Domino is a game where players build long lines of dominoes and then tip them over. This causes the next domino to fall, and then the one after that, and so on. The result is a cascade of rhythmic motion that can be mesmerizing to watch. It is the same concept behind what many call the “domino effect.” The phrase refers to any sequence of events that starts with a small action and leads to much greater–even catastrophic–consequences.
We can apply this same idea to our writing. Whether you are a plotter who makes detailed outlines of your novel or a “pantser” who writes by the seat of their pants, it’s important to think of every scene as a domino. In other words, each scene must be able to impact the scenes that follow it in the same way that a single domino can affect the entire line of dominoes when tipped.
This is especially true for scenes in the final third of your story. If you don’t make sure that your dominoes connect and lead to each other in a logical way, then you could end up with scenes that feel disconnected and out of place.
To get an idea of how this works, imagine a domino design that you create on a piece of paper. It might be straight or curved lines, a grid that forms pictures when tipped, stacked walls, or even 3D structures like towers and pyramids. You can even draw arrows to show the way that you want your dominoes to fall. Then, when you have your design drawn out, you can start to add a domino for each scene in your story.
For example, if your character has a difficult relationship with her mother and then finds out her boyfriend is cheating on her, the scene may include a confrontation where she tells him to leave her. This can have a profound effect on her mother’s relationship with her and even her own life. This is an example of a domino effect that can change a person’s entire world in just a few short scenes.
A more metaphorical application of the domino concept is the ability to influence behavior and attitudes within an organization. The leader of a company can set the tone for all employees, and the leader’s actions can also impact the behavior of customers. This is the principle that Domino’s Pizza CEO Don Meij embodies in his leadership style, and this is evident in his appearance on an episode of the hit reality television series Undercover Boss.
In the episode, Meij goes undercover at several Domino’s restaurants to see how the staff handle customer complaints. He quickly puts in place new policies that emphasize listening to the needs of their customers, and this helps Domino’s increase customer satisfaction.
In the same vein, we can use the principle of the domino effect when analyzing student learning. Some students with learning differences experience the feeling that they need to compensate for their limitations rather than developing the skills necessary for success. This compensation can have a negative effect and prevent the student from fully learning a subject. However, if the teacher can help the student break through this barrier, it can be like tipping over a line of dominoes. The student can begin to realize his or her own potential.