1. A data visualization system for allowing an untrained user to easily, rapidly, and unambiguously specify the content and format of a report about information, the data visualization system comprising a computer processing system, including a display, configured to provide a user interface which: presents a plurality of selectable visualization types to the user, each selectable visualization type specifying a way in which data may be visually presented to the user, the presentation being in a format that allows the user to select at least one of the visualization types from the plurality of visualization types; receives a selection of at least one of the visualization types from the user; presents a plurality of selectable data objects to the user, each selectable data object being associated with data, the presentation being in a format that allows the user to select at least one of the data objects from the plurality of data objects; receives a selection of at least one of the data objects from the user; presents a plurality of selectable data specifications to the user, each selectable data specification specifying a portion of data within the at least one of the data objects which the user has selected, the presentation being in a format that allows the user to select at least one of the data specifications from the plurality of data specifications; receives a selection of at least one of the data specifications from the user; and displays all of the selections which the user makes of the visualization types, data objects, and data specifications as a single composite phrase.