The authors describe practical methods for calculating the Stark structure of Rydberg states of the alkali metals based on diagnolization of the energy matrix. A survey of Stark structures is presented for all of the alkali metals in the vicinity of n= 15. Topics discussed include general methods for evaluating radial matrix elements, the treatment of fine structure, oscillator-strength distribution, scaling laws, the structure of a level anticrossing, and sources of error. Experimental Stark maps are compared with calculated results for lithium and cesium. Experimental studies of the oscillator-strength distribution within a Stark manifold and the structure of a level anticrossing are also presented.