Using poster techniques during a talk

In the past, I’ve had good results presenting a some scientific results at a conference as a 4×6′ poster. I talk people through the poster’s figures, which are laid out from left (intro/methods) to right (results/conclusions). I provide a reduced-size handout of the poster, which most visitors to my poster choose to take away. This format seems to work well for communicating what I’ve done.

So, how can I reproduce this successful experience when I am giving a lecture to a larger, seated audience? The entire argument is visible to the poster viewer, who knows where each figure fits in as I discuss it. The lecture viewer, however, must be shown individual figures in sequence. How can I let them scan through my entire arguement and know where we are within it? You’ve recommended providing a handout, such as my reduced-size poster. In addition, what about a second screen to project the talk’s overall organization? How to do so in a way that could be read at the by back of the room – perhaps a flowchart? Alternatively, perhaps the top of each slide would list the section (“Methods”, “Results”, etc) that it falls under, similar to the way a book lists the chapter title at the top of pages. The slides’ section titles would match those in the handout.

Any thoughts on these ideas, or alternatives, would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Kate