To start a class paper:

• Determine the subject or topic. 
• Seek out general information on this topic. This will help you gain a better understanding of the subject and help you focus.
• Consult a Reference librarian or the Reference collection of any of the MATC libraries to collect background information on a topic. The Reference collection contains a wide variety of print resources that provide excellent introductory information on every topic. In addition, many of these Reference books include brief bibliographies or footnotes which list specific books and journal articles to refer to for further information on the given topic.
• Then use the library's computer network to look for additional information for your research paper.