In general I am looking for solid argumentation. I have no stomach for resting assumptions on trivial challenges to picky rules that you feel have not been met. Cross examine, back your argumentation on solid evidence (I am a sucker for good source citation) and meld your growing argument not on trickery but a good foundation of ideas and evidence. If you talk fast, be sure to make eye contact with me and the judges (or screen) - I'm not impressed by fast reading. If you can't make it your own in the actual time allotted, then you need to pare it down. I am a tabula rasa and am open to lots of different perspectives. Arguments that are obviously racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, Islamophobic, anti-Semitic, etc. are not OK. (Read: you will lose if you run them.). I'm fine with theory, as long as you have solid evidence to support. I am swayed by emotional appeal - that is to say, if you are PASSIONATE about your argument and you speak to me, I find that compelling. A regurgitation of random thoughts that don't come from you or seem distant to you are not going to get me to give you that edge. I look for logic and emotion.