Use a staple remover to remove any staples from the papers you want to shred.
Tear your papers into thin strips. You can accomplish this with your hands or with scissors, depending on the thickness of the stack of papers.
Tear the thin strips into tiny squares, paying attention to any areas of the papers that may display sensitive information, such as your name, social security number and address. You should rip the areas displaying sensitive information into even smaller pieces so it becomes virtually impossible to put the pieces back together.
Throw away the shredded papers in a garbage can or a paper recycling bin.