my 96 cavalier just recently started sounding like its missing how do I go about diagnosing and fixing this?

96 Cavalier has misfire diagnostic capability; have the system scanned.
The scan will confirm whether this is a misfire and if bad enough, tell you which cylinder.
The scan will not tell you why it’s misfiring; just that it is.
If this problem is a misfire; it’ll be up to you or the tech to find out why.
Some possibilities are spark plugs, ignition wires, ignition coil(s), vacuum leak(s), injector(s), lack of injector pulse, PCM (computer), engine mechanical and the list goes on.
I don’t want to make this sound impossible for you to find the problem on your own; just don’t want to throw out a bunch of could be’s or maybe’s.
Throwing parts at a car can be a lot more costly then taking it in and have it diagnosed.
Once you find out why the car is doing its thing; you can then decide whether this is something you can handle on your own.

Dan.

Canadian "EH"