What type of fallacy manipulates the argument by misrepresenting an opponent's stance?

The type of fallacy that manipulates the argument by misrepresenting an opponent's stance is known as attacking a straw man. This fallacy occurs when someone distorts or oversimplifies another person's argument to make it easier to attack or refute. Instead of engaging with the actual point being made, the person sets up a "straw man" version of the argument—one that is easier to knock down.

For example, if one person argues that we should have more funding for education, and the opponent responds by saying, "My opponent believes we should throw money at schools without any accountability," they have created a straw man. This misrepresentation avoids addressing the actual argument concerning the need for increased educational funding and instead focuses on a distorted version that can be easily criticized.

This technique is particularly common in debates and discussions where one party seeks to undermine another's legitimacy by portraying their views inaccurately, making it essential to recognize this fallacy to engage in constructive dialogue.