Automatic writing is a technique in which the mentalist performer or volunteer writes without conscious thought, allowing the subconscious mind to guide the process. Often employed in mentalism and psychic entertainment, automatic writing is presented as a means to access hidden knowledge, reveal latent thoughts, or even communicate with the spirit world.

Mentalism practitioners claim to enter a trance-like state, bypassing critical consciousness to produce spontaneous, unedited content. The automatic writing method is used in performances to create the illusion of supernatural insight, as the written output often appears cryptic or revelatory. From a scientific perspective, automatic writing is understood as an example of the ideomotor phenomenon, where subconscious thoughts manifest physically through writing. The automatic writing process involves a planchette or freehand writing, with the performer attributing the output to external influences, thus enhancing the mystique of the mentalism act.