The domino effect—the chain reaction of one small act resulting in a cascade of similar events—is mesmerizing. It can also be applied to how we learn, as well as our behavior and relationships. Whether we’re building a set of dominoes, or a story, the same principle holds true. A tiny nudge can cause the entire line to fall, unleashing all the potential energy that was locked up in each individual piece.
Known by many names—bones, cards, men, or pieces—dominoes are a type of gaming object that is used to play games of chance and skill. They are normally rectangular in shape and are made of rigid material such as wood, bone, or plastic. Most have a standardized pattern on one side with a line to divide it visually into two squares, each bearing a value based on an arrangement of spots called pips. The other sides may be identical or blank. The number of pips on the ends of a domino may vary, as may the total of all pips on each piece (this is referred to as the rank or weight).
The first recorded use of Dominoes was in Italy and France in the early 18th Century. They became a popular fad in Europe and were probably brought to England by French prisoners at the end of that period. By then, they were available in several sizes and shapes with different numbers of pips on each end. Dominoes are still very popular today.
In addition to being a fun family activity, Dominoes are a great way for writers to visualize how scenes work together in their novels. They are a good tool for plotting, especially for authors who write in a linear style. As you read your manuscript, take a moment to lay out each scene like a domino rally and see how the scenes relate to each other. Do they progress logically from one to the next? Do they evoke the emotional beats your character’s development and plot outline require?
A key element of Dominoes’ success is that they capitalize on a fundamental principle of human behavior described in the influential book Influence by Robert Cialdini. Specifically, people are more likely to honor commitments they make—even if they’re only small—to something that is aligned with their self-image. For example, when Jennifer Dukes Lee began making her bed each day she was making a small commitment to a new behavior that fit with her image of herself as a neat and tidy person.
A similar principle applies to student learning, although this is a more subtle one. When a student compensates for a learning challenge it can have a domino-like impact on their overall performance. This is because the skills they develop in order to compensate for their challenges can impact their abilities to master other skills. Over time, these compensatory behaviors can limit their potential for growth and create a vicious cycle of failure. When students begin failing more and more often it is important to understand the importance of breaking out of this cycle by identifying and addressing any underlying issues.