How to identify the Strawman fallacy?

How are arguments misrepresented in media?

The strawman fallacy involves misrepresenting or exaggerating someone’s argument so it becomes easier to attack. Instead of engaging with the real point, the speaker refutes a distorted version of it. Media commentary sometimes uses this technique to create contrast, provoke emotion, or simplify debates.

For example, if someone proposes moderate policy changes and opponents claim they want extreme outcomes, they are attacking a fabricated position. The audience is then misled into judging the person based on a claim they never made.

This fallacy skews public understanding because it replaces nuance with caricature. To recognize it, compare the criticism with the original argument. If the rebuttal seems overly simplified, exaggerated, or unrelated, a strawman is likely at play.