On many past occasions, IPrA handled a topical distinction between lectures and posters, where lectures (outside of organized panels) were reserved for presentations related to the special theme. Because too many participants experience difficulties getting support for poster presentations, poster sessions will now be organized only for participants who explicitly want to give a poster.

Past experience with poster sessions has been very good: they provide more opportunities for feedback and personal contacts. We would, therefore, like to encourage considering this option when you submit your abstract.

While research presented in lectures is expected to have been completed or at least to be in full progress, poster presentations also lend themselves to expositions of a clear research design, thus providing opportunities for discussion in the early stages of a project. 

The maximum space available for posters at International Pragmatics Conferences is usually 1 m wide by 1.5 m high.

Here is a sample, by Dorien Van de Mieroop, of what you can do with posters. The emphasis is here on the visual potential of this form of conference communication.

This second sample, by Maria Tarantino, is less visually oriented and contains more text. A choice between the two types depends largely on the topic, though personal preference is important too.