1. Posters Professor N. Sartorius, MD, PhD, Geneva

2. Purposes of a poster To give a message - usually one, but not more than three To convey information in a manner that makes it easy for the reader to get it.

3. Usual subjects Report of a simple study or independent part of a larger study A message - humanitarian, political or other Description of a programme or department

4. Unsuitable subjects Full reports of studies Discursive texts Materials that do not gain by a visual presentation. Materials that have not yet ripened in the authors’ mind and carry no message.

5. Characteristics of posters Posters are a visual tool. Posters draw attention to other matters - the author, a study, a department, an ideological position. Posters of good quality attract readers and make it possible for them to get the message quickly, in a minute or two at most.

6. Poster’s maximum lengths Introduction 3 lines Goal 2 lines Method 6 lines Results 12 lines Discussion 5 lines Conclusions 3 lines References 4 lines

7. Assets of posters A well known name, a logo, a familiar figure A striking photo or other picture Use of few harmonious, non-aggressive colours Decent print size easy to read from a distance of 2 meters

8. Essential accompaniments Tools ( scissors, tape, whitener, tacks, ) Copies of poster in A4 format with the authors ‘ address, phones, email, Notebook and pencil and sometimes a foldable chair