The term "straw person" is often used in discussions and debates to refer to an argument that has been misrepresented or oversimplified in order to attack it more easily. Other synonyms for this term include "straw man," "straw argument," or "straw dummy." The use of straw person arguments can be harmful in productive discourse, as they do not address the actual point being made and can lead to misunderstandings or misinterpretations. In order to avoid using these types of arguments, it is important to accurately represent and understand the opposing viewpoints and arguments in a discussion.