Rene Mason, age 13, of Concord, N.H., for her question:

WHEN WAS THE SONNET INTRODUCED?

The sonnet is a popular form of poetry. It is made up of just 14 lines. The form was developed in Italy during the 13th Century. A writer by the name of Guittone of Arezzo is generally given credit for having established the laws of the sonnet.

In addition to the 14 lines, a sonnet is rhymed and arranged according to some definite rules. Each line usually has 10 syllables although sonnets of eight syllable lines have been written.

In the proper form, the sonnet is divided into two parts. The octave is made up of the first eight lines. The sestet is the last six lines.

The sonnet usually expresses just a single sentiment or idea.

In the octave, the first, fourth, fifth and eighth lines rhyme, as do the second, third, sixth and seventh lines.

The rhyming of the sestet may vary but most of the time the writer uses alternating rhymes.