I'm researching this question myself and along the way found this insightful article:
(see link below)
Compare and contrast it with what?
1. Compare 2. Contrast
compare is when you compare two things that are the same and contrast is when you compare two things that are different.
compare and contrast between triangles and a trapezoid
compare and contrast the lakes,wetland and rivers?
Compare.
compare and contrast theory of emotion
The answer depends on what you wish to compare and contrast it with.
compare and contrast of paradise book 1 and book9
compare & contrast the similarities & differences of a relation & function
compare - contrast words:by the same tokenconverselyinsteadlikewiseon one handon the other handon the contraryrathersimilarlyyetbuthoweverstillneverthelessin contrast
compare and contrast nmirian and clare in sons and lovers