Oral Presentation Guidelines

Carefully review the following general guidelines for your oral presentation. Each abstract presented is allocated 15 minutes.

Undergraduate Student Presentatons
(10 minutes presentation and 5 minutes Q & A)

All Other Presentations
(14 minutes presentation and 1 minute exchange)

Questions and answers will follow each session after all the presentations are completed in that session.

	TIME The scientific oral presentations will be on Friday, April 4, 2008 from 3:00 PM until 5:15 PM.
	PLACE There will be approximately nine concurrent sessions within various meeting rooms in the OMNI Shoreham Hotel.
	SET-UP PowerPoint presentations are the preferred method of presentation. Presentations should be on a CD or removable drive (thumb/jump). It is recommended that presentations be reviewed in the speaker ready room sufficiently prior to the oral presentation session so that software version and compatibility issues can be determined at that time. Any special audiovisual equipment needs must be indicated on the form and confirmed on an individual basis for availability. This is the responsibility of the presenter. Note that including audio or video content in your PowerPoint presentation involves using links to external media files which may not work after the files are moved to the presentation computer. Sometimes these links need to be updated after you move the files due to differences in the way that differently configured computers identify the drive or USB device where the external files are located. Any PowerPoint presentation which includes links to external audio or video files needs to be tested in advanced on the computer used for the presentation.

	TIME The poster presentations will be on Saturday, April 5, 2008 (“Great American Poster Picnic”) from 12:15 PM until 2:00 PM.
	PLACE The Great American Poster Picnic meeting room assignment is (room to be announced) in the OMNI Shoreham Hotel. You will be informed of assigned poster locations at a later time.
	SET-UP Posters must be set-up on Saturday, April 5, 2008 between 10:00 AM and 12:00 NOON. All posters must: 1. Fit in 3-3/4ft. height x 7-3/4ft width. (approx. 1.1m x 2.3m) 2. Be secured with velcro. (PUSH PINS CANNOT BE USED) 3. Possess a clear and concise title with presenter, co-authors, and institutional affiliations. 4. Have correct grammar and spelling . 5. Be neat and attractive in appearance such as color coordination and borders. 6. Include assigned poster number. (top left hand corner)
	PRESENTATION You must be present during your poster presentation that begins at 12:15 PM and lasts until 2:00 PM. Please remove your posters immediately at the conclusion of your presentation.

Additional Poster Guidelines

Presentation of Posters

Photocopies of the abstract, an outline of the experimental design, and relevant tables and illustrations should be available during your poster presentation for distribution to interested persons.

It is important that the presenter of the poster make every effort to communicate with all interested visitors. Be prepared to repeat your key findings as many times as necessary, and to present the data in a different order and /or degree of completeness to each listener. The optimal approach is to minimize the number of details presented on the poster itself and to communicate specific data orally during discussions with visitors. (A one-page double-sided handout with contact information is very helpful.)

As with any oral presentation, clarity of expression is essential. Technical jargon, highly specialized vocabulary, and unfamiliar abbreviations should be avoided. Direct eye contact with your audience will also assist your listeners.

Preparation of Tables and Illustrations

Professionally drawn tables and illustrations will greatly increase the effectiveness of poster presentations. Lettering which has been enlarged through photo-reproduction or computer typesetting is the best medium for text in posters. Typewritten material, even if produced by a bulletin typewriter, is difficult to read and should not be used.

Tables and illustrations should be kept relatively simple to maximize legibility. They should be numbered and arranged in the sequence in which they will be viewed.

Lines in illustrations should be heavy. Symbols, letters, and numbers should be large enough to be seen from a distance of 6 feet.

A backing of colored paper for each item in the poster is an inexpensive and useful way of enhancing the legibility of the data. Contrast between lettering and background is very important.

Material to be displayed should be placed on regular weight paper or lightweight cardboard for easy attachment to the poster board with Velcro.

Poster Boards

The poster board assigned to each presenter has a usable area of 3-3/4 feet in height and 7-3/4 feet in width (approx. 1.1 meters X 2.3 meters). In planning the utilization of space on your poster board, you are advised to use the space at eye level. The top section of the poster board will be at eye level for the great majority of viewers and is therefore the best location for text. Properly drawn charts and diagrams will still be easy to read in the middle of the poster board. Do not use the space at the very bottom of the poster board. Each presentation should contain a top panel, listing the title of the abstract, and the names of the authors. Illustrative material should be in logical order.

Symposium Abstract Writing Guidelines

Abstract submissions for the 11^th Biennial Symposium on Minorities, the Medically Underserved & Cancer must include the author's biographical sketch, goals and objectives. Guidelines for each of these components as well as general abstract writing guidelines follow:

	Biographical Sketch   Describe your professional experience or areas of expertise including publications and informal education related to your involvement in continuing education activity. download sample biographical sketch (PDF file)
	Goals Goals are statements that describe how this activity will enrich one's contributions to quality health care and pursuit of professional career goals. Key words to use include acquire, assist, enhance, establish, examine, facilitate, help, investigate, and maintain.
	Objectives List the learning objectives in behavioral/measurable outcomes for evaluation. Classic verbs to use include: acquire, assess, classify, construct, define, demonstrate, describe, distinguish, estimate, evaluate, identify, interpret, name, measure, and predict.
	Abstract Text Word Limit Please limit the text of your abstract to 250-275 words. Attempting to submit an abstract that exceeds this limit may prevent you from completing the submission process.
	General Symposium Abstract Writing Guidelines download general abstract writing guidelines (PDF file)

Symposium Office

For more information about the 11^th Biennial Symposium on Minorities, the Medically Underserved & Cancer, contact:

11^th Biennial Symposium
Baylor College of Medicine
1709 Dryden, Suite 1025
Houston, TX 77030
  
Tel: 713.798.5383 or toll-free 1.877.BIENNIAL (1.877.243.6642)
Fax: 713.798.6222 

E-mail: icc-symposium@bcm.edu