Now tempered by experience, the contestants are challenged by a panel of judges, including educators, linguists and T-V hosts. They go all out to one-up each other, and outwit the jury. But the challenge, first and foremost, lies in winning people's hearts.

And there is more than one way to do it. You can be combative, nailing down your point and driving it home. Or, you can define your views slowly and convincingly, setting up silent traps, for your interrogators to fall into. The key is to be yourself, to let your character shine through.