Answer:
C. Show that the writer didn't understand the counterclaim
Step-by-step explanation:
A straw man argument is a fallicious argument that distorts an opposing stance to make it easier to attack. It gives a distorted version of the initial argument to something that may not even be related. Since you would need to include different stances in an argumentative research paper, you need to understand both sides of the argument. If you try to use a stray man it would show that you don't understand what the arguing point really is, because you are talking about something else.