Word of Mind by Terri Rogers
A spectator is handed a theatrical review sheet and is asked to choose one of the hundreds of words that make up the various articles. There is no restriction of choice and the word is not written down. It is merely thought of by the spectator.
When the spectator is ready the mentalist begins to concentrate and slowly, letter by letter, reveals the mentally chosen word. It is that direct. A spectator things of a word and you reveal it. The spectator can choose a different word and you can repeat the effect right away.
Simple to learn, simple to perform, devastating in effect. What more could you ask?
[Note: This effect uses interlocking anagrams to determine the chosen word. The crib sheet is cleverly built into the theatrical review sheet. This effect is therefore literally self-working. No memorization required. Once you have familiarized yourself with the crib sheet and how it is embedded into the theatrical review sheet you are ready to perform it.]
1st edition 1986, 1st digital edition 2013, 13 pages.