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Message: [QUOTE="husky8273, post: 3251125, member: 639"] A [B]straw man[/B] is a form of [B]argument[/B] and an informal fallacy based on giving the impression of refuting an opponent's [B]argument[/B], while actually refuting an [B]argument[/B] that was not presented by that opponent. One who engages in this fallacy is said to be "attacking a [B]straw man[/B]". The main way to counter a [B]straw man[/B] is to point out its use, and to then ask your opponent to prove that your original stance and their distorted stance are identical, though in some situations you might also choose to either ignore your opponent's [B]strawman[/B], or to simply accept it and continue the discussion. [SIZE=6][B]Types of strawman arguments[/B][/SIZE] There are countless ways to distort an opposing view when using a strawman. Common ways to do so include: [LIST] [*]Oversimplifying, generalizing, or exaggerating the opponent’s argument. [*]Focusing on only [URL='https://effectiviology.com/cherry-picking/']a few specific aspects[/URL] of an opponent’s argument. [*]Quoting parts of the opponent’s argument out of context. [*]Arguing against fringe or extreme opinions which are sometimes used in order to support the opponent’s stance, but which the opponent didn’t actually use. [/LIST] [/QUOTE]