Provided herein is a method for the selective amplification of a target nucleotide sequence located within a nucleic acid molecule, the method comprising contacting the nucleic acid molecule (“template” molecule) with (i) at least one facilitator oligonucleotide, wherein the facilitator oligonucleotide includes at least one modification at or near its 3′ terminus such that 3′ extension from the facilitator oligonucleotide is blocked, and (ii) two or more oligonucleotide primers, at least one of which is an initiator primer modified such that the presence of the modification prematurely terminates complementary strand synthesis, wherein the facilitator oligonucleotide and the initiator primer bind to substantially the same or adjacent regions of the template nucleic acid molecule and the facilitator oligonucleotide further comprises sequences complementary to the target sequence 3′ to the binding location of the initiator primer; and carrying out thermocyclic, enzymatic amplification such that the specific target sequence is selectively amplified.