Peer editing science posters (J. Cline 2009)

THE KEY TO WRITING WELL:  REVISING AND EDITING 
Contributor: J. Cline, The Writing Program, Writing and Speaking about Science
Posted: 2009

Helping to Avoid Poster Fatigue


These questions will help you critique your classmate’s poster, as well as your own.

1.    Refer to the handout on “Common Moves in Scientific Discourse” 

  • Does the poster handle the conventions of science writing with expertise?  
  • Can you justify digressions you might find? 
  • Is anything missing that casts doubt on the content?

2.    Is the title engaging, informative, and appropriate for the target audience?

3.    Is the sequence clear, so you know what to look at when?

4.    Does the layout emphasize important information and avoid visual distraction?  

5.    Does it “take advantage of the real estate,” so the largest words deliver meaning and not direction?

6.    Do the graphics speak for themselves, with titles and captions that work?

7.    Has the writer handled grammar with proficiency?

8.    So the author can confirm that his or her poster is effective, write the down the message you took away from it:

9.    What is your favorite part of the poster?  Why?

10.  What would you do to make the poster stronger?  Why?