Designing scientific posters
Total synthesis of MnSalAHRachel A. Jameton
Introduction Methods
Results anddiscussion
References
Conclusions
AcknowledgmentsO
N N
N
N
COOH
O
Mn
H
Figure 1. MnSalAH
A poster is a visual display of your work
• Emphasize only the essence
• Audience should be able to read poster in 2-3 minutes
• Posters should reveal the organization of the work (i.e. the scientific method)
TitleIntroduction
Methods
Results
Conclusions
References Acknowledgements
Analyzing the poster event
Who is your audience?What do they know?What do they need to know?How much time to they have to look at your poster?
Why are you showing this poster?Are you trying to inform your audience?Are you trying to persuade your audience?
What is the occasion?Is it an informal or formal event?What kind of format will be most readable?What is the standard poster format?
Poster layout determines reading order
TitleAuthors
Introduction
Methods
Results Conclusions
References
Acknowledgements
Start here
End here
Choosing the information you want to include: Show your work process through organization
Total synthesis of MnSalAHRachel A. Jameton
Introduction Methods
Results anddiscussion
References
Conclusions
O
N N
N
N
COOH
O
Mn
H
Figure 1. MnSalAH
Choosing the information you want to include:Include figures that illustrate key points
Figure 2. Crystals of MnSalAH suitable for x-ray crystallography were obtained from ethanol infused with ethyl acetate.
Choosing the information you want to include:Include figures that illustrate key points
0
20
40
60
2 4 6 8[MnSalAH] (micromolar)
k obs
(s-1)
pH 7.5
pH 8.1
Figure 3. MnSalAH is not a catalyst by stopped-flow kinetic analysis
Choosing the information you want to include: Enough detail to make your point, not so much that the audience is overwhelmed
Superoxide (O2·-) is formed in the cell by the reaction of
oxygen (O2) with organic free radicals and reduced metal ions
(equations 1 and 2). Organics, such as reduced quinines, flavins, iron-sulfur clusters and cytochromes, are particularly likely to reduce O2 because, as a part of the respiratory chain, they are
frequently exposed to the molecule.
O2 + R· O2·- + R
O2 + Mn+ O2·- + M(n+1)+
Ouch:
Better:
Choosing the information you want to include: Enough detail to make your point, not so much that the audience is overwhelmed
Ouch:
-10-505
10152025
% ty
pe I
I pl
asm
id
A B C DI
II A: SO32-
B: Mn(II)/SO32-
C: + EtOHD: + t-BuOH
Choosing the information you want to include: Enough detail to make your point, not so much that the audience is overwhelmed
Better:
-10-505
10152025
% ty
pe I
I pl
asm
id
A: SO32-
B: Mn(II)/SO32-
C: + EtOHD: + t-BuOH
Use legible typeArial (San Serif) 24 ptArial 18 ptArial 14 pt
Times New Roman (Serif) 24 ptTimes New Roman 18 ptTimes New Roman 14 pt
Garamond 24 ptGaramond 18 ptGaramond 14 pt
Easier to read
Harder to read
Your style can make the poster easy to read
Your style can make the poster easy to read
AVOID LARGE BLOCKS OF CAPITAL LETTERS
Avoid Large Blocks of Capital Letters
Avoid large blocks of capital letters
Your style can make the poster easy to read
Choose a font size large enough to be read from 0.5 m
48 pt36 pt
24 pt18 pt
A poster is a visual display of your work
• Remember your audience• Posters should reveal the organization of the work (i.e. the scientific method)• Use figures to illustrate points• Include only the essential points• Use color and fonts carefully
TitleIntroduction
Methods
Results
Conclusions
References Acknowledgements