Establish the significance of your topic (perhaps by indicating how many women die in childbirth every year if your poster focuses on this topic). There should be a central argument or main theme. You want to provide a balanced perspective, but also take a stand based on the evidence. If, for example, you are reviewing evidence on the effects of growing up with a transgendered sibling, you might find data suggesting there are benefits and harms. Describe both, but also come to a conclusion (if possible) about the circumstances under which having a transgendered sibling is most likely to lead to positive psychological and behavioral outcomes and the circumstances under which it is most likely to lead to negative psychological and behavioral outcomes. Having a main theme or argument provides a focus to your paper. It helps you organize your material and tell an interesting story. However, you need to remain balanced – do not overstate the findings. If possible, end with a suggestion for future directions. You might have suggestions about what type of research is needed to settle outstanding issues. Or you might have suggestions about how this material could be used by parents or schools or legislators to enhance psychological well-being.
