Tactic 50 of 99
The Straw Man
They’re not arguing with you. They’re arguing with a scarecrow they built to look like you.
What it is
Someone twists what you said into a weaker, sillier or more extreme version, then attacks that. It’s one of the oldest tricks in arguments. It works because the twisted version is easy to knock down, and you end up defending a position you never held instead of the one you did.
Spot it
“So you’re saying...” followed by something you didn’t say. Your view suddenly sounds extreme. You find yourself defending the twisted version.
Counter it
Don’t defend the scarecrow. Calmly restate your actual point. “That’s not what I said. I said a bit less on takeout. That’s all.” Repeat it if needed. Then ask, “What do you think about that?”