concept is related to judging Main points were then condensed to one key bulleted word to supports the concepts

15 Lesson Four Please review the next two slides When you review sample seven, is there another way to present this information to appear more interesting to a viewer?

16 Guide for Use of Space Sample Seven (text only) Poster are visual Use the Rule as a guide: 20% text, do not use full sentences, use bulleted 40% of the poster should be designated for graphics, pictures or diagrams (Graphics: Text =2:1 ratio) 40% of the poster should be white space- if the poster is too full, it is difficult to follow Poster size will determine the amount of content to include Remember viewers will only spend 3-5 minutes at a poster

17 Guide for Use of Space Sample Eight (Visual Interpretation) 20% Text Bulleted Information Rather than full text 1:2 ratio 40% White Space Average viewer time: 3-5 minutes Poster size will determine the amount of content 40% Graphics Posters are visual: Use pictures, diagrams or graphs The Rule (Microsoft PowerPoint)

18 Lesson Four Review The use of graphics also reduces the amount of text Useful tools that support your presentation such as PowerPoint Diagram/Organizational Charts can be helpful as demonstrated in this lesson

19 Lesson Five Please review the next two slides When you review sample nine, is there another way to present this information to appear more interesting to a viewer?

20 Content Sample Nine (text only) Essential information is embodied in the poster Verbal explanations provide details, do not read the contents of poster during the presentation Tips to guide your content: – Start with the topic/content abstract and use as a guideline – Correlate heading to research or program based framework – Do not assume the viewer is an expert – Ensure it is easy to read – Ensure it is easy to understand – Start with a strong opening – Use 4-5 points to support your topic/concept – End with a specific conclusion that applies to and/or benefits others

21 Content Sample Ten (Visual Interpretation) Topic/Concept see abstract outline Correlate headings to research or program based framework Easy to Read Easy to Understand Explicit Conclusion applies to,benefits others Evidence of support 4-5 points Strong Opening Main focus Do not assume viewer expertise Essential information is embodied in poster

22 Lesson Five Review If you have a number of points that relate to a specific topic the spoke and wheel graphic can provide a more visual representation of your content

23 Lesson Six Please review the next two slides When you review sample eleven, is there another way to present this information to appear more interesting to a viewer?

24 Guidelines to Follow Sample Eleven (text only) Posters are visual, show what was done rather than describing in text what was done Posters are viewed in 3-5 minutes and should be visual from at least 3 feet away When using graphics, use heavier lines to accentuate the graph details

25 Guidelines to Follow Sample Twelve (Visual Interpretation) Poster presentations are visual -show what was done Able to view 3 feet away Use Heavier lines for ease in viewing

26 Lesson Six Review In this lesson a visual example of how the line should be darker are demonstrated on a graph allowing the viewer to visualize your key point The supporting text is then reduced but adds additional key points

27 Lesson Seven Please review the next two slides When you review sample thirteen, is there another way to present this information to appear more interesting to a viewer?

28 Format Sample Thirteen (text only) Format the layout of the slide Viewers usually read from left to right Start at upper left corner and create columns moving from left to right Use page numbers to assist with flow To accentuate points use “bold” or a colour Do not change font or use italics, this is distracting to the viewer

29 Format Sample Fourteen (Visual Interpretation) Background Formulation of topic/concept Description of events leading up to topic 2 Title Slide Name Institution 1 Purpose Aim statement 3 Bold and colour font are used to accentuate points 5 Do not change font type and avoid Italics 6 Lay out of poster in a sequential order that is easy to follow 7 Number pages to assist the viewer’s with the flow of the poster 8 Conclusion Significance of project Implications for practice 4

30 Lesson Seven Review In this section the visual depiction demonstrates: – The direction the content should be read – The order that the content should be displayed – Basic headers that support your work

31 Conclusion Posters are only viewed on average five minutes Posters are a visual representation of your work

32 References Berg, J. (2005). Creating a Professional Poster Presentation: Focus on Nurse Practitioners, Journal of American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 17(7), Hess, G., Liegel, L., Tosney, K. (2004). Creating Effective Poster Presentations. Retrieved January 15, 2006 from North Carolina State University/Oregon State University/University of Michigan. Web Site: Keely, B. (2004). Planning and Crating Effective Scientific Posters, The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing. Retrieved January 15, 2006 from Miracle, V.(1999). Poster Presentations with style, Nursing Management, 30(9): 15, September Mittrany, D. (2005). Creating Effective Poster Presentations: The Editor’s Role, Science Editor,28(4), Tougas, J. (2005). Effective Poster Presentations. Retrieved January 15, 2006, from Dalhousie University, Faculty of Computer Science Web site: Creating a Poster Presentation (n.d.). Retrieved January 15, 2006 from Health Sciences Centre, Nursing Research Committee. Web site: How to Present a Poster Session. (n.d.) Retrieved January 15, 2006 from Queen’s University. Web site: