Did I mention you need to get your information across quickly?
Limit the total number of words on your poster to no more than 1000.  
Some will suggest even this number is too high.  If you're presenting a 
research project, consider these as guidelines:

	Title: Limit to 1-2 lines of 72-80 pt. font.
	Abstract: 50-100 words.  The attendees already have your expanded  abstract handy.  This should get at the key points only.
	Introduction: 200 words.  Do not provide a full literature review. Instead,  give a picture of the main issue (why should we care?), previous work  directly relevant to your project, and what your project was specifically  designed to address.  This should be followed by a bulleted listing of  your hypotheses or specific research  question.
	Methods:  200 words.  Don't count on providing the nuances and    details that you would in your complete paper-- Remember that you'll    be there to explain yourself.  Instead, be sure to include the key  elements and consider presenting these as bullets rather than in   paragraph form.
	Results: 200 words.  Similar to the Methods section, stick to the main  issues.  Of course, note how your hypotheses fared in the final   analyses.  Again, use bullets.  Use graphs or figures to represent your  main findings/what you want people to actually see and remember.
	Discussion:  You guessed it-- 200 words.  Address your key questions  and hypotheses again and state in words what your results showed.   Remember, most people will read this section BEFORE they read your  Methods or Results.
	Conclusions: 100-200 words.  Explicitly spell out what one should draw  from your research, what it suggests about future directions, etc.   What's the take-home message?  Why should anyone care?
	Citations: Cite any literature noted in your poster, using the style  appropriate to your discipline.

Did I mention making it visually appealing?  No?  Well, do that.
As with neatness, you'll want to take advantage of the fact that this is a 
visual display.  Make it interesting!  Use appropriate pictures, graphs, 
illustrative graphics.  Use colors to help highlight important points or to 
guide the reader.  However, always keep clarity in mind.  Just because 
your computer can print that color combination doesn't mean you have to 
use it!  Some visual tips:

	Use colors that draw attention, but avoid irritating color combinations  that vibrate, such as some complementary color combinations.
	Use fonts that are easy to read (e.g., Times New Roman) in sizes that  can be read from 4-feet away.  See size guidelines below.
	Use graphs.  However, make sure the labels are clear to someone  unfamiliar with the project (e.g., use explanatory labels, not what Excel  stuck in there for you) and remember the font-size guidelines.  Also,  avoid 3-D graphs if you have 2-D data-- the latter is easier to read.    And pay attention to the color issue.
	Pictures.  Use them if appropriate.  Be aware that posters are BIG.   Accordingly, you're often blowing up pictures 400% or more.  If your   picture resolution is low, it will look pixilated. See how it looks blown up  beyond the size you'll print it.  Avoid 'bitmap' format-- use .gif or .jpg  instead.
	If using the cut and paste method of poster construction, use a mat   knife and t-square to keep your lines straight.  Use mats or poster  boards  that help offset the main pages.
	If gluing anything, use a spray glue (e.g., photo mount spray) to get a  clean, flat mount.  Do this in a well-ventilated area and learn to  appreciate what being human fly paper must feel like.

There are places to go for advice:

	Your advisor!  They'll have opinions on these things.
	URS committee members.
	Walk around campus and view posters hanging in hallways-- You'll see  both good and bad examples of posters.  Each is instructive.
	Web sites: http://www.swarthmore.edu/NatSci/cpurrin1/posteradvice.htm http://www.ncsu.edu/project/posters/IndexStart.html http://courses.washington.edu/~hs590a/modules/19/ppposter.html and many more-- Just Google "scientific poster advice"