Abstract: The present invention comprises novel methods, compositions and kits comprising monopartite or bipartite target probes and an RNA polymerase to detect and quantify analytes comprising one or multiple target nucleic acid sequences, including target sequences that differ by as little as one nucleotide, or to detect and quantify non-nucleic acid analytes by detecting a target sequence tag that is joined to an analyte-binding substance. The method, called “target-dependent transcription,” consists of an annealing process, a DNA ligation process, a transcription process, and a detection process. The invention also comprises novel methods, compositions and kits for amplifying RNA, including strand-displacement reverse transcription and rolling circle reverse transcription.