Understanding the Assignment Type

The assignment asks students to work in pairs to brainstorm ideas and then develop them into a written piece. Crucially, they need to present arguments both 'in favour' and 'against' the topic: "Students do not need to have printed books any more." This structure requires exploring multiple viewpoints on a given subject.

Analyzing Writing Styles

Let's look at the different types of writing mentioned in the options to see which one fits the assignment best:

• Personal Writing: This focuses on the writer's own feelings, experiences, and thoughts. The assignment doesn't primarily ask for personal opinions or experiences but for balanced arguments.
• Expository Writing: This type aims to explain, inform, or describe a topic clearly. While the assignment involves developing ideas, its main goal isn't just explanation but exploring different sides of an issue.
• Discursive Writing: This style involves discussing various points of view on a topic. It often presents arguments for and against, weighing evidence, and sometimes leading to a reasoned conclusion. It encourages exploration of different perspectives.
• Descriptive Writing: This type focuses on creating a vivid picture using sensory details – what something looks, sounds, smells, tastes, or feels like. This isn't the main focus of the assignment, which is about debating a topic.

Matching Assignment to Writing Type

The assignment's requirement to develop a write-up with "two arguments in favour and two against" the topic directly aligns with the definition of discursive writing. This writing type is designed to explore different sides of an issue, encouraging critical thinking and the presentation of balanced viewpoints. The brainstorming and development phases are steps towards building a cohesive discursive piece.

Therefore, the described activity is best classified as discursive writing because it requires students to explore and present arguments from multiple perspectives on a specific topic.