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Poster Presentations: Poster Presentation Purpose

What is the purpose of a poster?

Unlike typical writing assignments, posters allow you to present your research projects, writing, or developing work in a more visual way. 

Posters help to visually communicate a message and to engage your audience.  They are often presented at academic and professional conferences but may also form part of your assessed work at university.

Practical considerations

As with other assignments, it is important to understand the assessment criteria for your poster presentation.  Make sure you are clear what you are being asked to accomplish.  If you are unsure, contact your tutor/lecturer for clarification.

Typical issues that you might need to check in advance include:

  • Number of words required.
  • Number of sources to cite.
  • Referencing style requirements.
  • How to set out your ideas.

Further Reading