Using the 'Poster Session' Format in L2 Contexts


Appendix 3: Sample student posters

The posters presented here are divided into three groups: 'Weak', 'Strong', and 'General'.
Though all of these posters presume genuine effort by students, not all are equally successful.
Let us consider what makes posters successfull or unsuccessful by examining some actual posters.
Click on any image for enlargement.


Weak Posters

Discounting quickly assembled and roughly labelled posters not illustrated here, some posters can be ineffective for the following reasons:

1. They are difficult to read from a distance because of the choice of colours, font styles, size, or lightness of print.
Sample Weak Poster
A poster on concentration enhancement.
(from 'How to be a More Successful Student')
Sample Weak Poster
A poster on stress management.
(from 'How to be a More Successful Student')
Sample Weak Poster
A poster on anguish.
(from 'How to be a More Successful Student')

2. They are arranged poorly, making it difficult to use effectively and/or access information.

Sample Weak Poster
A poster on sleep enhancement.
(from 'How to be a More Successful Student')

3. They are too short on content, despite student effort on the overall project. Be sure enough content is actually on the posters.

Sample Weak Poster
A poster on Claude Monet.
(from 'A Person I Admire')
Sample Weak Poster
A poster on cross-gender communication.
(from 'Aspects of Inter-cultural Communication')


Strong Posters

Strong posters are effective as vehicles for information and/or as supporting visuals for an oral presentation.
The following layout features should be considered:

  1. They have a clear, accessible, 'note-card' arrangement of information.
  2. They have identifiable elements for the audience.
  3. They are carefully organized with sufficient white space.
Sample Strong Poster
A poster on Japlish.
(from 'Aspects of Inter-cultural Communication')
Sample Strong Poster
A poster about stress management.
(from 'How to be a More Successful Student')
Sample Strong Poster
A poster on Sakamoto Ryouma.
(from 'A Person I Admire')
Sample Strong Poster
A poster on Maria Callas.
(from 'A Person I Admire')
Sample Strong Poster
A poster on memory improvement.
(from 'How to be a More Successful Student')

Also refer to the 'Definition' section of this paper for more elements 'good' posters should consider.

[ p. 100 ]

General Points


Interactive posters include elements that make them unusual or effective, enhancing audience participation and interest. The posters below are not 'strong' in all respects, but they do have good features which make them interactive.

1. They have use many forms of information such as graphs, photographs, illustrations, diagrams, tables, flow charts, and survey results to communicate.

Sample General Points Poster
A poster on sleep and health.
(from 'How to be a More Successful Student')
Sample General Points Poster
A poster on memory enhancement.
(from 'How to be a More Successful Student')
Sample General Points Poster
A poster on culture.
(from 'Aspects of Inter-cultural Communication')
Sample General Points Poster
A poster on colors and communication.
(from 'Aspects of Inter-cultural Communication')
Sample General Points Poster
A poster on nutrition.
(from 'How to be a More Successful Student')

2. They demonstrate creativity in their construction.

Sample General Points Poster
A poster on memory enhancement.
(from 'How to be a More Successful Student')
Sample General Points Poster
A poster on culture.
(from 'Aspects of Inter-cultural Communication')

3. They include interactive elements or interesting innovations.

Sample General Points Poster
A chair was prepared for an audience member to sit and try a breathing exercise featured on the poster.
(from 'How to be a More Successful Student')
Sample General Points Poster
'Hands-on' element to the poster.
(from 'Aspects of Inter-cultural Communication')
Sample General Points Poster
Audience were asked two questions.
(from 'A Person I Admire')
Sample General Points Poster
Movable parts to manipulate such as this bungee-jumper
(from 'Aspects of Inter-cultural Communication')

Other examples might include:

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Appendix 3 Appendix 4 Appendix 5


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