Defining story

Four quick paraphrases:

Algis Budrys:

1. A character,
2. in a situation,
3. with a problem,
4. who tries repeatedly to solve the problem,
5. but repeatedly fails, (usually making the problem worse),
6. then, at the climax of the story, makes a final attempt (which might either succeed or fail, depending on the kind of story it is), after which
7. the result is “validated” in a way that makes it clear that what readers saw was, in fact, the final result.

Geoffrey A. Landis:

1. Require the character to make a choice,
2. show that choice through actions, and
3. let those actions have consequences.

Jim Shooter:

Introduce the character (“Little Miss Muffett . . .”), introduce the status quo (“sat on a tuffet, eating her curds and whey”). Establish the antagonist and conflict (“Along came a spider”), build suspense (“and sat down beside her”), increase the conflict (“and frightened Miss Muffet”), and resolve the conflict and provide a denouement all at once (“away”).

Steve Barthelme:

A story follows an active character through emotionally charged experiences which change him or her.