Young man goes to sea - his lover follows him and is told he is drowned - she drowns herself (Early, Early In The Spring) - a ballad?
Man goes into a pub with a penny in his pocket, is invited into a card game - he wins (Penny Wager) - a ballad?
Troop of soldiers come into town, Captain falls in love with a prostitute; she rejects him, he dies -(Pretty Peggy O) a ballad?
Man picks up a girl, they get drunk, go to bed, she steals his clothes and money, he goes looking for her dressed in her clothes. (The Beggar Wench) - a ballad?
Man takes a horse and sells it at the fair, buyer grooms and clips it and sells it back to him at a higher price (Derry Mare) - a ballad?
A ballad is much more than a song with a story.
Howard Jones is quite right - the ballads 'feel' different - but I believe those differences can be identified.
Jim Carroll