A domino is a small tile with an arrangement of dots, or pips, on one side. The other side is blank or identically patterned. Dominoes are often asymmetrical and can be long or short. Dominoes are used to play games of skill and chance, including blocking, scoring, and spotting (where players try to spot matches between their tiles). The game originated in Asia and was brought to Europe in the 17th century. Today dominoes are manufactured in a variety of materials. The most common are ceramic, porcelain, and pressed cardboard.

Dominos are also used in mathematics, physics, engineering, and other fields as visual aids or models for learning about cause-and-effect relationships. A popular children’s toy, dominoes are a fascinating study in how a small change can impact a large system. Some students with learning challenges experience a similar domino effect. Compensating for a disability can delay the development of skills that are necessary for success in class, and over time this can result in cumulative deficits.

Throughout history, the domino theory has been used in politics to justify actions that might appear risky or even illegal. The theory is based on the idea that an event in one country could trigger events in other countries that would lead to a domino effect. For example, the destabilization of the Salvador Allende regime in Chile in the 1970s was justified by the United States government on the basis of the domino theory.

When you start to compose your novel, the question that will be asked is “What happens next?” Considering how to use the domino effect in fiction will help you answer this question with compelling drama. This technique is particularly helpful in plotting scenes that run outside the bounds of societal norms, such as an immoral act by your hero. The key is to provide enough motivation for your reader to forgive the character’s action or at least continue to view him as a hero. In such cases, you can use the domino effect to explain why he acts in an unacceptable way and what will happen if he doesn’t stop his behavior.