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Geog 433E Geog 421

Borderlands

Poster Assignment Guidelines

As noted on the course outline, students in Geography 421 this term are responsible for designing, constructing, and presenting a formal academic poster. Topics should be chosen and developed in consultation with one of the faculty, and should reflect themes and issues represented in the course. The assignment is valued at 35% of the course total.

The poster assignment is a group assignment and each group will include students from both America and Canada (when the two classes are taught together). We hope this will stimulate cross-border interaction and the blending of international viewpoints and perspectives.

POINTERS FOR POSTERS

A poster session is an ideal medium for an exchange of ideas and discussion with colleagues. The major advantages of the poster session concept are (1) allows for graphic illustration of data, (2) generates feedback from interested observers, and (3) summarizes issues in condensed format.

Three basic criteria for an effective display, aside from academic content, are that it be attractive, well organized, and largely self-explanatory. The appearance, both of the display as a whole and of individual illustrations, is clearly important. A cluttered and disorganized display will detract from the content and will neither attract nor hold interest. It is to your advantage if your display is largely self-explanatory. An observer can view your data and illustrations, and follow through to your interpretations and conclusions with minimal input on your part.

Posters are usually presented on 4’ by 6’ (modern plotters are 36" wide with useable space of no more then 35" and basically as long as your software can produce) display or bulletin boards. (See diagram below). A short statement (maybe one page) summarizing the major issues and conclusions should be available for handout.. Student groups should plan to be present in their booths for a reasonable period of time during the poster session at the conference.

A poster should include the following parts:

I. Introduction/Summary and Title

II. Supporting Materials

• Hypotheses
• Methodology
• Data
• Analysis

III. Conclusions

IV. References

Here are some additional suggestions that may aid in preparing and presenting an effective and successful poster display:

1) Select a few major ideas; do not attempt to overwhelm your audience with data. Use summary-type diagrams and emphasize interpretations, applications, and conclusions. Ideas peripheral to your main theme or topic can be brought out in discussion.

2) Arrange illustrations in sequential order with data leading progressively through interpretations to conclusions. Arrangement of material can be used effectively to provoke thoughtful questions from your audience.

3) The title of your presentation should be obvious in the display, and be repeated on your handout. Individual illustrations or displayed articles should have a brief explanatory caption. Captions and lettering on illustrations should be sufficiently large to be read at a distance of 2 metres. If done properly, your display will be self-explanatory and interesting to your audience even in your absence.

4) You should prepare a two or three minute oral presentation (maybe a version of your handout) which can be made to small groups who might gather at your display. This can be used to present the objective of the study, provide background material, lend additional continuity to the poster sequence, and strengthen conclusions.

5) You might have additional supportive data close by in case some viewer is particularly intrigued by some aspect of your project.

Incorporating these ideas will enhance the effectiveness of your display.  Again remember:

a) Limit your display to a few major points.

b) Arrange your illustrations in a logical sequence

c) Include a brief caption for illustrations to make them self-explanatory

d) Remember the importance of aesthetics and organization.