This report reviews the research on text-based interest, defined as those elements within texts that create interest for the majority of readers. Three issues are covered: (1) what kinds of information are considered interesting, both theoretically and empirically; (2) what effects popular strategies for creating interest have on learning outcomes; and (3) how interest influences where students focus their attention in a text. A major finding of the report is that the practice of adding personalized anecdotes and highly interesting but nonessential information to text has a detrimental effect on the learning of important information. The report concludes with suggestions for alternative strategies for creating interest in texts, for educational practice, and for future research. Two tables of data are included, and 62 references are attached. (Author/SR)