The Domino Effect in Fiction
Domino is a game of stacking tiles on their sides to make long lines. If a domino is tipped, it triggers the next one to tip, and so on until all the tiles are down. Depending on the layout, a complex design can be achieved. Dominoes are often used for games of skill and strategy, but they can also be arranged to create art. They are popular toys for children, and adults can play games such as poker or dominoes with them too.
The term domino refers to a chain reaction, and it is sometimes used as a metaphor for events that start small and lead to bigger consequences. The word is derived from the Spanish word domicilium, which means “dominant place.”
In fiction, we see the domino effect when characters take action that affects others. The impact of these actions can be dramatic, and the reactions they trigger can help propel a story. Whether you compose your manuscript off the cuff or use a careful outline, plotting a novel ultimately comes down to one question: What happens next?
Some learning challenges impact students like falling dominoes. When a student compensates for a weakness, it can prevent them from developing the skills necessary to succeed in the classroom. This can cause a “domino effect” that can lead to failure and frustration for the student, and ultimately affect their overall performance in school.
For example, a student who compensates for math weaknesses with a favorite subject may not practice their weaker subjects, which can lead to additional gaps in their understanding of the subject. This can then cause them to struggle with other subjects, which then impacts their performance in those areas too. It is important for teachers to recognize the domino effect in their classrooms and help students avoid it by ensuring all subjects are given equal time and attention.
Another example of the domino effect is the way an event can change a business or organization. The company Domino’s, which is best known for its pizza, had to address a number of issues before it started seeing better financial results. For example, the CEO before Doyle took over the company was trying to run the business by edict instead of listening to customers and employees.
The new CEO listened to complaints and implemented changes that allowed the business to grow. This changed the culture of the company and helped to improve customer satisfaction. It also led to the Domino’s putting its recipes online and offering coupons, which helped boost sales. The result of these changes was a significant increase in profits for Domino’s, which shows the power of the domino effect to change an organization.