What characterizes a 'straw man fallacy'?

A straw man fallacy is characterized by the oversimplification of opposing views. This occurs when someone misrepresents or distorts an opponent's argument to make it easier to attack or refute, rather than addressing the actual argument presented. By exaggerating or simplifying the opposing stance, the person effectively creates a "straw man" that can be easily knocked down, which doesn't accurately reflect the nuances of the original argument. This tactic can mislead audiences, as it shifts focus from the real issues being discussed to a weakened version that is easier to dispute.

The other options do not capture the essence of the straw man fallacy. Complex interpretation of arguments or in-depth character analysis does not inherently involve misrepresentation or simplification of opposing views. Ambiguous reasoning may involve unclear or vague arguments, but it does not specifically refer to the practice of distorting and attacking a misrepresented version of someone's argument.