Ben Samuelson, age 14, of Baton Rouge, La., for his question:

WHERE WAS THE SONNET DEVELOPED?

Literary experts say the sonnet most likely developed in Italy during the 13th century. A sonnet is a form of poetry with 14 lines. It was Guittone of Arezzo who is thought to have established the laws of the sonnet.

In addition to having 14 lines, a sonnet is rhymed and arranged according to certain fixed rules. Each line usually has 10 syllables although sonnets of eight syllable lines are found. In its proper form the sonnet is divided into two parts: the octave is made up of the first eight lines and the sestet is the last six lines.

A sonnet usually expresses one idea or sentiment.

The rhyming pattern of a sonnet may vary but usually alternate rhymes are used. This, the abba, abba, cd, cd, cd rhyming pattern, is the most usual sonnet form.